Miami city dissolution of marriage records are official court files that show when a marriage legally ended in Miami-Dade County, Florida. These records are kept by the county clerk, not by the city of Miami.
Anyone can search for these records to check if a divorce was filed, see the final judgment, or order a certified copy for legal use.
Where Miami Dissolution Records Are Filed
Dissolution of marriage cases in Miami are filed at the county level. The city does not run its own family court, so all case files sit with the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts. This office stores petitions, court orders, financial documents, and the final judgment that ends the marriage.
Miami-Dade County Clerk’s Office Role
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts acts as the main record keeper for all dissolution of marriage cases filed by Miami residents. The current clerk, Juan Fernandez-Barquin, oversees this office. The clerk accepts new filings, records court decisions, indexes every case by party name, and issues certified copies to the public. All divorce records in Miami pass through this office at some point, whether the case ended in 1980 or last week.
Court System Structure in Florida
Florida runs its court system through 20 judicial circuits, and Miami-Dade County sits in the 11th Circuit. Family law cases, including dissolution of marriage, go through the circuit court in each county. This means a Miami resident files for divorce at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building or one of the satellite courthouses run by the 11th Judicial Circuit. The clerk’s office keeps the official file, while the judge makes the legal decisions.
How to Search Miami Dissolution Records
You have three main ways to look up a Miami dissolution of marriage record: online through the clerk portal, in person at the clerk’s office, or by mail. Each method works for different needs. Online searches are fast but show limited details. In-person visits give you full file access. Mail requests work for older records that may not be online yet.
Online Search Through Clerk Portal
The Miami-Dade Clerk runs a public records search tool on their website. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. The system shows basic case data like the names of both spouses, the filing date, the judge assigned, and the current status. To see the actual documents inside the case, you usually need a paid subscription or an in-person visit. The free search tells you if a case exists and gives you the case number for follow-up.
In-Person Records Request
Going to the clerk’s office in person gives you the most complete access to dissolution records. You can view the full case file, make copies, and request certified documents on the same day. The main clerk office sits at 73 W. Flagler St., Suite 133, Miami, FL 33130. Bring a valid photo ID and know the full legal names of both parties, plus the approximate year of filing. Staff can help you locate the right file using the public access computers on site.
Mail and Phone Requests
For people who cannot visit the office, mail requests work for most record types. Send a written request to the clerk’s office with both full legal names, the approximate filing year, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include payment by check or money order. Phone requests work for basic status checks but cannot be used to order certified copies. The main clerk phone line is 305-275-1155 during regular business hours.
What Records Are Available
The Miami-Dade Clerk keeps several types of dissolution records, and each serves a different purpose. Some records prove a divorce happened, while others show the financial terms. Knowing the difference helps you request the right document.
Case Number Lookup
Every dissolution of marriage case in Miami-Dade County gets a unique case number when it is filed. This number looks like “2023-004567-FC” and stays with the case from start to finish. The case number lookup tool on the clerk website lets you track case progress, see hearing dates, and check if a final judgment was entered. Many legal and government agencies ask for this number when they need to verify a divorce.
Final Judgment Copies
The final judgment is the court order that legally ends the marriage. It includes the judge’s signature, the date the divorce became final, and the terms for property, debts, and any other issues the court decided. A regular copy of the final judgment works for personal records, but legal and government agencies usually need a certified copy with the clerk’s raised seal.
Certified Divorce Decrees
A certified divorce decree is an official copy of the final judgment with a raised seal and the clerk’s signature. This is the document most banks, insurance companies, immigration offices, and other government agencies ask for. The clerk charges a fee for each certified copy, and processing times vary based on the request method and current workload at the office.
Florida Statewide Search Tools
Miami-Dade County is one of 67 counties in Florida, and statewide tools can help when county searches come up empty. These resources also help confirm that county records match state-level data after a divorce is final.
Florida Department of Health Vital Records
The Florida Department of Health keeps a statewide index of dissolution of marriage cases after the county clerk reports them. This index is not as detailed as the county file, but it confirms that a divorce was finalized. You can request a state-level certificate of dissolution through the Florida Department of Health or their authorized vendor, VitalChek. State certificates cost more than county copies but work for many legal needs.
MyFloridaCourtAccess Portal
The MyFloridaCourtAccess portal is a statewide tool that lets you search court records across all 67 counties. You can look up Miami dissolution cases by name, case number, or party type. The portal shows case status, hearing schedules, and basic document lists. Some counties load their full document images, while others only show case summaries. Miami-Dade uploads case summaries and most orders, so this portal works as a backup search tool.
Florida Court Clerks Directory
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website lists every county clerk office in the state. If you are searching for an older Miami divorce that may have been filed in a different county, this directory helps you find the right clerk to contact. Each county has its own search portal, fees, and procedures, so checking the directory first saves time.
Costs and Processing Times
Fees for Miami dissolution records are set by Florida law and the clerk’s office fee schedule. Costs depend on the type of record and how you request it. Processing times also change based on the method and current office workload.
Standard Copy Fees
Regular photocopies of dissolution records cost $1 per page at the Miami-Dade Clerk’s office. You can make copies yourself at the public terminals for free, but you cannot take those free copies out of the office. Printed copies from the public terminal cost the same as counter copies. Most case files run between 20 and 100 pages, so total copy costs range from $20 to $100 for a complete file.
Certified Copy Pricing
Certified copies of dissolution of marriage records cost more than regular copies. The Miami-Dade Clerk charges $7 for the certification plus $1 per page for the document itself. A standard certified final judgment runs about $10 to $15. State-level certificates from the Florida Department of Health cost $19 for the search fee plus an additional fee for each certified copy, with extra charges for rush processing.
Rush Processing Options
Rush processing is available for in-person requests at the Miami-Dade Clerk’s office. Same-day service costs an extra fee and works for most certified copies. Mail requests typically take 2 to 4 weeks to process, depending on the office workload. Online requests through the clerk portal can be processed and mailed within 3 to 5 business days. State certificates through VitalChek offer expedited shipping for an additional fee.
Other Florida Counties for Dissolution Records
Many people search Miami records but find that the case was filed in a different county. Florida lets you file for divorce in the county where you or your spouse lives, so knowing the right county matters. The largest counties in Florida each handle thousands of dissolution cases every year.
Orange County Florida Dissolution Records
Orange County covers Orlando and runs through the 9th Judicial Circuit. The Orange County Clerk of Courts keeps dissolution records for residents in that area. The main office sits at 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801. Orange County offers online case search through their official clerk portal, which works similarly to the Miami-Dade system.
Hillsborough County Divorce Records Lookup
Hillsborough County covers Tampa and operates under the 13th Judicial Circuit. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Courts keeps all dissolution records filed in Tampa, Plant City, and surrounding areas. Their main office is located at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602. The office provides online search tools, in-person access, and mail request options for divorce records.
Broward County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Broward County covers Fort Lauderdale and sits in the 17th Judicial Circuit, right next to Miami-Dade. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains all dissolution records for that county. Their main office is at 201 SE 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Broward offers online records search and same-day certified copies for most cases.
Palm Beach County Florida Divorce Decree
Palm Beach County covers West Palm Beach and runs through the 15th Judicial Circuit. The Palm Beach County Clerk keeps dissolution records for the entire county. Their main courthouse address is 205 N. Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The office provides online search tools and certified copy services.
Duval County Florida Divorce Records
Duval County covers Jacksonville and operates under the 4th Judicial Circuit. The Duval County Clerk of Courts stores all dissolution records for Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Their main office is at 501 W. Adams St., Jacksonville, FL 32202. The office provides online search and certified copy services for divorce records.
Pinellas County Dissolution Records
Pinellas County covers St. Petersburg and Clearwater, running through the 6th Judicial Circuit. The Pinellas County Clerk keeps dissolution records for the entire county. Their main office is at 315 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. The office offers online access and same-day certified copies for most cases.
Lee County Florida Divorce Records Search
Lee County covers Fort Myers and the surrounding area in the 20th Judicial Circuit. The Lee County Clerk of Courts maintains dissolution records for all residents. Their main office sits at 2115 Second St., Fort Myers, FL 33901. The office provides online search tools and certified copy services for divorce records.
Miami-Dade County Clerk Office Contact Details
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts is the official source for all Miami dissolution of marriage records. The office handles new filings, public searches, and certified copy requests. Contact information is listed below for anyone who needs to reach the clerk directly.
Address and Location
The main Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts office sits at 73 W. Flagler St., Suite 133, Miami, FL 33130. This downtown location is easy to reach by public transit, including the Metromover and Metrorail. Parking is available in nearby garages, though rates vary. The building is wheelchair accessible and offers public terminals for records searches.
Hours and Phone
The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, except for court holidays. The main phone number is 305-275-1155. You can also reach the clerk’s office through their website contact form. For specific questions about dissolution records, ask for the records department when you call.
Official Website Links
The official Miami-Dade Clerk website is miami-dadeclerk.com. This site hosts the online records search tool, fee schedules, and forms for requesting certified copies. Additional statewide resources include the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers at flclerks.com, the Florida Department of Health divorce certificates page at floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates, and VitalChek for online ordering at vitalchek.com.
Common Questions About Miami Dissolution Records
People searching for Miami dissolution of marriage records often have similar questions about the process, costs, and legal requirements. The following questions cover the most common issues raised by people who need to find or verify a Miami divorce record. These answers give clear, direct facts based on Florida law and Miami-Dade County clerk procedures.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Certified Copy?
Certified copies of Miami dissolution records are processed the same day for in-person requests at the clerk’s office. You walk in with your ID, pay the fee, and leave with the certified document. Mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks, depending on office workload. Online requests through the clerk portal are processed and mailed within 3 to 5 business days. If you need a state-level certificate through the Florida Department of Health or VitalChek, processing takes 5 to 10 business days plus shipping time. Rush options are available for both county and state requests, with additional fees for faster service.
Can I Search Miami Divorce Records for Free?
Yes, the Miami-Dade Clerk offers free basic searches through their online portal. You can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date at no cost. The free search shows case status, party names, judge assignment, and hearing dates. To see the actual documents or order copies, you need to pay the standard fees. In-person visits also allow free use of the public access terminals, though printing and certified copies have separate charges. The Florida Department of Health charges a search fee even if no record is found, so their service is not truly free.
What Information Do I Need to Start a Search?
To search Miami dissolution records, you need the full legal name of at least one spouse and an approximate filing year. The more information you have, the faster and more accurate the search will be. Helpful details include both spouses’ full names, date of marriage, county of filing, and case number if available. Without a case number, the clerk staff can look up records using the name index, but similar names may require extra time to sort through. If you are searching for an older case from before 1980, expect longer processing times as older records may not be fully indexed online.
Are Miami Divorce Records Public?
Most Miami dissolution records are public, but some sensitive information is sealed by court order. Financial documents, child custody details, and certain personal identifiers may be redacted in public copies. Cases involving minors, domestic violence, or sealed court orders may have restricted access. Anyone listed as a party in the case can access the full file. Attorneys of record and government agencies with proper authorization can also view restricted records. The clerk’s office can tell you which documents are available for public viewing when you submit your request.
How Do I Verify If a Divorce Was Finalized in Miami?
To verify a Miami divorce, search the Miami-Dade Clerk portal using both spouses’ full legal names. If a final judgment was entered, the case status will show “Disposed” or “Closed” with a date. You can also request a verification letter from the clerk’s office that confirms the divorce date and case number. For federal purposes like immigration or Social Security, you need a certified copy of the final judgment or a state-level certificate from the Florida Department of Health. These official documents carry the court seal and serve as legal proof of the divorce.
Can I Get Divorce Records From Another State Through Miami?
No, the Miami-Dade Clerk only handles dissolution records filed in Miami-Dade County. If the divorce was filed in another Florida county, you need to contact that county’s clerk. For divorces filed outside Florida, contact the vital records office in the state where the divorce was granted. The Florida Department of Health can only issue certificates for divorces that were finalized in Florida. Each state has its own procedures, fees, and processing times for out-of-state record requests, so check the specific state’s vital records office for details.
What If I Cannot Find the Record Online?
If an online search does not return results, the case may be too old for the digital index, filed under a different name, or the records may be stored off-site. Visit the Miami-Dade Clerk’s office in person for help with older or hard-to-find cases. The records staff can search physical index books and microfilm for cases from before 1980. You can also contact the Florida State Archives for historical divorce records from very old cases. If the clerk confirms no record exists, they can provide a “no record” letter that confirms the absence of a filed dissolution for the named parties.