Bradford County dissolution of marriage records are official court files that show when a marriage ended in Bradford County, Florida. These records include the case docket, the final judgment, and any supporting paperwork filed with the local court.
People search these records to confirm a divorce, get a certified copy for legal use, or check the status of a pending case. The Bradford County Clerk of Court keeps the original files, and the Florida Department of Health keeps a statewide certificate index. This page shows how the county system works, how online search tools operate, and what steps give you the right copy for your purpose.
Office That Holds These Records
The Clerk of Court for Bradford County is the main office that files and stores dissolution of marriage records. The clerk also serves as the county recorder, which means many of the same files appear under both court records and official records. When a petition is filed, the clerk assigns a case number and adds the case to the court index. When the judge signs the final judgment, the clerk stores the signed document and sends a report to the state health office. Knowing how this workflow runs helps you pick the right search tool and avoid wasting time.
Clerk of Court Role
The clerk handles every step that involves a paper file in Bradford County. This includes accepting new petitions, collecting filing fees, docketing hearings, and issuing certified copies. The clerk cannot give legal advice, but staff can tell you which forms you need and how to submit them. The clerk also runs the official records search that shows recorded documents. Because court records and official records sometimes overlap, a complete search often checks both systems.
Office Contact Details
The Bradford County Clerk of Court is led by Clerk Denny Thompson. The office sits at 945 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091. The phone number for the clerk’s office is 904-966-6280. The clerk’s website is bradfordclerk.com. Hours for the recording and court records desks run during normal business hours on weekdays. Calling ahead helps you confirm the right division before you visit, since different desks handle court files, marriage licenses, and certified copies.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Court | Denny Thompson |
| Address | 945 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091 |
| Phone | 904-966-6280 |
| Website | bradfordclerk.com |
| Circuit | Florida Circuit Court (8th Circuit) |
| Desk Hours | Weekday business hours |
Online Search Portals
Online portals give you a fast first look at any case filed in Bradford County. You can check the spelling of names, confirm filing dates, and pull docket entries before you visit the office. Each portal covers a slightly different slice of the records, so a complete search uses more than one tool. The county portal is best for recent filings. The statewide system is best for older cases that may have been moved or archived.
County Clerk Website
The Bradford County Clerk website at bradfordclerk.com links to official records search and court records search tools. The official records tool shows recorded documents. The court records tool shows case dockets. You can search by name, party type, and date range. Results show the case number, filing date, and document type. The image below shows the county clerk homepage where these tools are linked.
The official records search page sits inside the clerk site as well. Dissolution judgments often appear here once they are recorded. The image below shows the Bradford official records search page.
Statewide Court Records System
The Florida court records system, sometimes called OCRS, pulls docket data from counties across the state. Bradford County records feed into this tool after the clerk indexes the case. The OCRS link for Bradford County is civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/04. Search by name or case number, then look at the docket list to find the final judgment entry. The image below shows the Bradford County court records OCRS page.
E-Filing Portal
Attorneys and self-represented filers submit new petitions through the Florida e-filing portal at myflcourtaccess.com. The portal accepts petitions, responses, and motions for family cases. When you create an account, you can also pull a list of cases linked to your user name. Even people who file on paper can check the portal to see if a new case has been added to the docket.
Request Process Step by Step
The request process for a dissolution of marriage record runs in three steps: search, request, and pickup. Each step has small choices that affect how fast you get the file and what format you receive. A clear plan helps you avoid repeat visits and extra fees. The clerk staff handle many requests each day, so a complete request makes their job easier too.
Search First
Start with an online search to confirm the case exists and to pull the case number. Use the exact spelling that appears on court filings. Include the year range, the county, and both spouse names when possible. If the case is older, the docket may show archive notes that point to a different office. The search step lets you write the correct names on the request form and skip extra review time.
In-Person Visit
Visit the clerk office in Starke for certified copies, older files, or any case where the online index does not list the document you need. Bring a photo ID and your search notes. Tell the clerk the case number, the names of both spouses, and the type of record you want. Staff will pull the file, calculate copy and certification fees, and process your order on the spot for most files.
Certified Copy Costs
The clerk charges a set fee per page plus a certification fee for each certified copy. Exact fees change over time, so call 904-966-6280 to confirm the current rate before you visit. Accepted payment types include cash, check, money order, and in many cases, card. Ask for a receipt and keep it with your file for tax, legal, or name-change use later.
Florida Laws That Apply
Florida statutes set the rules that govern every dissolution of marriage filed in the state, including those in Bradford County. These laws cover who can file, what grounds apply, and how the court enters the final judgment. County clerks apply these rules to every case. Reading the statutes gives you a clear picture of the legal framework that drives the records you search.
Residency Rule
Florida Statute 61.021 states that one spouse must have lived in Florida for at least six months before filing a petition. The petition is filed in the circuit court for the county where the filing spouse lives. Bradford County sits in the 8th Judicial Circuit. If neither spouse meets the six-month rule, the court cannot grant a final judgment, even if both spouses agree to the dissolution.
Grounds for Dissolution
Florida Statute 61.052 lists the grounds for dissolution of marriage in Florida. The main ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. One spouse must state this in the petition. The court may also grant a dissolution when one spouse has been mentally incapacitated for at least three years. The Bradford County Clerk dockets the petition under the ground stated by the filing spouse.
Timing of Final Judgment
Florida Statute 61.019 sets a minimum delay before a court can enter a final judgment of dissolution. In a regular case, the court waits at least 20 days after the petition is served. The court may shorten the delay in cases that show proper cause. Florida Statute 61.043 governs the start of the proceeding in circuit court. Property and debt division rules appear in Florida Statute 61.075.
Reporting to State Health Office
Florida Statute 382.023 explains how the county clerk sends a report to the Florida Department of Health after a final judgment. This report creates a statewide index entry for the dissolution. The county record and the state record may be added at different times because the report runs after the judgment. A search that finds no state record yet does not mean the judgment does not exist.
Other Florida Counties for Comparison
Florida has 67 counties, and each county clerk runs its own court records system. Bradford County is a smaller, rural county, so its office handles fewer cases than large urban counties. The request steps are similar across the state, but online tools and office hours vary. Knowing how large counties handle requests helps you plan for statewide searches when a case was filed outside Bradford County.
Large County Resources
Orange County, Miami-Dade County, Hillsborough County, Broward County, Duval County, Pinellas County, and Palm Beach County all run their own clerk portals with online search tools. These large counties process thousands of family cases each year, so their systems tend to load more case types into online indexes. The clerk websites for these counties follow the same pattern as bradfordclerk.com, but each portal uses its own search filters.
Smaller County Pattern
Smaller Florida counties, like Bradford County, tend to handle fewer cases and use a simpler docket structure. Many smaller counties still scan older paper files in batches, which means a case from the 1990s or earlier may take longer to pull. When you cannot find a record online for an older Bradford County case, an in-person visit often solves the problem faster than another online search.
Statewide Certificate Option
The Florida Department of Health runs the Office of Vital Statistics, which holds statewide abstracts of dissolution records. A statewide certificate is shorter than a full court judgment and works for many agencies that only need proof that a marriage ended. The state office accepts requests online, by mail, and in person at certain locations. You can reach the state divorce certificate page at floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates. State certificates show the names of both spouses, the county of record, and the date the court entered the judgment. The full judgment, including property terms and parenting plans, stays with the county clerk.
Self-Help and Legal Support
People who file on their own can use free self-help resources from the Florida Courts. The self-help page at flcourts.gov/Services/Family-Courts/self-help-information explains basic procedure and form routing. The Florida family law forms page lists every approved form for family cases, including the petition for dissolution and the final judgment form. The DIY Florida interview tool at flcourts.gov/sandbox/florida-courts-help/diy-florida helps you build court documents by answering simple questions. Court staff cannot give legal advice, but the self-help program can point you to the right form for your situation.
Bradford County Cities and Filing
Bradford County includes the city of Starke and several smaller communities. Dissolution of marriage records are filed at the county level, not at city hall. A person who lives in any city inside Bradford County files the petition at the Bradford County Clerk office in Starke. City offices do not handle family court filings. If you need a state certificate for use in another state, the Florida Department of Health handles that request based on the county where the judgment was entered.
Bradford County Office Details
Office Name: Bradford County Clerk of Court. Official: Denny Thompson. Address: 945 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091. Phone: 904-966-6280. Website: bradfordclerk.com. Office Hours: Weekday business hours, Monday through Friday. Recording Division: Handles official records search. Court Division: Handles family case dockets and certified copies. Email: Check the clerk website for current staff email listings.
Common Questions
Below are clear answers to the questions people ask most about Bradford County dissolution of marriage records. Each answer focuses on what a person needs to do, where to go, and what to expect from the clerk or the state office.
How do I find a Bradford County divorce record by name?
Use the official records search on bradfordclerk.com or the OCRS search at civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/04. Enter the full name of either spouse, select the date range you believe the case falls within, and run the search. If you find the case, write down the case number for any follow-up request. If the search shows no results, try a wider date range or check spelling variations.
Can I get a certified copy online?
The Bradford County Clerk does not issue certified copies through a fully online ordering system. You must request a certified copy by mail, by phone, or in person. The clerk charges a set fee per page plus a certification fee per document. Call 904-966-6280 to confirm the current fees before you pay.
How long does a final judgment take?
Florida law sets a minimum delay of 20 days after service of the petition before a court can enter a final judgment, unless the court waives the delay. Many uncontested cases reach final judgment in 30 to 90 days, depending on docket timing and how fast both spouses submit paperwork. Contested cases can take many months.
What is the difference between a county record and a state certificate?
The county record is the full court file, including the final judgment, property orders, and parenting plans. The state certificate is a short abstract that confirms the marriage ended, lists the names, and shows the county and date. Agencies that only need proof of divorce accept the state certificate. Legal matters involving property or children often require the full county judgment.
Are older records available online?
Records from recent years are usually indexed online. Older records, especially those from the 1980s and earlier, may only exist in paper form or scanned batches. If you cannot find an older case online, visit the clerk office in Starke and ask staff to check the archive index. Bring full names and a year range to speed the search.
Do I need a lawyer to get my divorce record?
No. You can request your own record by filling out the request form at the clerk office and paying the copy and certification fees. The clerk will not give legal advice, but staff will tell you which form to use. If your request involves a sealed record, a court order may be required before the clerk can release the file.
Can I request a record from another Florida county the same way?
Yes. Each Florida county clerk follows the same general request process. You can search the county clerk website for the county where the case was filed and follow the same steps: search online first, then visit or mail a request for a certified copy. Large counties like Orange, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Broward, Duval, Pinellas, and Palm Beach all run their own clerk portals with similar search tools.