Calhoun County dissolution of marriage records are court files that show a marriage was legally ended in this Florida county. The Clerk of Court keeps these records in Blountstown.
People search these files for legal proof, family history, or personal reasons. This page covers how to search the records, what you can get, how much it costs, and which laws apply in 2026.
Where to Find Calhoun County Dissolution Records
Calhoun County keeps its own court files in the county seat. State agencies keep separate records. Knowing which office holds which file saves time. Each office stores a different layer of the same case.
The County Clerk’s Role
The Calhoun County Clerk of Court is the main place to start. The clerk holds the original case file, the docket sheet, and the final judgment. Robin “Cissy” Barfield runs this office. Her team indexes cases by name, year, and case number. The clerk also issues plain and certified copies for a fee.
The clerk’s office is at 20859 Central Avenue E., Room 130, Blountstown, FL 32424. The phone line is 850-674-4545. Walk-in help is open during normal business hours, which are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Call before you visit because hours can shift by division or staffing.
| Office Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Robin “Cissy” Barfield |
| Street Address | 20859 Central Avenue E., Room 130 |
| City, State, ZIP | Blountstown, FL 32424 |
| Phone | 850-674-4545 |
| Judicial Circuit | 14th Judicial Circuit |
| Website | calhounclerk.com |
| Counter Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday |
Statewide Court System Links
Florida runs one court system across 67 counties. The state portal helps when you need statewide forms or e-filing. Use the state site for filing new cases, but use the county clerk for old records. The state index does not always link to the original document.
The Florida e-filing portal is myflcourtaccess.com. Approved family law forms live at flcourts.gov under Family Courts. The self-help section explains procedure for people without a lawyer. Staff at the self-help program can answer form questions, but they cannot give legal advice.
Florida Department of Health Records
The Florida Department of Health runs a separate divorce certificate program. This program started in 2024 and grew in 2025 and 2026. It gives certified statewide certificates for events from June 2024 forward. The state program is best for people who need a certificate for name change, insurance, or out-of-state use.
The state program page lives at floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates. The Calhoun County clerk does not process these state certificate orders. The state health office sends you a certificate that looks like a birth certificate. The county clerk still holds the full case file and final judgment.
How to Search These Records
Most people search in three steps. First, check the county online index. Second, narrow by name and year. Third, order the copy you need. Each step is simple when you have basic details ready.
What You Need Before You Start
Strong searches need real details. Pull together these items before you contact any office. The clerk uses spelling, dates, and case numbers to match your request to the file.
- Full legal name of each spouse at the time of filing
- Approximate year the case was filed or closed
- Case number if you have it from a prior request
- Type of record you want: index entry, decree, or certified copy
- Phone or email so the clerk can reach you about payment or pickup
If you do not know the year, give a narrow range first. Then expand the range if no match shows up. The clerk charges per page, so a smaller search saves money.
Online Search Tools
Start at calhounclerk.com. The site links to the Official Records search and the Court Records search. Court Records shows case dockets and final judgments. Official Records shows recorded documents like deeds and liens, but it also includes some family filings.
Type the last name first, then the first name. Add a year if you can. The search returns a list of matching cases. Click the case to see the docket, parties, and final judgment date. From the docket screen, you can request copies online or by mail.
For older files, the index may only have the case number and the parties. The scanned document is the final source. Always confirm the index with the file before relying on it for legal use.
This image shows the Calhoun County clerk homepage, which is the first stop for online searches. The portal lists both court and official records tools.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in service is good for same-day copies. Bring a photo ID. The clerk pulls the file while you wait, in most cases. For files older than 20 years, the clerk may need time to retrieve boxes from offsite storage. Plan a return trip or ask for mail delivery.
You can pay by cash, check, money order, or card at most counters. Card machines may add a small fee. Bring exact details so the clerk does not have to search by partial name. A wrong spelling in a 1990s case file is common because typing rules changed.
Costs, Copies, and Time Frames
Fees and wait times change each year. The numbers below reflect the 2026 fee schedule for Florida clerks. Always confirm the fee when you place your order, because the Florida Legislature can update the rate.
Standard Copy Fees
Standard copies are unofficial. They show the same text as the original but do not carry the court seal. Standard copies work for personal records, genealogy, and many business checks. The fee is set per page.
As of 2026, the standard copy fee in Florida counties is $1.00 per page. A typical final judgment runs 3 to 8 pages. Add certification if you need the seal.
Certified Copy Fees
Certified copies carry the court seal and a clerk signature. Banks, insurance, federal agencies, and other courts often require a certified copy. The clerk charges a per-document certification fee on top of the page fee.
The 2026 certification fee is $2.00 per document, plus the per-page copy fee. A certified 5-page judgment costs about $7.00 total. Rush service, when available, costs more.
| Record Type | Per Page | Certification | Total Example (5 pages) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Copy | $1.00 | Not included | $5.00 |
| Certified Copy | $1.00 | $2.00 | $7.00 |
| Rush Certified Copy | $1.00 | $2.00 plus rush fee | $15.00 (approx.) |
| State Certificate (DOH) | Flat fee | Included | $30.00 (approx.) |
How Long It Takes
Walk-in requests at the counter take 15 to 45 minutes for modern files. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days plus mail time. Email requests through the clerk portal often clear in 1 to 3 business days.
Files in offsite storage add 1 to 2 weeks. Files from before 1980 are more likely stored offsite. The clerk can give you a date range when you call. Plan ahead for time-sensitive needs like court deadlines or travel.
Florida Laws That Apply
Florida statutes control who can file, when they can file, and how records move between agencies. The statutes below shape the records you can get from the Calhoun County clerk.
Residency Rules
Florida Statute 61.021 requires one spouse to live in Florida for at least 6 months before filing for dissolution. The filing spouse must also be a resident of the county where the case is filed for at least 6 months in some cases, though circuit court residency is the main rule for filing venue. This rule affects what records exist in which county.
If a couple lived in Calhoun County for the required time, the case stays in Calhoun County. If they moved during the case, the file may have been transferred. The clerk can tell you which county holds the original file based on the first filing date.
Timing of Final Judgment
Florida Statute 61.019 sets a 20-day minimum period between filing and entry of final judgment for cases with minor children. For cases without minor children, the same statute sets a 20-day minimum, unless waived. The court can shorten or lengthen this period in special cases.
This timing rule means new filings are not final right away. A search the day after filing will only show a pending case, not a final decree. Wait until the final judgment is entered before you request a certified copy of the decree itself.
Reporting Between Agencies
Florida Statute 382.023 controls how counties send records to the state health office. The clerk sends a report to the Bureau of Vital Statistics after a final judgment is entered. The state office then adds the case to its index.
This reporting flow creates a delay. A case closed in March may not show in the state system until May or June. The county file is always the first source. The state index is best for cross-county searches.
Other Florida Counties for Comparison
Calhoun County is small. Larger counties run different systems. Comparing systems helps you pick the right office for your search. Each county runs its own clerk portal, but the state forms stay the same.
Larger County Systems
Orange County, Miami-Dade County, Hillsborough County, Duval County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County serve hundreds of thousands of residents. Their online portals offer name search, case number search, and date range search. Their record rooms hold more staff, so phone wait times run shorter on average.
Pinellas County runs a similar system. Each large county has a dedicated family court division. Their file retrieval is fast for recent cases. For cases filed in the 1980s or earlier, even large counties may need offsite retrieval time.
Smaller County Systems
Calhoun County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit with Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. Smaller counties share resources. The clerk offices cross-train staff and share some offsite storage. A request for a 1970s case in Calhoun County may take longer than the same request in a large urban county.
The small size of the county is a benefit for direct service. Staff know the files well. Phone calls often reach the clerk who filed the original case. This local knowledge is hard to match in a large county.
Common Problems and Fixes
Most search issues come from missing details or old records. Each problem has a simple fix. The fixes below work for Calhoun County and most other Florida counties.
Name Spelling Issues
Names change due to marriage, divorce, or court order. A search for the current last name may miss a case filed under a prior name. Search all known name versions. The clerk can also pull a multi-name index if you give a date of birth or Social Security number for the parties.
A birth date helps the clerk match a case when two people share the same name. Birth date is not always in the index. The clerk may need to look at the petition page, which is sealed in some old cases.
Old Paper Records
Cases filed before 1990 may only exist on paper or microfilm. The clerk can pull microfilm and print copies for a fee. Paper files that are fragile may need scanning before copies can be made. This adds days to the request.
Ask the clerk about format options. Some old files can be emailed as a PDF scan. Other files must be printed at the counter. Email is faster and cheaper for large old files.
Wrong County Filer
Some searchers pick the wrong county. Florida requires filing in the county where the filing spouse lives. A person who moved during the case may have filed in a different county than where the marriage happened. The clerk can confirm which county holds the file if you give the spouse’s county of residence at the time of filing.
When the wrong county is used, the clerk can point you to the right office. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site at flclerks.com lists every county clerk with contact details.
Calhoun County Clerk Contact
The clerk’s office handles all requests for records. Phone, mail, email, and walk-in service are all options. The map below shows the office location in Blountstown.
Office Address and Map
The Calhoun County Clerk of Court sits on Central Avenue East in downtown Blountstown. The office is in Room 130 of the county courthouse. Parking is free at the courthouse lot. Enter through the main door and ask the front desk for the records counter.
The map shows the courthouse in Blountstown, the seat of Calhoun County. Public parking is at the front of the building.
Phone and Hours
Call 850-674-4545 to reach the records desk. The line is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Closed on Florida state holidays. The clerk returns voicemail the next business day in most cases.
Mailing address for written requests: Calhoun County Clerk of Court, 20859 Central Avenue E., Room 130, Blountstown, FL 32424. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the copy fee. Write the case number or party names on the check memo line.
This image shows the clerk contact page, which lists the phone number, address, and hours for the office.
Online Portal Links
Main site: calhounclerk.com. Court Records search: calhounclerk.com under Court Records. Official Records search: myfloridacounty.com/official_records. E-filing portal: myflcourtaccess.com. Statewide forms: flcourts.gov. State divorce certificates: floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates.
Official website: calhounclerk.com (not clickable, copy and paste into your browser). Phone: 850-674-4545. Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday. Mailing address: 20859 Central Avenue E., Room 130, Blountstown, FL 32424.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common issues people face when searching Calhoun County dissolution of marriage records. Each answer is based on Florida law, clerk practice, and the 2026 fee schedule. Read the question that matches your need, then place your request through the right office.
How do I get a certified copy of my divorce decree from Calhoun County?
Contact the Calhoun County Clerk of Court at 850-674-4545 or visit 20859 Central Avenue E., Room 130, Blountstown, FL 32424. Bring a photo ID and the case number, names, and year of the case. The clerk charges $1.00 per page and a $2.00 certification fee per document in 2026. Walk-in requests clear the same day for modern files. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days plus mail time. The certified copy carries the court seal and a clerk signature. Banks, insurance companies, and other courts accept this format. The state Department of Health certificate is a separate product and is not the same as a clerk certified copy. Pick the clerk certified copy for court and legal use. Pick the state certificate for name change, insurance, and out-of-state use.
Can I search Calhoun County divorce records for free?
Yes, the index search at calhounclerk.com is free. You can see case number, names, filing date, and final judgment date without paying. The free search shows index entries only. The full document costs a per-page fee. The free search works for cases filed from the late 1990s forward. Older cases may not be in the free index. The clerk can search older files for free by phone, but the copy still costs money. The state health certificate site at floridahealth.gov charges a flat fee for statewide certificates. There is no way to view the full document online for free. The free tools are best for confirming a case exists. Pay for the copy when you need the actual document.
What if I do not know the exact year of the divorce?
Give the clerk a date of birth for each spouse and a date range of marriage. The clerk can run a name search across a year range at no extra cost. A five-year range is a good start. The clerk reports back the matching cases by year. You then pick the right case and pay for the copy. If the date range is too wide, the clerk may charge a research fee for searches that take more than 30 minutes. Start narrow and expand only if needed. The clerk can also search by Social Security number with proper ID, which is the fastest way to match a case.
How long does it take to get divorce records from the clerk?
Walk-in service for modern files takes 15 to 45 minutes. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days plus mail time in each direction. Email requests through the portal take 1 to 3 business days. Old paper files stored offsite add 1 to 2 weeks. The clerk does not offer same-day delivery by email for paper files. Plan ahead for court deadlines, travel, or time-sensitive legal work. The clerk can rush a request for an extra fee. The rush fee in 2026 is about $10.00 on top of the copy and certification fees. Ask for rush service when you place the order.
Are older paper records available from Calhoun County?
Yes, but with limits. The clerk keeps files on paper, microfilm, and scanned image. Files from before 1980 are often on microfilm. Files from 1980 to 2000 are a mix of paper and microfilm. Files from 2000 forward are scanned to image. The clerk can pull microfilm and print or email a copy. Microfilm pull takes 1 to 2 weeks. Print quality is good for most cases. Some 1960s files are faded. The clerk flags faded files so you know the copy is partial. Genealogy researchers should expect to review multiple microfilm rolls for a full family history.
Can out-of-state residents request Calhoun County divorce records?
Yes, anyone can request. Florida law allows public access to most dissolution of marriage records. Sealed records are an exception and need a court order. Out-of-state requesters use the mail or email option. The clerk accepts checks, money orders, and credit card payment by phone. Mail the request with a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. The clerk returns the certified copy by mail. Email requests get a PDF scan. The PDF is not a certified copy, so use it for personal reference and order the mailed certified copy for legal use. The clerk does not charge extra for out-of-state requests.
What is the difference between a court record and a vital record?
A court record is the full case file. It includes the petition, summons, financial forms, and final judgment. The county clerk holds this file. A vital record is a short certificate with the names, date, and county. The Florida Department of Health holds the statewide certificate for events from June 2024 forward. Older events are on file at the county but not at the state. Use the court record for legal proof of the terms of the divorce. Use the vital record for personal status, name change, and out-of-state benefits. The two records do not replace each other. Many people need both for a full file.