The contact us page for dissolution of marriage records gives you clear ways to reach our team when you have questions about Florida divorce records, certified decrees, or court case numbers. We answer questions about how to search Florida divorce records by name, by county, or by case number.
We also point you to the right Florida government office for certified copies.
Reach Our Records Support Team
Our support team reads messages about dissolution of marriage record searches, Florida divorce decree requests, and family court record questions. You can use the contact form on our main website to send your question. We read every message and reply as soon as we can during business hours.
Why People Contact Us About Divorce Records
People write to us for many reasons related to Florida divorce records. Some need to replace a lost divorce decree. Others want to check if a divorce is final. Many ask about the Florida divorce case number search tool. Some need help with the Florida e-portal court records system. We answer general questions and explain where to find each type of record through the right state or county office.
- Locating a Florida divorce case number
- Replacing a lost or damaged decree
- Checking the status of a pending divorce
- Learning which county holds a specific record
- Finding the right clerk of court office
- Getting a certified copy of a final judgment
How to Use the Contact Form Correctly
To get the best reply, write a clear message that tells us what you need. Include the full names of the people on the record if you know them. Add the county where the divorce happened if you know it. Describe what you want to do with the record so we can point you to the correct Florida office.
- Open the contact form on our main website
- Type your full name and email address
- Write a short subject line about your request
- Add all names, counties, and dates you know
- Tell us if you need a certified copy or just a search
- Press the send button to submit your message
Response Times and What to Expect
Our team reads each message in the order it arrives. Most people get a reply within one to three business days. We may take longer during holidays or busy weeks. Our replies include links, phone numbers, and steps to reach the right Florida office for your request.
Official Florida Sources for Divorce Records
Florida divorce records are kept by state and county offices. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics holds statewide birth and death records but only keeps marriage records for some years. Divorce decrees stay with the county clerk of court where the case was decided. Knowing which office to contact saves you time and money.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics Role
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, part of the Florida Department of Health, keeps some vital records but does not store divorce decrees. They handle birth, death, and marriage certificates. For divorce records, you must contact the county clerk where the divorce was granted. The bureau can help you find the right county if you have the date and location of the divorce.
County Clerk of Court Offices
Each Florida county has a clerk of court office that holds divorce case files. These offices store the original dissolution of marriage records, including the final judgment. You can visit the clerk office in person, send a mail request, or use the online search tool on the clerk’s website. Each county charges a small fee for certified copies.
Florida Courts E-Portal System
The Florida Courts E-Portal is a free online search tool that lets you look up court cases from many counties. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. The portal shows basic case details but does not always show the full decree text. For full documents, contact the clerk office directly in your county.
Florida Clerks.com Records Search
Florida Clerks.com is a shared search portal built by several county clerks of court. It pulls case data from participating counties into one search box. You can type a name and see results from multiple counties at once. Not every county joins this portal, so you may still need to check the county clerk’s own website for full records.
| Search Tool | What You Can Find | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Courts E-Portal | Case number, party names, filing date | Free online portal |
| County Clerk Website | Full docket, hearing dates, judgments | County-specific portal |
| Florida Clerks.com | Basic case details from many counties | Free shared search portal |
| Third-Party Search Sites | Basic case details from many counties | Paid subscription sites |
| In-Person Clerk Visit | Complete original records, certified copies | Visit local clerk office |
Florida County Divorce Record Search Guide
Florida has 67 counties, and each one keeps its own divorce records. Large counties like Miami-Dade and Broward have busy clerk offices with strong online search tools. Smaller counties may require mail or in-person requests. Below is a quick look at the most searched counties for divorce records in Florida.
Miami-Dade County Divorce Records
Miami-Dade County divorce records are held by the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts. Their online portal lets you search by party name or case number. You can request certified copies online, by mail, or at the clerk office in downtown Miami. Most requests take five to ten business days to process. The clerk office charges a small fee per page plus a certificate fee.
Broward County Divorce Records
Broward County divorce records are stored by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Their website has a free search tool that shows case numbers and hearing dates. For certified copies of the final decree, you must submit a request with the case number and a valid photo ID. The clerk office serves cities like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pembroke Pines.
Hillsborough County Divorce Records
Hillsborough County divorce records, including those filed in Tampa, are kept by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. You can search online using the clerk’s official records portal. Certified copies cost a small fee and can be picked up at the clerk office or mailed to your address. The clerk office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Orange County Divorce Records
Orange County divorce records, which include cases from Orlando, are stored by the Orange County Clerk of Courts. Their online search tool shows case summaries and party details. You can request certified copies through their website or by visiting the clerk office in person. The clerk charges a copy fee for each page and an extra fee for the certification seal.
Palm Beach County Divorce Records
Palm Beach County divorce records are managed by the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts. Their website offers a free public records search. Certified copies of divorce decrees require a written request, a copy of your ID, and payment of the clerk’s copy fee. The clerk office serves West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and surrounding cities.
| County | Main City | Online Search Available | Certified Copy Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | Miami | Yes | $1 per page plus certificate fee |
| Broward | Fort Lauderdale | Yes | $1 per page plus certificate fee |
| Hillsborough | Tampa | Yes | $1 per page plus certificate fee |
| Orange | Orlando | Yes | $1 per page plus certificate fee |
| Palm Beach | West Palm Beach | Yes | $1 per page plus certificate fee |
How to Get Certified Copies of Divorce Decrees
A certified copy of a Florida divorce decree has a raised or stamped seal from the clerk office. Courts, banks, and other agencies often ask for certified copies instead of regular printouts. You can request certified copies through three main methods depending on your county and how fast you need the document.
Required Documents and Information
To get a certified copy of a Florida divorce decree, you need to give the clerk office certain details. Most clerk offices ask for the full names of both parties on the divorce, the county where the case was filed, and the case number if you have it. You also need a valid photo ID to prove your right to the record.
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Date the divorce was finalized
- County where the case was filed
- Case number if known
- Your relationship to the case
- Valid government photo ID
Online Request Procedures
Many Florida county clerk offices let you order certified copies through their website. You fill out an online form, upload a copy of your ID, and pay the fee with a credit or debit card. The clerk office mails the certified copy to your address or holds it for pickup. Processing times vary by county.
In-Person and Mail Options
If you prefer to visit the clerk office in person, bring your photo ID and the case details. You fill out a short request form and pay the copy fee at the window. For mail requests, send a signed letter with your ID copy, a check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests take longer but work well if you cannot visit.
Replacing a Lost Florida Divorce Decree
Lost divorce decrees can be replaced by contacting the county clerk office that handled the case. The clerk office can print a new certified copy from the original court file. You must show proof of your identity and pay the copy fee. The new copy has the same legal power as the original.
Steps to Request a Replacement
To replace a lost Florida divorce decree, start by finding out which county handled the case. If you do not know the county, use the Florida Courts E-Portal to search by name. Once you know the county, contact the clerk office by phone, online, or in person to request a certified copy of the final judgment.
- Search the Florida Courts E-Portal for the case
- Find the county clerk office that handled the case
- Call or visit the clerk office website
- Fill out the certified copy request form
- Show a valid photo ID
- Pay the copy and certificate fees
- Wait for the clerk to mail or hand you the copy
Fees and Processing Times
Most Florida clerk offices charge about one dollar per page for copies, plus a small certificate fee. Many offices charge between ten and thirty dollars for a full certified copy of a divorce decree. Processing times range from same-day service to ten business days, depending on the county and your request method.
Official resources for divorce records in Florida include the Florida Department of Health website at www.floridahealth.gov, the Florida Courts E-Portal at www.flcourts.gov, and individual county clerk websites such as the Miami-Dade Clerk at www.miami-dadeclerk.com. You can reach the Florida Department of Health by phone at 850-245-4444. Most clerk offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some branches offer extended hours for in-person requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section covers the most common questions people ask about Florida dissolution of marriage records, certified copies, and court searches. Each answer gives you a clear path to the right office or tool. Read through these questions to learn the fastest way to get the record you need for legal, personal, or financial reasons.
Can you pull divorce records for me?
No, we cannot pull official divorce records for you. We are a private information site and not a government office. We do not have access to court files, sealed records, or certified copies. To get an official record, you must contact the county clerk of court where the divorce was granted. We can answer general questions and point you to the right office. Our role is to give you the right steps, phone numbers, and websites so you can do the search yourself. Using the official channels also protects your privacy and makes sure you get a legal document that other agencies will accept.
How long does it take to get a certified divorce decree in Florida?
The time depends on the county clerk office. Some large counties offer same-day certified copies if you visit in person with your ID. Other counties take five to ten business days for mail requests. Online orders often take seven to fourteen days including mailing time. The clerk office prints the copy from the original court file, attaches a seal, and signs the certification. Always check the county clerk’s website for current processing times before sending your request. If you need the decree for an urgent legal matter, call the clerk office and ask about rush service and extra fees.
Are Florida divorce records public?
Yes, most Florida divorce records are public records. You can search the case docket, party names, and filing dates through the county clerk’s online portal. The full divorce decree may be sealed in special cases, such as those involving minors, domestic violence, or sensitive financial details. Sealed records require a court order before the clerk office will release them. To get a sealed record, you must file a motion with the court that handled the divorce. The court will decide if you have a legal reason to see the file. Most people can see the basic case details even when the full decree is sealed.
What if I do not know which county handled the divorce?
If you do not know the county, start by using the Florida Courts E-Portal to search by the full legal name of either spouse. The portal shows the county where the case was filed. You can also try searching old family records, court emails, or attorney letters for clues about where the divorce took place. Another option is to contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for older records, though they may only have limited divorce data. Once you know the county, contact that clerk office by phone, online, or in person to request the record you need.
Can I search Florida divorce records by name for free?
Yes, you can search many Florida county divorce records by name for free through the county clerk’s online portal or the Florida Courts E-Portal. These tools show case numbers, party names, and filing dates without charge. The Florida Clerks.com shared portal also lets you search several counties at once for free. Certified copies always cost a fee set by the clerk office, usually one dollar per page plus a small certificate fee. Free searches give you the basic case details but not the full decree text.
Do I need a lawyer to get a copy of my divorce decree?
No, you do not need a lawyer to get a copy of your own divorce decree. As a party to the case, you have the right to request a certified copy directly from the clerk office. Simply bring your photo ID and the case details to the clerk window, or submit a request online or by mail. If you want a copy of someone else’s decree, you can still request it as a public record unless the file is sealed. A lawyer is only needed if you want to challenge a sealed record, file an appeal, or change the terms of an old divorce.
What is the difference between a divorce record and a divorce decree?
A divorce record is the full court file that includes all documents filed during the case, such as petitions, motions, financial affidavits, and orders. A divorce decree, also called a final judgment, is the specific document that ends the marriage. Most people need the final judgment for legal purposes like remarriage, name changes, or property transfers. The full record is useful when you need to see how the court decided issues like child custody, support, or asset division. Both come from the county clerk office where the case was decided.