Fort Lauderdale city dissolution of marriage records are kept and managed by Broward County court offices, not by any city agency in Fort Lauderdale itself. People who live in Fort Lauderdale and want to find, view, or request a copy of a divorce file must work through the Broward County Clerk of Court, the Florida Department of Health, or approved statewide portals.
This page gives a clear city-focused path for finding Fort Lauderdale city dissolution of marriage records, checking court status, requesting certified copies, and using the right office for each step of the process.
Why Fort Lauderdale Records Go Through Broward County
Florida family law cases, including dissolution of marriage, fall under the jurisdiction of the circuit court in the county where the filing took place. Fort Lauderdale sits inside Broward County, so every divorce case filed by a Fort Lauderdale resident gets handled by the Broward County circuit court system. No Fort Lauderdale city office stores, indexes, or certifies these records.
County-Level Court Authority
The circuit court has full authority over divorce cases. The clerk of court in each county acts as the record keeper. The clerk stores petitions, financial disclosures, final judgments, and all other case documents. When someone needs a certified copy of a Fort Lauderdale dissolution of marriage record, the Broward County Clerk of Court issues it.
City vs County Jurisdiction
The City of Fort Lauderdale handles local matters such as zoning, streets, water, and parks. Family law cases do not fall under city jurisdiction. Anyone searching Fort Lauderdale city dissolution of marriage records should skip city offices and go straight to county and state resources. Using the wrong office only delays the search.
Broward County Clerk of Court Filing Office
The Broward County Clerk of Court manages all dissolution of marriage filings for Fort Lauderdale residents. This office holds case files, indexes party names, and issues certified copies to the public. Visitors can use the office in person, by mail, or through online portals.
Main Office Location and Contact
The main Broward County Clerk of Court office sits at 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. This courthouse sits in downtown Fort Lauderdale, close to the county government complex. Visitors can park in nearby public garages and walk to the clerk window for in-person records requests.
Office Hours and Visitor Details
The clerk’s office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except court holidays. Visitors should arrive before 3:30 p.m. for same-day certified copies because processing takes time. A valid photo ID is required for any certified record request, and proof of relationship may be needed for sealed cases.
Phone and Online Access
The clerk’s office phone line is 954-831-6565. Callers can ask about case status, fees, and document types before visiting. The clerk website at browardclerk.org lets users search by party name, case number, or filing date. Online requests for certified copies are available through the same portal.
How to Search Fort Lauderdale Dissolution Records
A simple four-step search works for most Fort Lauderdale city dissolution of marriage records. Following the steps in order cuts down on errors caused by similar names or outdated indexes.
Step 1: Gather Case Details
Before starting a search, collect the full legal names of both parties, the year of filing, and the case number if known. Court cases older than 20 years may not appear in digital indexes. Knowing the filing year helps the clerk pull the right file from the paper archive.
Step 2: Use the Broward Clerk Portal
Open browardclerk.org and click the public records search link. Enter the last name of either spouse in the family case search box. Add a year range if the search returns too many results. The portal shows case number, judge, filing date, and final judgment status.
Step 3: Check Florida Statewide Tools
Some records appear in the statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com. This portal combines case data from all 67 Florida counties. Users can search by party name across counties at the same time. The statewide search helps when a Fort Lauderdale resident filed divorce in another county.
Step 4: Verify the Final Judgment
After finding the case number, request a copy of the final judgment from the Broward Clerk. The judgment contains the divorce date, custody terms, and asset split. A plain copy costs less and works for casual review. A certified copy carries the court seal and works for legal use.
Florida Statewide Divorce Records Tools
Florida offers several statewide tools that help Fort Lauderdale residents locate and request dissolution records. Each tool serves a different purpose, and users should pick the one that fits their goal.
Florida Department of Health Divorce Certificates
The Florida Department of Health issues divorce certificates, not full court judgments. A certificate proves a divorce happened and lists both parties and the date. The Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps these certificates on file statewide. The Department of Health website at floridahealth.gov lets users order certificates online or by mail.
Florida e-Filing Portal
The Florida e-Filing portal at myflcourtaccess.com allows users to submit divorce petitions and check case status. Registered users get alerts on case events. The portal also lets attorneys file documents without paper copies. Self-represented filers can use the same portal after creating a free account.
Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website at flclerks.com lists all 67 county clerks in one place. Each county clerk entry includes address, phone, and website. The site helps users find the right county clerk when a record sits outside Broward County.
VitalChek Ordering Portal
VitalChek is the approved vendor for online vital records orders in Florida. Users can order a divorce certificate through vitalchek.com and pay a small service fee. The portal accepts major credit cards and ships certificates by mail. VitalChek orders skip the in-person line at the Department of Health.
Florida Statutes That Govern These Records
Florida statutes set the rules for dissolution of marriage cases across every county. Fort Lauderdale residents follow the same state laws as residents in Miami, Tampa, or Jacksonville. Knowing the key statutes helps users understand what to expect during a search.
Florida Statute 61.021 Residency Rule
Florida Statute 61.021 requires that at least one spouse live in Florida for six months before filing for divorce. The spouse files in the circuit court of the county where they live. Fort Lauderdale residents file in Broward County circuit court under this rule.
Florida Statute 61.052 Grounds for Dissolution
Florida Statute 61.052 lists the legal grounds for divorce. Florida allows no-fault divorce based on the marriage being irretrievably broken. Fault-based grounds include adultery, cruelty, and desertion. Most Fort Lauderdale dissolutions use the no-fault ground.
Florida Statute 61.043 Filing Commencement
Florida Statute 61.043 explains how a spouse starts a divorce case. The filing spouse submits a petition for dissolution of marriage with the circuit court clerk. The clerk assigns a case number and schedules the case with a family law judge.
Florida Statute 61.019 Final Judgment Timing
Florida Statute 61.019 sets the timing for the final judgment. Most simple dissolutions get finalized 30 to 90 days after filing. Cases with children, complex assets, or contested issues take longer. The clerk records the final judgment once the judge signs it.
Florida Statute 61.075 Asset Distribution
Florida Statute 61.075 covers the fair split of marital assets and debts. Judges look at length of marriage, income, and contributions when dividing property. Fort Lauderdale cases with high-value homes or businesses often involve detailed asset reviews.
Florida Statute 382.023 Vital Statistics Reporting
Florida Statute 382.023 requires the court clerk to report final judgments to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Department of Health adds the report to its statewide database. This reporting step makes the divorce certificate available for ordering through state channels.
Certified Copies and Document Fees
The cost of records varies based on the document type and how the request is submitted. Fort Lauderdale residents should plan for fees before starting a search.
What a Certified Copy Includes
A certified copy of a divorce judgment bears the court seal and the clerk’s signature. The seal proves the document is an official court record. Certified copies are required for name changes, remarriage, immigration cases, and financial settlements.
Standard Fee Schedule
The Broward Clerk charges a base fee for certified copies plus a per-page charge. As of 2026, certified copies start at $2.00 per document with an additional $1.00 per page. Search fees apply when the clerk must look up a file by name. Mail requests include postage and handling.
Accepted Payment Methods
In-person requests accept cash, money order, and major credit cards. Mail requests require a money order or certified check. Online requests through the clerk portal or VitalChek accept credit and debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted for mail orders.
| Service Type | Cost (2026) | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy (in person) | $2.00 + $1.00/page | Same day |
| Certified Copy (by mail) | $2.00 + $1.00/page + postage | 7 to 14 days |
| Online Certified Copy | $2.00 + $1.00/page + service fee | 3 to 5 business days |
| Plain Copy | $1.00/page | Same day |
| Divorce Certificate (Department of Health) | $10.00 | 5 to 10 business days |
Fort Lauderdale vs Other Florida Counties
Florida residents often compare Fort Lauderdale record searches with searches in nearby counties. Each county runs its own clerk office with similar but not identical rules.
Miami-Dade County Divorce Records
Miami-Dade County handles the largest case volume in Florida. The Miami-Dade Clerk website offers a similar online search portal. Fort Lauderdale residents who filed divorce in Miami-Dade must contact that county clerk directly for certified copies.
Palm Beach County Divorce Records
Palm Beach County borders Broward County to the north. The Palm Beach County Clerk serves West Palm Beach and nearby cities. Palm Beach uses the same statewide e-filing portal as Broward, so case search results look similar in both counties.
Hillsborough County Divorce Records
Hillsborough County covers the Tampa area. The Hillsborough Clerk uses a separate online portal for record searches. Fort Lauderdale residents with Tampa ties can search Hillsborough records through the statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com.
Orange County Florida Divorce Records
Orange County covers the Orlando area. The Orange County Clerk website offers name-based record search. Orlando-area divorces appear in the same statewide portal used by Broward County filers.
Duval County Divorce Records
Duval County covers the Jacksonville area. The Duval County Clerk serves Jacksonville residents. Fort Lauderdale residents with Jacksonville cases can use the statewide portal or contact the Duval Clerk directly for certified copies.
Common Reasons People Search These Records
Fort Lauderdale residents search dissolution records for many reasons. Each reason leads to a different type of document request.
Remarriage and Name Changes
People preparing to remarry often request a certified divorce judgment to prove they are legally single. Name changes after divorce require a certified copy of the judgment when updating a Social Security card, driver’s license, or passport. The Social Security Administration and DMV accept clerk-certified copies.
Property and Financial Disputes
Property splits after divorce sometimes lead to disputes years later. Banks, title companies, and lenders may ask for a certified divorce judgment to confirm ownership transfers. Fort Lauderdale’s high-value real estate market often triggers these late-stage record checks.
Background Checks and Genealogy
Background check firms pull public divorce records to verify marital history. Genealogists use divorce records to confirm family tree branches. Fort Lauderdale’s diverse population creates a high volume of genealogy searches through both clerk offices and state vital records.
Broward County Office Details
Fort Lauderdale residents can reach the Broward County Clerk of Court through the office, phone, or website listed below.
- Official Website: https://www.browardclerk.org/
- Phone Number: 954-831-6565
- Main Office Address: 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed court holidays)
- Family Division Page: https://www.browardclerk.org/Divisions/Family
- Florida Department of Health Divorce Records: https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates/
- Statewide Court Portal: https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/
- Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers: https://www.flclerks.com/
- VitalChek Ordering Portal: https://www.vitalchek.com
- Florida Family Law Forms: https://www.flcourts.gov/Services/Family-Courts/domestic-relations-court-resources/family-law-forms
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions cover the most common concerns from people searching Fort Lauderdale city dissolution of marriage records. Each answer points to the correct office, form, or process so users can take the next step without delay.
Can I find Fort Lauderdale divorce records online for free?
Yes. Basic case lookup is free through the Broward Clerk website at browardclerk.org and the statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com. These portals show case numbers, party names, filing dates, and final judgment dates. Certified copies and full document images carry fees. Users who only need to confirm a divorce happened can use the free search tools without paying.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a divorce decree in Florida?
Walk-in requests at the Broward County Clerk office are processed the same day if filed before 3:30 p.m. Mail requests take 7 to 14 business days. Online requests through the clerk portal or VitalChek take 3 to 5 business days. Rush services are available for an extra fee. Plan ahead when the document is needed for travel or court deadlines.
What is the difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree?
A divorce certificate comes from the Florida Department of Health and proves a divorce was recorded statewide. A divorce decree is the full court judgment that includes custody, support, and property terms. Certificates work for most personal needs like name changes. Decrees are needed for legal matters involving property, custody, or financial disputes.
Are Fort Lauderdale divorce records public?
Most dissolution records in Florida are public. Court case files, judgments, and dockets are open to anyone who asks. Sealed records are limited to judges and the parties named in the case. Financial disclosures in older cases may have restricted access. Public access laws allow searches for legal, personal, or research purposes.
Can I search by maiden name or former name?
Yes. The Broward Clerk index lists the names used at the time of filing. Search by either spouse’s full legal name, including maiden names. Names that changed after divorce appear in the original case index. The statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com combines indexes across counties, making cross-name searches easier.
What if I do not know the year of the divorce?
Start with a broad year range and narrow down based on results. The Broward Clerk portal accepts searches without a year filter. If results are too wide, add a five-year range at a time. Call the clerk at 954-831-6565 for help narrowing the search. The clerk can confirm whether the file is in the digital index or paper archive.
Can I get a Fort Lauderdale divorce record if it was filed in another county?
Yes. Florida residents often file in a different county from where they live. The statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com searches all 67 counties at once. Once the right county is found, contact that county clerk for certified copies. Each county has its own fee schedule and processing times for record requests.