Monroe County dissolution of marriage records are court files that prove a marriage ended through the Florida court system. These records include the petition, the final judgment, and the case docket.
People search them to confirm a divorce, request a certified copy, or check case history. Monroe County handles these records through the Clerk of Court, which sits inside the 16th Judicial Circuit. The same office holds both the court file and the official record index. State agencies also keep a separate abstract through the Florida Department of Health. This page explains where the records live, how to search them, and what steps to take to get a copy you can use.
What Are Monroe County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
A dissolution of marriage record in Monroe County is a set of court papers that ends a marriage. The final judgment is the main page. It lists both spouses, the judge, the case number, and the date the marriage ended. Supporting papers include financial affidavits, parenting plans, and settlement agreements. The clerk stores these papers in the court file. A second copy goes to the state vital records system.
Court File Versus State Abstract
The court file holds the full case. It shows motions, hearings, and the final judgment. The state abstract is a short summary. It lists the names, the county, and the date of the final judgment. Use the court file for legal proof. Use the state abstract when another agency needs a short form.
What The Records Look Like
Each case has a docket number in a year sequence. The case style shows both last names, like “Smith v. Smith.” The final judgment carries a court seal and the judge’s signature. Older files before 1970 may be in paper only. Files after 1970 are usually scanned into the clerk’s online system.
Who Files These Records In Monroe County
The Monroe County Clerk of Court files and stores these records. The current clerk is Kevin Madok, CPA. The main office sits at 500 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040. The phone number for the clerk’s office is 305-292-3963. The clerk runs the 16th Judicial Circuit court records system.
Clerk Office Contact Details
Visit the clerk’s website at monroeclerk.com to start a search. The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office may close on court holidays. Call the clerk before you drive to the office to confirm hours and counter workflow.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Kevin Madok, CPA |
| Address | 500 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040 |
| Phone | 305-292-3963 |
| Website | monroeclerk.com |
| Judicial Circuit | 16th |
| Office Hours | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mon-Fri |
State Office That Holds Divorce Abstracts
The Florida Department of Health keeps statewide divorce abstracts. Their office processes requests for short-form certificates. The website is floridahealth.gov. Their division handles birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. County clerks send reports to this office after the final judgment is entered.
How To Search Monroe County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Most people search the Monroe County clerk’s online portal. The portal lets you look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. The free search shows basic case data. Paid copies cost extra. You can also visit the clerk’s office in Key West for older files that may not be online yet.
Name Search Steps
Start at the clerk’s public records search page. Type the last name of either spouse. Add a first name if you have it. Pick a year range to narrow the list. Click search. The result page will show all matching cases filed in Monroe County.
- Go to monroeclerk.com
- Click the court records search link
- Type the last name of one spouse
- Enter a year range if known
- Review the case list for the correct match
- Open the case detail page for full docket
Case Number Search
If you already have a case number, type it in the case number box. The system opens the docket right away. The docket shows every filing, hearing, and judgment. This is the fastest way to find a known case.
Searching Records Filed Before 1970
Older files may sit in paper archives. Some of these files have been scanned. Others need a manual pull. Call the clerk’s office and ask for the records department. They will tell you if the file is in storage and how long the request will take. A small research fee may apply.
How To Get A Certified Copy Of A Monroe County Divorce Decree
A certified copy of a Florida divorce decree is a court-issued page with a raised or stamped seal. Banks, courts, and federal agencies ask for it. The Monroe County clerk issues these copies. You can order in person, by mail, or online through the clerk’s certified records service.
What You Need For The Request
The clerk will ask for full names of both spouses, the year of the judgment, and the case number. A valid photo ID is required for in-person pickup. Mail requests need a signed form and a copy of your ID.
Certified Copy Fees In Monroe County
Florida clerks charge a set fee for each certified copy. The fee covers the search and the certification seal. Additional pages or rush service may cost more. Contact the Monroe clerk for the current fee list before you pay.
Mail Request Steps
Write a short request letter. Include both full names, the case number, and the year. Add a copy of your ID. Include a check or money order for the fee. Mail the packet to the clerk’s office address. Allow 5 to 10 business days for processing.
Florida Divorce Records Online Lookup Tools
Florida offers statewide tools to check case data. These tools cover all 67 counties. They help when you do not know which county holds the file. The Florida Courts e-filing portal also lists active cases. Use it to track a case that is still moving.
Florida Official Records Search
The myfloridacounty.com official records search covers recorded documents. It includes some final judgments. Not every case shows up here. The clerk’s office is still the best source for a full court file.
Florida E-Filing Portal
The portal at myflcourtaccess.com lets lawyers and the public file and view cases. Registered users can see the full docket. New users can set up a free account to search public cases.
Florida Dissolution Of Marriage Records By County
Florida lets you file for divorce in the county where either spouse lives. Most people file in the county where they have lived for at least six months. The clerk in that county holds the file. A case filed in Orange County will not show up in a Monroe County search.
Other Florida County Clerk Searches
Florida has 67 county clerks. Major ones include Orange County, Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Hillsborough County, Duval County, Palm Beach County, and Pinellas County. Each clerk runs a separate online search. Use the same name search steps for any Florida county.
| County | Clerk Website |
|---|---|
| Orange County | occompt.com |
| Miami-Dade County | miamidadeclerk.gov |
| Broward County | browardclerk.org |
| Hillsborough County | hillsclerk.com |
| Duval County | duvalclerk.com |
| Palm Beach County | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
| Pinellas County | pinellasclerk.org |
Florida Dissolution Of Marriage Statute And Filing Rules
Florida statutes control who can file and when. The main rules sit in Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes. The clerk follows these rules for every case in the Monroe County court.
Six Month Residency Rule
Under Florida Statute 61.021, one spouse must have lived in Florida for at least six months before filing. The court can dismiss a case that does not meet this rule. Save proof of residency in your case file.
Twenty Day Minimum Delay
Florida Statute 61.019 sets a 20-day minimum period before the court enters a final judgment. The court can shorten this period in some cases. Most simple dissolutions still take at least a few weeks to finish.
Grounds For Dissolution
Florida Statute 61.052 lists the grounds. The marriage must be irretrievably broken. Mental incapacity is a second ground in narrow cases. Most no-fault dissolutions use the irretrievable breakdown standard.
How Records Move To The State
Florida Statute 382.023 requires the clerk to report each final judgment to the Department of Health. The state abstract may take weeks to appear after the county file is closed. Always check the county first for the most current data.
Florida Divorce Record Authentication And Apostille
Some agencies need an apostille on a Florida divorce decree. An apostille is a state seal that proves the document is real for use in another country. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles.
When You Need An Apostille
You need an apostille when a foreign country asks for one. Common cases include remarriage abroad, immigration, or property deals in another country. A regular certified copy is not enough for these uses.
How To Order An Apostille
First, get a certified copy of the decree from the Monroe County clerk. Next, send the certified copy to the Florida Department of State with the apostille request form. Pay the apostille fee. The state office will return the document with a raised seal.
Florida Annulment Records And Other Family Court Files
Florida courts also handle annulments. An annulment voids a marriage as if it never happened. The clerk files annulment records in the same court system as dissolutions. Use the same search tools for both types of cases.
Where Annulment Records Sit
Annulment records sit in the same clerk office that handles dissolution cases. The case style will say “In re the marriage of” or list one spouse as petitioner. The final judgment voids the marriage.
Adoption And Paternity Records
Adoption and paternity cases also move through the same family court. These files are sealed in many cases. Access to sealed records needs a court order. The clerk can tell you the steps to ask the court for access.
Common Uses For Monroe County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
People request these records for many reasons. A certified copy proves the marriage ended for legal, financial, or personal needs. Here are the most common uses.
Name Change After Divorce
Many people change their name back after a divorce. The Social Security Administration asks for a certified copy of the final judgment. The DMV and passport office also need the same form. The Monroe County clerk can issue the certified copy you need.
Remarriage Proof
Clergy and marriage license offices ask for proof of divorce before a new marriage. A certified copy works for this purpose. Bring the certified copy to the new marriage license office before the wedding.
Financial And Tax Matters
Banks, lenders, and the IRS may ask for a certified copy to update marital status. Keep a certified copy in a safe place. You can also use the state abstract from the Florida Department of Health for some federal tax filings.
Monroe County Dissolution Of Marriage Records For Genealogy
Family historians also use these records. Divorce cases list full names, dates, and sometimes places of birth. They also show children, property, and other family data. The Monroe County clerk holds records back to the early 1900s.
Where Older Records Sit
Older files may sit in paper archives or in off-site storage. The clerk can pull them for a small research fee. Some older files have been scanned into the online system. Call the clerk to check the status of a specific file.
Records After 1970
Files filed after 1970 are usually scanned and online. Use the clerk’s online portal to view the docket. Order certified copies through the same portal or in person.
Florida Dissolution Of Marriage Records Request Form And Online Ordering
The Monroe County clerk offers a request form on the website. Fill in the names, case number, and year. Choose the type of copy you need. Pay the fee by credit card online. The clerk will mail the certified copy to you.
Online Ordering Steps
Open the clerk’s certified records page. Pick the type of record. Fill in the case data. Upload a copy of your ID. Pay the fee. The clerk will process the request and mail the copy to the address on file.
In-Person Pickup
Visit the clerk’s office in Key West. Bring a photo ID. The clerk will pull the file and print the certified copy. You can pay by cash, check, or card at the counter.
Florida Dissolution Of Marriage Records Free Search Options
You can search the Monroe County clerk database for free. The search shows case style, filing date, and case number. Viewing the docket is also free. You only pay when you request a printed or certified copy.
Limits Of Free Search
The free search does not include scanned documents. You need a paid copy or an in-person visit to see the actual file. Free search works best to confirm a case exists and to find the case number.
Statewide Free Search
The Florida Courts portal offers free searches for all counties. Use it to find a case in a county other than Monroe. The same name search steps apply to any Florida county.
Monroe County Dissolution Of Marriage Final Judgment
The final judgment is the last page in a dissolution case. It states the court grants the dissolution. It lists the terms for property, support, and children. The clerk stamps and files this page after the judge signs it. A certified copy of the final judgment is the legal proof of divorce.
What The Final Judgment Shows
The final judgment shows the date the court entered the order. It shows the judge who signed the page. It lists the case number, the case style, and the full names of both spouses. It also shows the terms for any children or property.
Why The Final Judgment Matters
Most agencies need the final judgment, not the full case file. The judgment is the short proof. It works for name changes, remarriage, and federal forms. Order the certified copy from the clerk for these uses.
Monroe County Clerk Official Links And Contact
Monroe County Clerk of Court, 500 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040. Phone: 305-292-3963. Website: monroeclerk.com. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Florida Department of Health: floridahealth.gov. Florida Courts e-filing portal: myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Official Records search: myfloridacounty.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Monroe County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
People ask many questions about Monroe County dissolution of marriage records. The following answers cover the most common requests, including fees, certified copies, and statewide searches. Each answer gives clear steps and points to the right office. Use these answers to plan your request before you contact the clerk.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Certified Copy From Monroe County?
Most certified copy requests take 3 to 5 business days by mail. Online orders often ship within 2 business days. In-person pickup happens the same day if the file is already in the clerk’s office. Older files in storage may take longer. The clerk will tell you the expected time when you submit the request.
Can I Search Monroe County Divorce Records For Free?
Yes. The Monroe County clerk website lets you search case data at no cost. The free search shows names, case numbers, and filing dates. You only pay when you order a printed or certified copy. Use the free search first to confirm a case exists and to find the case number.
What Is The Difference Between A Dissolution And A Divorce In Florida?
There is no legal difference. Florida law uses the term “dissolution of marriage.” The case type on the docket still says “dissolution of marriage.” Most people call it a divorce in daily life. The court records and state certificates use the formal term.
How Do I Find A Florida Divorce Record From The 1980s?
Start with the Monroe County clerk online portal. Files after 1970 are usually scanned. If the file does not show up online, call the clerk’s office and ask for the records department. They can pull older files from paper storage. A small research fee may apply for manual pulls.
Do I Need A Lawyer To Get A Certified Copy Of A Divorce Decree In Florida?
No. You can order a certified copy yourself. The clerk only needs full names, the year, and a valid ID. Lawyers help with the case itself, not with copy requests. If you need the certified copy for a legal matter, a lawyer can also use the same clerk request process.
What If The Divorce Happened In Another Florida County?
Each Florida county clerk holds its own case files. You must request the certified copy from the county where the case was filed. The Florida Department of Health can also issue a statewide abstract that covers any Florida county. Use the county clerk for a full certified copy.
Can A Divorce Record Be Sealed In Monroe County?
Yes. A court can seal a dissolution file in narrow cases. Sealed records need a court order to open. The clerk will tell you the steps to ask the court for access if you have a legal reason. Most routine dissolution records are public and open for search.