Orange County dissolution of marriage records are official court files that show when a marriage legally ended in Orange County, Florida. These records help people confirm a divorce judgment, obtain a certified decree copy, or check the status of a family court case.
The Orange County Clerk of Court keeps these files at 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801. You can search the records online through the clerk website, request them by mail, or visit the office in person during business hours. This page explains how the records work, what details you need for a search, and how to compare them with filings from other Florida counties.
What Dissolution of Marriage Records Mean
Dissolution of marriage is the legal term Florida uses for divorce in court filings. When a circuit court judge signs a final judgment, the case becomes part of the public court record. Anyone may ask for a copy of these records for personal review, legal filings, or background checks. The records show the names of both spouses, the case number, the date filed, and the date the court issued the final judgment. Florida uses the same case files for all divorce-related matters, including child support, custody, and property division.
Legal Definition of Dissolution
Florida law uses the word dissolution in place of divorce on official court documents. Florida Statute 61.042 states that a marriage may be dissolved by court order. The final judgment ends the marriage and settles issues like property, debts, parenting, and support. Once the judge signs the judgment, the clerk adds the case to the official court index for public review. The same statute governs every county in Florida, including Orange County.
What These Records Contain
A standard dissolution file includes the petition, the summons, financial affidavits, and the final judgment. The final judgment is the most requested document because it shows the date the marriage legally ended. Some files also contain parenting plans, support orders, and property settlement agreements based on the case facts. Each document carries the case number and the assigned judge name for tracking purposes.
Dissolution Versus Divorce Records
There is no legal difference between dissolution and divorce in Florida. The terms describe the same court action ending a marriage. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics uses the word divorce on its certificates, while circuit courts use dissolution in case filings. Both words refer to the same final judgment that ends a marriage under Florida law. The clerk keeps both terms in the same database.
Where Orange County Stores These Files
Orange County dissolution of marriage records stay with the Clerk of Court for the Ninth Judicial Circuit. The clerk indexes the case, stores the file, and issues certified copies for legal use. Some summary data also goes to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for statewide tracking under Florida Statute 382.023. Knowing which office holds which document saves time when you submit a request for certified copies or background checks.
Orange County Clerk of Court
The Orange County Clerk of Court is the main office for these records. The clerk, Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq., runs the office at 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801. The office phone number is 407-836-2000. The clerk website is orangeclerk.com. The office handles filings, indexes cases, and issues certified copies for a per-page fee plus a certification fee. The office also runs the court records search portal for the public.
Florida Court System Role
Florida circuit courts hear family law cases, which include dissolutions. Orange County sits in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which also covers Osceola County. The clerk supports the judges by filing paperwork, keeping docket records, and giving public access to case files. The statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com gives a starting point for case searches across all Florida counties, including Orange County.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps a statewide index of divorce certificates. The bureau does not keep the full court file with all attachments. It only keeps a summary sent by the county clerk under Florida Statute 382.023. People who need a statewide certificate for a name change, remarriage, or immigration case often use the bureau instead of the county clerk.
How to Search Orange County Records
Orange County gives three ways to search dissolution records. You can search online, visit the clerk office, or send a written request by mail. Each way works for different needs. Online search gives quick results for case status. In-person visits help when you need staff help locating older records. Mail requests work for people who live outside Orange County or cannot visit during office hours.
Online Search Through Clerk Portal
The Orange County Clerk of Court runs an online records search at orangeclerk.com. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. The portal shows basic case data, hearing dates, and final judgment dates. The search is free to use for everyone. You only pay when you request a copy of a document for download or print. The portal updates daily with new filings.
In-Person Records Request
You can visit the clerk office at 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 during business hours. The office opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except court holidays. Bring a photo ID and the details of the case. Staff can pull the file and make copies while you wait or by the next business day. The public records desk handles most family law searches.
By Mail Request
Mail requests work for people who cannot visit in person. Send a written request with the full names of both spouses, the year of filing, and the type of document you need. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the copy fee. Mail requests take longer to handle than in-person visits. The clerk accepts mail at the same Orlando address during all business days.
Required Data for a Record Search
A complete search request gives the clerk enough detail to pull the right file. Missing details slow down the search. The more facts you can supply, the faster the office returns your results. Some searches work with only a name and year, while others need a full case number for exact matches.
Basic Identification Details
The clerk needs the full legal names of both spouses. Use the spelling that appears on the court documents. Include the year of filing or the year of the final judgment. If you know the city where the couple lived, share that too. These details help narrow the search across millions of court records. Middle names or date of birth can also speed up the lookup.
Case Number Lookup
Every dissolution case has a unique case number. The number starts with the year, then a sequence code, then the division code. Example formats include 2024-DR-001234 or 2023-DM-005678. If you know the case number, the clerk can pull the file without a name search. The case number stays the same throughout the life of the case.
Document Type Selection
Decide which document you need before you submit the request. The clerk can give you the full case file, the final judgment only, or a certified copy of the judgment. Certified copies cost more but carry a court seal for legal use in courts, banks, or government offices. Plain copies work for personal review, genealogy, or informal background checks.
Certified Copy Versus Standard Copy
Orange County gives two types of copies for dissolution records. A standard copy shows the document text without any official seal. A certified copy includes a court seal and a clerk signature for legal proof. The type you need depends on how you plan to use the document in a court case or with another agency.
Cost Differences
Standard copies cost less per page than certified copies. The clerk charges a fee per page for both types, with an extra certification fee for certified copies. As of 2026, certified copies cost more per document than plain copies. The clerk website lists current fees before you submit a request. Each certified copy carries a separate court seal and clerk signature for authentication.
Legal Use Cases
Certified copies are required for most legal filings, such as a name change, remarriage, immigration case, or property transfer. Banks and government offices also ask for certified copies to confirm marital status. Standard copies work for personal reference, genealogy research, or informal background checks. The court seal on certified copies confirms the document came from the official court file.
Turnaround Time
In-person requests for standard copies often finish the same day at the public counter. Certified copies take longer because the clerk must sign and seal each page with the official court stamp. Mail requests add postal time on top of the clerk handling time. Plan ahead if you have a court deadline or travel date coming up soon.
Florida Dissolution Filing Rules
Florida has clear rules about who can file for dissolution and how the process works. The rules apply to every county, including Orange County. Knowing these rules helps you read case files with better context. The same statutes also help you check whether a final judgment followed state law.
Residency Requirements
Florida Statute 61.021 requires one spouse to live in Florida for at least six months before filing. The filing spouse must also live in the county where they file for at least 30 days before the petition. These rules stop people from filing in Florida just to get a faster divorce. The clerk checks residency during case intake.
Filing Steps
Filing begins with a petition filed with the circuit court. The other spouse receives a summons and has 20 days to respond in writing. Both sides exchange financial documents through mandatory disclosure rules. The court holds hearings and may order mediation before the final hearing. The judge signs a final judgment that ends the marriage and resolves all related issues.
Waiting Period Rules
Florida Statute 61.019 sets a minimum 20-day waiting period between filing and the final judgment for cases without minor children. Cases with minor children have a longer minimum period of about 45 days. The court can shorten the wait only for clear and valid reasons shown in the case file. The clerk records the wait time in the docket.
Other Florida Counties for Comparison
Orange County is one of 67 counties in Florida. Each county keeps its own dissolution records under the same state law. If you need records from a different county, the steps are similar but the contact details change. The table below shows five of the largest Florida counties for quick comparison. Each clerk office runs its own search portal under state guidelines.
Miami-Dade County Records
Miami-Dade County is the largest county in Florida by population. The Clerk of Courts office sits at 73 W. Flagler St., Miami, FL 33130. The clerk runs an online search portal at miamidadeclerk.gov. Miami-Dade case numbers often start with the year and a family division code. The office handles a high volume of family filings each year.
Hillsborough County Records
Hillsborough County covers Tampa and nearby cities. The Clerk of Court office is at 419 Pierce St., Tampa, FL 33602. The online portal is at hillsclerk.com. Hillsborough uses a similar search format to Orange County. Most case data goes back to the 1970s online through the same portal system.
Broward County Records
Broward County sits between Palm Beach and Miami-Dade on the Atlantic coast. The Clerk of Courts office is at 201 SE 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The website is browardclerk.org. Broward handles a high volume of family cases because of its large population and urban density. The search portal works by name and case number.
Palm Beach County Records
Palm Beach County covers the West Palm Beach area. The Clerk of Court office is at 205 N. Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The clerk portal is at clerk.org. Palm Beach indexes cases by name and case number through a single search box. The office also handles marriage license filings for the same county.
| County | Office Address | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County | 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 | orangeclerk.com |
| Miami-Dade County | 73 W. Flagler St., Miami, FL 33130 | miamidadeclerk.gov |
| Hillsborough County | 419 Pierce St., Tampa, FL 33602 | hillsclerk.com |
| Broward County | 201 SE 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | browardclerk.org |
| Palm Beach County | 205 N. Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | clerk.org |
Office Contact and Location Details
The Orange County Clerk of Court handles dissolution records for all cities in Orange County. The office sits in downtown Orlando and is easy to reach by car, bus, or rideshare. Public parking is available near the courthouse for visitors with case business. Below are the full contact details and office hours for the clerk office. You can call ahead to confirm counter hours before visiting.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq. |
| Office Address | 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 |
| Phone Number | 407-836-2000 |
| Website | orangeclerk.com |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Circuit | 9th Judicial Circuit |
| Main Search Portal | orangeclerk.com (Court Records Search) |
| Statewide E-Filing | myflcourtaccess.com |
| Forms Library | flcourts.gov (Family Law Forms) |
Frequently Asked Questions
People who search Orange County dissolution of marriage records often ask similar questions about access, fees, timelines, and legal use. The answers below cover the most common issues raised by requesters. Each answer reflects Florida law and Orange County Clerk of Court policy as of 2026. Contact the clerk office directly for case-specific help with a pending matter. Always confirm the latest fees before submitting a paid request.
Are Orange County dissolution records public?
Yes. Florida court records, including dissolution of marriage filings, are public under state law. Anyone can search the case index by name or case number through the Orange County Clerk of Court portal at orangeclerk.com. Basic case data such as filing date, party names, and final judgment date appear in search results without charge. Some sealed records, such as those involving minors, adoption, or sensitive personal data, are not public. The clerk can tell you if a file is sealed when you submit a search request. Sealed records require a court order before any copies can be issued. Most routine background checks, remarriage paperwork, and genealogy searches work fine with the standard public records. You only need to prove a legal reason if the case is sealed by court order.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
In-person requests for certified copies often finish within one business day at the public records desk. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days after the clerk receives your letter, plus return mail time through the postal service. Rush service may be available at the counter for an extra fee. Call the clerk office at 407-836-2000 to ask about rush options before you submit your written request. The clerk cannot guarantee same-day service for mail requests because of postal delays and staff workload. Plan ahead for immigration cases, court deadlines, or travel dates that require certified copies in hand. Always include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your mail request to speed up return delivery.
Can I search dissolution records for free?
The online search at orangeclerk.com is free. You only pay when you download or print a document, or when you ask for a certified copy of a court record. The clerk fees are listed on the website under the public records section. Third-party websites may charge more for the same data, but the official clerk portal gives the same records at the standard rate. Free search results show party names, case numbers, filing dates, judgment dates, and judge assignments. Paid copies include the full document text, signatures, and court seals. The clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and most major credit cards at the public counter for in-person requests.
What if I do not know the case number?
You can search by the full legal names of both spouses and the year of filing. The clerk online portal returns a list of cases with matching names across all family divisions. If you have too many results, narrow the search by adding a middle name or a specific year range. The clerk staff can help you with a name search at the public counter during business hours. Bring a photo ID and any details you already know about the case. The clerk can also search by date of birth or Social Security number with proper identification. Older cases from before the 1970s may need an archive search at the back records desk.
Difference Between Certificate and Decree
A divorce certificate is a short summary issued by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. A divorce decree is the full court order that ends the marriage, issued by the circuit court clerk. The decree has more detail, including property division terms, custody arrangements, child support orders, and alimony awards. The clerk of court issues decrees with a court seal. The bureau issues certificates with a state seal for vital records purposes. Most legal agencies accept either document for proof of divorce, but certified copies of the decree carry more weight in court filings. Banks and insurance companies often ask for the decree when processing name changes or beneficiary updates after a divorce.
Can I get records from another Florida county?
Yes. Every Florida county clerk keeps its own dissolution records under the same state court system. You can search each county online portal or contact the county clerk directly by phone or mail. The Florida Courts portal at myflcourtaccess.com gives a starting point for statewide case searches across all 67 counties. Out-of-state requests may need a notarized signature or extra identification for certified copies. Each county charges its own fees based on local rules, though the per-page rates stay close across the state. Always call the destination clerk office before sending a mail request to confirm current fees, accepted payment types, and processing times.
What if the case is very old?
Older cases may be stored on microfilm or in archive boxes at the Orange County courthouse. The Orange County Clerk office keeps most cases back to the 1970s online through the main search portal. Cases from before the 1970s may need a manual search at the archive desk. Staff can pull older files with a name, year, and case type. Archive requests often take longer to handle because staff must locate physical files or run microfilm readers. The clerk charges a search fee plus per-page copy fees for archive records. Call ahead to ask about archive hours before visiting the office for older case files.