Pinellas County dissolution of marriage records are court files that prove a marriage legally ended in Florida. People need them to remarry, update banks, settle property, change a name, or check a legal fact.
This page shows where these records sit, how to ask for them, what they cost, and which laws control them. You will also see how Pinellas compares to other large Florida counties. Follow the steps here to get a plain copy or a certified decree without long delays.
Where These Records Are Filed in Pinellas County
Dissolution of marriage records sit in two main places. The county court office keeps the full case file. The state health office keeps a short statewide summary. Most people start at the county because the full decree is there. The state copy is best when you need a fast certificate for a new marriage license.
The Pinellas County Clerk of Court
The Pinellas County Clerk of Court stores every family case file for the county. This includes the petition, the docket, the motions, and the final judgment. The clerk signs and seals the certified copy when you need proof for another office. The current clerk is Ken Burke, CPA. His office sits at 315 Court St., Room 400, Clearwater, FL 33756. You can call the clerk at 727-464-3341. The web portal is pinellasclerk.com.
Florida Department of Health Role
The Florida Department of Health, also called DOH, keeps a statewide summary of each divorce. The summary is called a dissolution of marriage certificate. The DOH does not hold the full decree. The DOH gets its copy from the county clerk after the court signs the final order. Many state and federal agencies accept the DOH certificate in place of the full decree. You can order it at floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates.
How Records Move From Court to State
Florida Statute 382.023 sets the path. After the court signs the final judgment, the clerk sends a report to DOH. DOH then adds the case to its vital statistics index. This step can take weeks or even months after the court date. So the county clerk is always the faster source for new cases. Older cases are usually already in both systems and match cleanly.
Types of Dissolution Records You Can Get
Three record types cover most requests. Each one has a different cost, a different use, and a different office. Pick the one that fits your goal before you pay any fee.
Case Index and Docket Sheet
The docket sheet is a one-page list of every event in the case. It shows filing dates, party names, and a short note for each motion or order. The docket is free to view on pinellasclerk.com. Print copies cost the standard per-page fee. The docket is good for a quick check but is not proof of divorce.
Final Judgment and Decree
The final judgment is the full court order that ends the marriage. It lists the judge, the date, and the terms. Banks, title companies, and courts usually want the full decree. A certified copy of the decree carries the clerk seal and counts as legal proof in every state.
DOH Vital Statistics Certificate
The DOH certificate is a one-page summary that lists the names, the county, and the date the court closed the case. It does not list property, support, or custody. The DOH certificate is accepted by Social Security, the passport office, and most new marriage license offices. It is faster than a full decree for simple proof of divorce.
Online Search Portals You Can Use
Three free search tools cover Pinellas dissolution of marriage records. Each tool has a different job. Use them in order to get the cleanest result. Always start with the county clerk site because it has the deepest local index.
Pinellas County Clerk Website
The clerk site at pinellasclerk.com lets you search court records by name. You can pull up case numbers, party names, and docket dates. The site shows scanned images of many filed papers. You will need a free account for full docket views. The site also lists hours, fees, and printable forms.
Florida e-Filing Portal
The state e-filing portal at myflcourtaccess.com handles new cases and filings. It also lets lawyers and self-represented users pull case records. Self-represented users can register and view their own case file. The portal works best when you already know a case number. First-time users may need help from the clerk to set up a login.
Florida Official Records Search
The Florida Official Records site at myfloridacounty.com covers recorded documents such as marriage licenses, deeds, and liens. It does not hold every divorce decree. Use it to check related public filings. Pinellas dissolution of marriage records in this index will be thinner compared to the clerk site. It is still a useful cross-check.
Step-by-Step Request Process
A clear plan keeps the request short. Most requesters finish in one to three days when the case is already scanned. Older files may take two to four weeks because they sit on microfilm. Use the steps below in order.
Details You Need Before You Start
Gather these facts before you place a request. Missing data slows the search and may add a fee. The clerk will compare what you send against the petition spelling, so exact matches matter.
- Full legal name of each spouse at the time of the case
- Approximate year the case was filed or closed
- Case number if you already have it from a prior search
- The county where the case was filed (Pinellas here)
- Type of copy you need: plain, certified, or exemplified
- Your contact details and a clean mailing address
Online Request Steps
Follow these steps to order a copy through the clerk portal. Keep your case number and receipt for your own files.
- Open pinellasclerk.com and click the court records search link.
- Type one spouse’s last name and pick a narrow year range.
- Open the matching case and write down the case number.
- Click the certified copy request link or the public records form.
- Add your contact info and pay the fee by credit or debit card.
- Wait for the email that lists pickup or mail options.
- Download or pick up the copy once the clerk marks it ready.
In-Person and Mail Requests
You can walk into the clerk office or send a mailed request. Bring or send a photo ID for any in-person visit. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for mailed returns. Mail requests to 315 Court St., Room 400, Clearwater, FL 33756. In-person visits are best for older files that have not been scanned yet because staff can pull the microfilm on the spot.
Fees for Copies and Certified Documents
Fees can change from time to time. Always confirm the current price on pinellasclerk.com before you pay. The numbers below reflect common fee ranges used by Florida clerks. A quick phone call can confirm the latest amount.
Regular Copy Costs
A plain paper copy of a court document usually costs one to two dollars per page. Many clerks add a small technology fee on top of copy charges. Long cases add up fast, so narrow your request to only the pages you need. A typical final decree runs between five and fifteen pages, depending on property and children issues.
Certified Copy Costs
A certified copy adds a clerk signature and a raised or stamped seal. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Many Florida clerks charge a few dollars per document plus the per-page fee. Each certification counts as one charge even when many pages are stapled together. The clerk will write the certification total on your receipt.
Ways to Pay the Clerk
The Pinellas clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. Card payments may carry a small service fee. Online orders must be paid by card. Mail orders should include a check or money order to avoid delay. Do not send cash through the mail because it cannot be tracked or refunded.
Florida Laws That Shape These Records
Florida statutes set the rules for every dissolution case. These rules decide who can file, when a court can sign off, and how the file is shared with the state. Pinellas follows the same statutes as every other Florida county.
The Six-Month Residency Rule
Florida Statute 61.021 says at least one spouse must live in Florida for six months before filing. The clock starts on the filing date, not the date of separation. This rule is why many out-of-state filings get dismissed. A simple sworn statement on the petition usually satisfies the court.
The Twenty-Day Final Judgment Wait
Florida Statute 61.019 sets a minimum twenty-day wait between the filing and the final judgment. The court can waive this wait in rare cases, such as a signed settlement that resolves every issue. Most simple, agreed dissolutions finish between thirty and ninety days after filing. Contested cases can run many months longer.
Reporting Between Clerk and DOH
Florida Statute 382.023 controls how the clerk sends the case to DOH. The clerk sends a report after the court signs the final judgment. DOH then builds the statewide index. This is why a DOH certificate can lag behind the clerk file by weeks or months. The lag is normal and not a sign of a problem.
Other Florida Counties Compared
Pinellas sits in the 6th Judicial Circuit. Other large Florida counties use different clerks, portals, and fee schedules. The table below shows a quick side-by-side view. Use it to compare clerk offices across the state.
| County | Clerk Office | Main City | Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinellas | Ken Burke, CPA | Clearwater | pinellasclerk.com |
| Orange | Phil Diamond, CPA | Orlando | myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com |
| Miami-Dade | Juan Fernandez-Barquin | Miami | miami-dadeclerk.com |
| Hillsborough | Cindy Stuart | Tampa | hillsclerk.com |
| Broward | Brenda D. Forman | Fort Lauderdale | browardclerk.org |
| Palm Beach | Joseph Abruzzo | West Palm Beach | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
| Duval | J.R. Gaillot Jr. | Jacksonville | duvalclerk.com |
Orange County Divorce Records
Orange County covers Orlando and runs the 9th Judicial Circuit. Records sit with the Orange County Comptroller. The portal is myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com. The same Florida statutes apply, but local forms and fee menus differ from Pinellas. Orange uses a separate family court self-help center for walk-in support.
Miami-Dade County Divorce Records
Miami-Dade sits in the 11th Judicial Circuit. The clerk office is one of the largest in the state. Many older files have been digitized in recent years. The site miami-dadeclerk.com has a name search and a case number search. Certified copy fees in Miami-Dade are posted in a public fee schedule.
Hillsborough County Records
Hillsborough is the 13th Judicial Circuit and includes Tampa. Tampa sits next to Pinellas across the bay. Some Hillsborough records can also be cross-checked on the Pinellas system when a party moved across the bay. The clerk site is hillsclerk.com. Hillsborough uses the same Florida e-filing portal for online filings.
Broward County Records
Broward is the 17th Judicial Circuit and includes Fort Lauderdale. The clerk is Brenda D. Forman. Broward has its own family court division with strict e-filing rules. The site is browardclerk.org. Broward requires a separate account for online certified copy orders.
Palm Beach County Records
Palm Beach sits in the 15th Judicial Circuit. The clerk office is in West Palm Beach. Search tools are on mypalmbeachclerk.com. Certified copies have a flat fee schedule that is posted online. Palm Beach handles a high volume of family cases during the winter season.
Duval County Records
Duval is the 4th Judicial Circuit and includes Jacksonville. The clerk office is in Jacksonville. The site is duvalclerk.com. Duval also handles military cases from nearby bases, which can change access rules. Always check the seal status before requesting a military-related file.
Common Problems and Real Solutions
Most requesters hit the same small road blocks. Here is how to clear them quickly and avoid a wasted trip to the clerk office. Each fix is short and uses tools you already have.
Name Spelling and Date Errors
Names in court files match the names on the petition. A small spelling change can hide a file. If the search misses, try older spellings, middle names, and maiden names. Add a wider year range if the date is unclear. A phone call to the clerk can confirm the exact spelling on the original petition.
Older Records Stored on Microfilm
Files from the 1970s and 1980s may sit on microfilm. The clerk can pull the roll and copy pages for you. This takes extra days. Older files also cost more to copy because each page must be reprinted from the roll. Ask the clerk for an estimate before paying so you stay within your budget.
Sealed or Restricted Cases
Some cases are sealed by court order. You cannot pull a sealed file without a new court order. Restricted cases may still show party names but hide document images. The clerk can tell you the seal status on the phone. A family law lawyer can help with a motion to unseal when you have a valid reason.
Office Info and Visiting Hours
The Pinellas County Clerk of Court family division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Bring a photo ID for any in-person request. The lobby has public terminals that are free to use for a name search. Staff can help with the terminals but cannot give legal advice.
Address: 315 Court St., Room 400, Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: 727-464-3341
Website: pinellasclerk.com
Clerk: Ken Burke, CPA
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Questions People Ask Most
These questions come up again and again across Florida family law searches. The answers below cover Pinellas and statewide rules. Use them to plan your request before you call the clerk. Each answer gives the office name, the fee range, and the usual wait time so you can plan ahead.
Are Pinellas divorce records free to view?
Yes, basic name and case data is free on pinellasclerk.com. Free viewers show the docket, the parties, and the filing dates. You pay only when you ask for printed pages or certified copies. Free search access also applies to the Florida Official Records site, though coverage is thinner there. If a record is sealed by court order, you cannot view it even with a fee, and the clerk cannot waive that rule without a new court order signed by a judge.
How long does a certified copy take in Pinellas?
Online certified copy orders usually take three to five business days when the file is already scanned. In-person requests at the counter can finish the same day for simple files. Mail orders take seven to fourteen business days. Older files on microfilm may take two to four weeks. Plan ahead when you have a deadline such as a remarriage date or a real estate closing. Ask the clerk for a turnaround time before you pay.
Can someone else pick up my divorce decree?
Yes, a third party can pick up a certified copy with a signed authorization letter. The letter must include your name, the case number, and the name of the person you trust. The trusted person must bring a photo ID. Some record types require a notarized letter. Call the clerk first to confirm the exact rule for your file. The clerk may also ask for your own ID copy attached to the letter.
Is a DOH certificate the same as a court decree?
No. The DOH certificate is a short summary that lists the names, the county, and the date the court closed the case. The court decree is the full judgment that covers property, support, and custody. Many agencies accept the DOH certificate for simple proof of divorce. Courts, banks, and title companies usually want the full decree. Pick the record that fits your goal before you order to avoid a second fee.
What if my spouse’s name is misspelled online?
Court files use the exact name on the petition. A misspelling in the online index often means the original document still has the correct name. Ask the clerk to confirm the spelling on the original petition. Bring any old document with the correct spelling so the clerk can match it to the right case. A short phone call before your visit can save a long drive to Clearwater.
Do I need a lawyer to get my own divorce records?
No. You can request your own records directly from the clerk office. Court staff can show you how to search and copy forms but cannot give legal advice. If you have a sealed file or a complex history, a family law lawyer can help. Self-help resources at flcourts.gov can also walk you through simple requests. The DIY Florida interview tool can build the forms for you in a few clicks.
Can I see divorce records from another Florida county?
Yes, each Florida county clerk runs its own portal. You can search a name on the county where the case was filed. If you do not know the county, the Florida DOH statewide index can narrow the search to one county. Older multi-county histories may need a paid search service to track every case. Always confirm the result with the county that filed the final judgment before you use the record.