This privacy policy explains how we handle your data when you search for Florida dissolution of marriage records on our site. It also covers what kind of records you can see, who keeps them, and how Florida law treats these public files.
By using our search tools, you agree to the terms described below. We wrote this page in plain language so anyone can read it without trouble.
What This Privacy Policy Covers
This policy covers all data we collect from people who visit our site to look up Florida divorce records, marriage dissolution cases, or related court files. It applies to every page, search box, and form on our site. If you follow a link from our site to another website, that other site has its own policy. You should read it before you share any personal details there.
Scope of This Policy
Our policy applies to every visitor who uses our divorce records search tools. It covers data from your browser, the searches you type, and the device you use to reach our site. It does not cover data handled by court clerks, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, or any third-party search partner we link to. Those offices follow their own rules under Florida public records law.
Acceptance of Terms
When you load any page on our site or type a name into our search box, you accept this policy. If you do not agree with how we handle data, please close the site and use the official Florida clerk of court websites directly. Continued use of our tools signals that you read and accept the rules listed here.
Florida Dissolution of Marriage Records Explained
Florida dissolution of marriage records are the court files that prove a divorce has been finalized. These files include the petition, the final judgment, and in many cases the divorce decree. Florida handles divorce cases through the circuit courts in each county. Once a judge signs the final judgment, the case becomes part of the public record.
What Counts as a Dissolution Record
A dissolution record covers every paper filed in a divorce case from start to finish. This includes the initial petition, financial affidavits, parenting plans, and the signed final judgment. The clerk of court stores these papers in the official case file. Anyone can request a copy, though some sealed records stay private by court order.
Public Access Laws in Florida
Florida law follows a strong public records policy. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says most court files must stay open for public review. Divorce records fall under this rule once the judge signs the final judgment. The Florida Supreme Court also passed rules that govern which family law files stay sealed, such as adoption records and certain domestic violence files.
Types of Records You Can Request
You can request several types of divorce records from the Florida courts. Each type serves a different purpose for the person who needs it.
- Final judgment of dissolution
- Certified divorce decree copy
- Marriage dissolution certificate
- Case filing records and docket sheets
- Annulment records when applicable
Information We Collect From Users
We collect two main kinds of data from people who use our divorce record search tools. The first kind comes from what you type into our search boxes. The second kind comes from your device and browser each time you load a page. We explain both types below so you know exactly what we see and store.
Data You Provide in Searches
When you type a name, county, or case number into our search box, we send that data to our search partners so they can pull up results from public sources. We do not store your search queries on our own servers. Our partners may keep records based on their own data policies. You can read more about this in the third-party section below.
Automatic Data From Your Device
Each time your browser loads one of our pages, our servers log some basic details about your visit. This data helps us fix bugs and improve the site over time.
- Your IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device type and operating system
- Pages you visit and how long you stay
- The website that sent you to our page
- The date and time of your visit
Cookies and Tracking Tools
We use cookies to see how visitors move through our site. Cookies are small text files your browser stores on your device. They tell us which pages get the most traffic and where users leave the site. You can block cookies through your browser settings. If you block them, parts of the site may not load the way they should.
How We Use Your Search Data
We use the data we collect for a few clear purposes tied to running our divorce records search site. We do not sell your personal details to data brokers or marketing lists. Below are the main ways we put your data to work for you and for the site.
Passing Queries to Partners
When you search for a Florida divorce record, your query leaves our site and goes to a licensed search partner. The partner checks state and county sources for matching records and returns results to your screen. We do not control how partners store your search input once they receive it. Each partner has its own retention policy listed on its site.
Site Performance and Bug Fixes
We watch traffic patterns to learn which parts of our site work well and which parts need fixing. If a search box throws errors or a page takes too long to load, the logs help us spot the problem fast. We also use this data to plan new pages about Florida divorce record topics users ask about most often.
Targeted Advertising
We show ads on our site to keep our search tools free for users. Some ad networks track your activity across the web over time. They use this data to show you ads for products or services that match your interests. You can opt out of interest-based ads through your browser settings or by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative website.
Florida Clerk of Court Systems
The Florida clerk of court is the official record keeper for every divorce case filed in the state. Each of the 67 counties has its own clerk office that stores paper and digital files. The clerk handles requests for certified copies, public searches, and case updates. We explain how the clerk system works so you know what to expect.
Role of the Clerk of Court
The clerk of court is a county officer elected by voters in most Florida counties. The clerk stamps new filings, assigns case numbers, keeps the official docket, and issues certified copies. For divorce cases, the clerk stores the petition, the financial paperwork, and the signed final judgment. The clerk also collects filing fees from people who start or respond to a divorce case.
How Clerk Portals Work
Most Florida clerks run online portals where you can search for divorce cases by name or case number. These portals pull data from the official court database. Some portals show full document images. Others only show the docket sheet with case events and party names. Each county picks its own portal system, so the look and features vary from one clerk to the next.
Official vs Third-Party Portals
Florida clerk websites are the official source for divorce records. They charge small fees for certified copies and accept payment by credit card or cash. Third-party search sites like ours pull data from public sources and present it in one place. Third-party sites charge their own fees and add convenience features. The records themselves stay the same no matter where you view them.
Searching Divorce Records by Florida County
Divorce records live at the county level in Florida. The county where the divorce was filed holds the official file. Below is a quick look at the largest Florida counties and how their clerk systems handle public record searches. Each county runs its own portal with slightly different search tools and fee structures.
Miami-Dade County Records
Miami-Dade County has one of the busiest family court systems in Florida. The clerk runs an online portal where you can search family court cases by party name or case number. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost a set fee per document. You can order copies online, by mail, or in person at the clerk office in downtown Miami.
Orange County Records
Orange County covers Orlando and the surrounding area. The Orange County clerk of court offers a free online docket search for most civil and family cases. You can view case events and party names without paying a fee. Certified copies of the final judgment cost a small fee plus a per-page charge for longer documents.
Hillsborough County Records
Hillsborough County handles Tampa area divorce filings. The clerk portal lets you search by name, case number, or date range. Public users can view the docket sheet for free. To get a certified decree copy, you must submit a request to the clerk office with the case number and pay the certified copy fee.
Broward County Records
Broward County covers Fort Lauderdale and nearby cities. The Broward clerk runs a public records search that includes family court cases. You can search by party name or case number. The portal shows case events, hearing dates, and the assigned judge. Certified copies require a separate request and fee through the clerk records department.
Palm Beach County Records
Palm Beach County stores divorce records from West Palm Beach and surrounding towns. The clerk portal supports searches by name, case number, and citation number. Users can view basic case details for free. A certified copy of the final judgment costs a fee per document and can be picked up in person or mailed to your address.
Duval County Records
Duval County covers Jacksonville and northeast Florida. The clerk offers an online records search covering family court cases from recent decades. Older files from before digital records may need an in-person visit to the clerk archives. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available by mail or in person for a set fee.
Pinellas County Records
Pinellas County covers St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The clerk portal includes a family court search that lets you look up divorce cases by name or case number. You can view docket entries for free online. Certified decree copies are available for a small fee through the official records request process.
Certified Divorce Decrees and Official Copies
A certified divorce decree is the official court document that proves a divorce is final. Banks, insurance companies, and other agencies often ask for a certified copy when you change your name or update your marital status. We explain what makes a copy certified and how the request process works in Florida.
What a Certified Decree Includes
A certified divorce decree shows the judge signature, the court seal, and a stamp from the clerk office. The document lists both spouses full names, the case number, the date the judge signed the final judgment, and the terms the judge ordered. The clerk adds a cover page that certifies the copy as a true copy of the original court record.
How to Get a Certified Copy
You can request a certified copy from the clerk of court in the county where the divorce was granted. Most clerks accept requests by mail, online, or in person. You will need the case number or both spouses full names and the year the case was closed. Payment by credit card, check, or money order is accepted at most Florida clerk offices.
Costs and Processing Times
Fees for certified divorce decrees vary by county but usually fall within a small range. Most clerks charge a base fee for the first page and a smaller per-page fee for each extra page. Processing times depend on how you submit your request. Online and mail orders often take a few business days. In-person visits can give you the certified copy the same day in many counties.
Searching by Name and Case Number
You can search Florida divorce records using two main methods. The first method uses the full name of one or both spouses. The second method uses the case number assigned by the clerk when the petition was filed. Both methods work well, but each has its own benefits and limits.
Name-Based Search Methods
Name searches work best when you know the full legal name of one or both spouses. The Florida clerk portals search official name fields, so spelling matters a lot. If you are unsure of the spelling, try variations or use the date of divorce as an extra filter. Some counties also accept partial last name searches with a wildcard character.
Case Number Lookups
A case number lookup is the fastest way to pull up a specific divorce file. The clerk assigns the case number when the petition is filed. The number follows a set format that includes the year, the case type code, and a sequence number. If you have a case number from a lawyer or a prior court order, you can use it on any county clerk portal that covers that case.
Your Privacy Rights Under Florida Law
Florida law gives you clear rights over your personal data. These rights apply to data we collect on our site. They also apply to public records held by Florida government agencies. Below are the core rights you can exercise when dealing with your own divorce file or your personal data on our site.
Right to View Your Data
You can ask us what personal data we have on file about you. We will respond within a reasonable time and show you the categories of data we collected. This right applies to search queries you typed, pages you visited, and any contact forms you submitted. To make a request, send us a message through the contact details listed at the bottom of this page.
Right to Correct Wrong Data
If you find data about you on our site that is wrong, you can ask us to fix it. Send us the correct details along with proof of the change, such as a court order or government ID. We will update our internal logs and pass the correction to our search partners when possible. Keep in mind that public court records cannot be changed just because of a privacy request.
Right to Request Deletion
You can ask us to delete personal data we hold about you. We will remove the data from our active systems within a reasonable time. Some data may stay in backup files for a short period. Public records held by Florida courts cannot be deleted by us. To remove a public record, you must file a request with the court that holds the file.
Data Security and Protection
We use standard security tools to protect the data we collect on our site. No system can promise perfect safety, so we list the steps we take and the limits you should know about. We also cover how we protect children who visit our site by accident.
Security Measures We Use
We use encrypted connections across our site so your browser and our servers trade data safely. We limit staff access to personal data on a need-to-know basis. We run security scans to find weak points in our code. We also work with hosting partners that follow strong physical and network security standards.
Limits of Online Security
Even with strong tools, no online system can promise zero risk. A skilled attacker could break into our servers or those of our partners. We cannot promise your data will never be exposed. We take steps to lower the risk and respond fast if a breach happens. We will notify affected users when state law requires it.
Children’s Privacy
Our site is built for adult users who need to look up divorce records for legal or personal reasons. We do not target minors. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 18. If you are a parent and believe your child used our site and shared data, contact us and we will remove the data we hold.
Third-Party Links and Partners
Our site links to other websites that help us deliver search results or show ads. Once you click a link and leave our site, that other site handles your data under its own policy. We explain the main types of partners we work with below so you know who sees your data after you leave our pages.
External Search Partners
Our search partners process the names and details you type into our search box. They pull matching records from public sources and send the results back to your screen. Each partner keeps its own logs and has its own data policy. We pick partners who treat user data with care, but we cannot control how they store your search input.
Advertising Networks
Ad networks place ads on our pages and may track your activity across the web. They use cookies and similar tools to show you ads that match your interests. You can manage ad tracking through your browser settings or by visiting ad industry opt-out pages. Blocking ad tracking will not block ads from showing, but the ads may be less relevant to your interests.
Updates to This Policy
We may revise this privacy policy as laws change or as we add new tools to our site. When we post a new version, the date at the top of this page will change. Below we explain when and how we update the policy and how we let users know about big changes.
When We Revise This Policy
We revise this policy when we add new features, change our data partners, or update our security tools. We also revise the policy when Florida or federal privacy laws change in a way that affects our site. Each new version replaces the older one as soon as we post it on this page.
How We Notify Users
For small changes, we update the date at the top of this page without sending a separate notice. For big changes that affect your rights, we post a clear notice on our home page for at least 30 days. You can come back to this page any time to see the current policy and the date it took effect.
Contact and Official Florida Resources
If you have questions about this privacy policy or about Florida divorce records, you can reach out using the contact details below. You can also contact the official Florida offices that hold divorce records and vital statistics. These offices handle certified copies, court records, and sealed file requests under Florida law.
Florida Clerk of Court Contact
Each Florida county has its own clerk of court office. You can find the contact details for your county on the official Florida clerks website. Most clerk offices answer phone calls during normal business hours and respond to email messages within a few business days. For fast service on certified copies, visit the clerk office in person with a photo ID and the case number.
Official Website: https://www.floridaclerks.org
Phone: 850-921-3040
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps statewide records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. The bureau can confirm a divorce took place and provide statewide statistics. Certified divorce decrees come from the county clerk where the divorce was granted, not from the bureau. Use the bureau for statewide confirmation or for older records that the county clerk no longer holds.
Official Website: https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates
Phone: 904-359-6900
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are clear answers to questions people ask most often about Florida dissolution of marriage records and how we handle privacy on this site. Each answer covers the rules, the costs, and the steps you need to follow. Read these questions before you start your search so you know what to expect from the clerk offices and from our site.
Are Florida Divorce Records Public?
Yes, most Florida divorce records are public once the judge signs the final judgment. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes requires court files to stay open for public review. Some family law files stay sealed by court order, such as adoption records and certain domestic violence files. You can search public divorce records through the county clerk of court where the case was filed.
Can I Search Florida Divorce Records for Free?
You can search many Florida clerk portals for free to view docket sheets and party names. Free searches do not give you the full document image or a certified copy. To get a certified divorce decree copy, you must pay the clerk certified copy fee. Third-party sites like ours charge their own fees for added convenience and bundled searches across counties.
How Do I Get a Certified Copy of a Florida Divorce Decree?
You can request a certified copy from the clerk of court in the county where the divorce was finalized. You will need the case number or both spouses full names and the year the case closed. Most clerks accept requests online, by mail, or in person. You will pay a base fee plus a per-page fee for longer documents. Processing times vary by county and request method.
Can I Remove My Divorce Record From Public View?
In most cases, no. Florida law treats divorce records as public court files. You can ask the court to seal a record only when state law or a court rule allows it. Common reasons for sealing include safety concerns, sensitive financial details, or the protection of a minor child. You must file a motion with the court and get a judge to sign an order before the record is sealed.
What Is the Difference Between a Divorce Decree and a Dissolution Certificate?
A divorce decree is the signed court order that ends the marriage. A dissolution certificate is a shorter document that confirms the divorce is final. Banks and insurance companies often accept either one as proof of divorce. Certified copies of both come from the county clerk of court where the case was filed. The clerk can tell you which form works best for your purpose.
How Long Does It Take to Get Divorce Records From a Florida Clerk?
Processing times depend on the county and the request method. In-person requests at the clerk office often give you the certified copy the same day. Mail and online requests usually take a few business days. Some counties offer rush service for an extra fee. Older records stored off-site may take longer because the clerk must pull the file from the archives first.
Does Florida Offer Online Marriage Dissolution Cases?
Florida does allow some uncontested divorce cases to be filed online through the clerk e-filing system. The court still reviews the paperwork and the judge must sign the final judgment. You can search for online-filed cases using the same clerk portal tools you would use for paper filings. The records become public once the judge signs the final order.