Sunrise City dissolution of marriage records are court files held by the Broward County Clerk of Court. Sunrise sits inside Broward County, so all divorce filings, judgments, and certified copies run through county offices.
City halls in Sunrise do not store or issue these records. Anyone looking for a divorce file from Sunrise must use Broward County tools first, then Florida statewide tools for extra verification and certificate orders. This page explains each step in plain language so you can move from search to certified copy without confusion.
Where Sunrise Divorce Cases Are Filed
Every dissolution of marriage case from a Sunrise address goes to the Broward County Circuit Court. The Clerk of Court runs this office and keeps the case file, the docket, and the final judgment. If you live in Sunrise but your spouse lives somewhere else in Florida, you still file in Broward County because that is where the petition is filed first. County clerks across Florida follow the same court rules, but each county keeps its own set of files.
Broward County Clerk of Court Role
The Broward County Clerk of Court stores every divorce case opened in the county. This office records new filings, scans paper documents, indexes parties, and issues certified copies of judgments. The clerk also accepts payment for copies and search fees. Staff can help you confirm case numbers, judge names, and hearing dates. They cannot give legal advice, but they can walk you through the request process.
Sunrise City Limits on Divorce Files
The City of Sunrise handles local matters like building permits, local taxes, and police reports. Divorce cases do not fall under city control. Sunrise city offices cannot search Broward County files for you. Skip city offices and go straight to the county clerk for any dissolution of marriage record tied to a Sunrise address.
| Office | Handles Divorce Records? | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise City Hall | No | Local permits, local police reports |
| Broward County Clerk | Yes | Full case file, certified judgments, copies |
| Florida Department of Health | Yes | Statewide divorce certificate only |
| VitalChek | Yes | Online certificate ordering service |
How to Search Sunrise Dissolution Records
You have three main search paths for Sunrise dissolution records. Start with the county court portal, then check the Florida Court Clerks site, and finish with the state health office if you need a statewide certificate. Each tool covers a different layer of the same case. Use all three when you want a complete picture.
Online Court Portal Lookup
The Broward Clerk court portal lets you search open and closed family cases by party name and date range. Type the full legal name of either spouse to narrow the list. Cases show a case number, filing date, judge name, and current status. The portal covers cases filed in Broward County from the late 1990s onward. Older paper-only files may not appear online and need an in-person search.
County Records Search by Name
The Broward County Official Records site holds recorded judgments and post-judgment documents. This tool works well when you already have a case number or a recording book and page. Use this site when you need a recorded final judgment, a property order, or a name change linked to the divorce. Both spouses appear in the index, so either name works for the search.
Florida Statewide Records Tools
Florida statewide tools help you cross-check county findings. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site lists contact details for every county clerk. The Florida Department of Health issues a statewide abstract of dissolution that confirms a divorce is final. These tools do not replace county searches, but they add a second layer of proof for legal paperwork, name changes, and remarriage.
- Broward Clerk court portal: name and date search for case status
- Broward Official Records: recorded judgments and post-judgment items
- Florida Court Clerks: county clerk contact list across the state
- Florida Department of Health: statewide abstract of dissolution
- VitalChek: paid online ordering for state divorce certificates
Requesting Certified Copies From Broward Clerk
Certified copies carry a court seal and a clerk signature. Banks, courts, immigration offices, and government agencies accept certified copies. Plain printouts from the online portal do not count as certified. You need the official certified version for any legal purpose.
In-Person Request at the Clerk Office
Visit the Broward County Clerk office at 201 S.E. 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have one. Fill out a records request form at the public counter. Staff pull the file, copy the pages you need, and stamp each page with the court seal. Same-day service is the norm for open files. Closed and sealed files may need extra review time.
Mail and Online Request Options
Mail requests work for anyone who cannot visit the clerk office in person. Send a written request, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order to the clerk mailing address. Include the case number, the names of both spouses, and the year of filing. The clerk returns the certified copy by mail. Online requests go through the clerk e-services portal for credit card payment and tracking.
Fees and Payment Methods
The clerk charges a fee per page for copies and an extra fee for the certification stamp. Standard certified copies run a few dollars per page plus a flat certification fee. Cash, check, money order, and credit card are accepted in person. Mail orders usually take check or money order. Online orders run on credit card with a small service fee. Contact the clerk before sending payment to confirm the current fee schedule.
| Request Type | Method | Typical Fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain copy in person | Walk-in counter | Per page fee | Same day |
| Certified copy in person | Walk-in counter | Per page + certification | Same day |
| Certified copy by mail | Postal mail | Per page + certification | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Certified copy online | Clerk portal | Per page + service fee | 3 to 5 business days |
Florida Statewide Divorce Certificate
A statewide certificate is a separate record from the county judgment. The state health office tracks every final divorce for vital statistics. You use this certificate when you need proof that a divorce happened, but you do not need the full court order.
Florida Department of Health Process
The Florida Department of Health keeps a statewide index of dissolutions going back decades. You can order a certificate online, by mail, or in person at the state office. The certificate shows both names, the county where the divorce was granted, the date of the final judgment, and the case number. It does not show division of property, custody terms, or support orders. Those details stay inside the county court file.
VitalChek and Third-Party Services
VitalChek is the official third-party processor for Florida vital records. The site accepts online orders 24 hours a day and charges a service fee on top of the state fee. Other third-party sites also order the same certificate, but VitalChek is the direct state partner. Always confirm you are on the real VitalChek site before paying. Other sites may charge higher fees for the same record.
Key Florida Statutes for Sunrise Cases
Florida statutes set the rules for every divorce case filed in Broward County. Sunrise residents follow the same statutes as residents in any other Florida city. Knowing the key statutes helps you understand filing rules, residency rules, and how the state collects vital records.
Florida Statute 61.021 Residency
This statute says at least one spouse must live in Florida for six months before filing for dissolution. Sunrise residents meet this rule with proof of a Florida address, a Florida driver license, or a voter registration. The court can ask for proof at any point during the case. Keep your address documents ready before you file.
Florida Statute 61.052 Grounds for Dissolution
This statute lists the legal grounds a court can use to grant a divorce. Florida is a no-fault state, so the most common ground is that the marriage is broken beyond repair. Other grounds include adultery, mental incapacity, and a spouse being sentenced to prison for a long term. Most Sunrise cases use the no-fault ground because it is the simplest path to a final judgment.
Florida Statute 382.023 Vital Statistics Reporting
This statute requires the county clerk to send a report to the state health office after every final judgment of dissolution. The state uses this report to update the vital statistics index and issue statewide certificates. The county clerk handles the paperwork, but the case is not complete in state records until this report goes in. A small delay between the court final judgment and the state record is normal.
Common Issues With Sunrise Divorce Records
Sunrise divorce records can be hard to find for several reasons. Old records sit in paper archives, names can match more than one case, and some files are sealed by court order. Knowing these issues ahead of time saves you hours of searching.
Name Conflicts and Similar Cases
Two spouses can share the same last name as other people in Broward County. Common last names like Smith, Johnson, and Garcia can return dozens of results. Add the first name, middle name, and year of filing to narrow the list. The case number is the best match tool when you have it. Always confirm the spouse names and judge name before requesting a certified copy.
Old Records and Indexing Gaps
Cases filed before the late 1990s may not show up in the online portal. Those files live in paper archives at the county clerk office. You need an in-person search or a mail request to access them. Staff at the public counter can pull old files, but the search may take extra time. Plan ahead if you need an old record for legal paperwork or family history.
Sealed and Restricted Records
Some divorce files are sealed by court order to protect sensitive information. Sealed files stay closed to the public, even if the basic case information shows up in the online portal. You cannot pull a sealed file without a court order that opens the file. Adoption-related cases, cases involving minors, and cases with safety concerns are the most common sealed types.
Helpful Links for Sunrise Records
The links below lead straight to the most useful pages for Sunrise dissolution of marriage records. Start with the Broward Clerk sites for case searches and certified copies. Use the state health office and VitalChek when you need a statewide certificate.
- browardclerk.org
- Broward Family Division page on browardclerk.org
- Broward County Official Records search on broward.org
- Florida Department of Health divorce certificates page
- VitalChek ordering portal
- Florida Family Law Forms on flcourts.gov
- Florida Courts Self-Help Information on flcourts.gov
- Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site flclerks.com
- Florida e-filing portal myflcourtaccess.com
Sunrise Contact Details
Broward County Clerk of Court is the main office for Sunrise dissolution of marriage records. Use the contact details below to call ahead before visiting or to send a mail request.
Broward County Clerk of Court
201 S.E. 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-831-6565
Website: browardclerk.org
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on court holidays)
Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231
Phone: 904-359-6900
Website: floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates
Other Florida County Resources
Sunrise sits next to several large Florida counties. You may need records from one of these counties if a case was filed in another part of the state. Each county has its own clerk office with its own portal and request rules.
Miami-Dade County Records
Miami-Dade County keeps divorce files through the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court. The clerk portal covers cases filed in Miami-Dade circuit court. Use this office when a Sunrise resident filed or defended a divorce case across the county line. The office address is 73 W. Flagler St., Miami, FL 33130, and the phone is 305-275-1155.
Orange County Records
Orange County runs the Orange County Clerk of Courts. The office handles divorces filed in Orange County circuit court and covers Orlando and nearby cities. The main address is 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801, and the phone is 407-836-2000. The clerk portal supports name and case number searches for family cases.
Hillsborough County Records
Hillsborough County covers Tampa and surrounding areas. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court handles all family filings for the county. The office address is 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602, and the phone is 813-276-8100. Online tools cover recent family cases and recorded judgments.
Palm Beach County Records
Palm Beach County sits just north of Broward County. The Palm Beach County Clerk of Court handles divorce cases for West Palm Beach and nearby cities. The main address is 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, and the phone is 561-355-2996. The clerk site supports online searches and certified copy orders.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunrise Dissolution Records
This FAQ section covers the most common questions about Sunrise dissolution of marriage records. Each answer uses plain language and points to the right office or tool. Use these answers to plan your search before you contact the clerk or place an online order. The questions below cover search steps, certified copies, statewide certificates, sealed files, and name conflict issues.
Can I search Sunrise divorce records for free?
Yes, you can search Sunrise divorce records for free using the Broward Clerk online court portal and the Broward Official Records search. Both tools let you type a name and date range without paying. Free search shows case numbers, judge names, filing dates, and current status. The free search does not include certified copies. You pay a fee when you need an official certified copy with the court seal.
How long does Broward County keep divorce records?
Broward County keeps divorce records permanently as a court record. Paper files for old cases stay in the county archive. Cases filed in recent decades are scanned into the online system and stay available through the clerk portal. Sealed records stay in the archive but remain closed to the public without a court order to open them.
What is the difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree?
A divorce certificate is a statewide vital record issued by the Florida Department of Health. It confirms a divorce is final and lists both names, the county, and the date. A divorce decree is the full final judgment issued by the court. The decree covers property division, custody, support, and other terms. The certificate is short and confirms the fact of divorce. The decree is long and covers every part of the case.
Can I get a Sunrise divorce record if I am not a party to the case?
Yes, divorce cases in Florida are public records. Anyone can search the docket, view basic case information, and order a certified copy of the final judgment. Sealed files stay closed to the public. Confidential information within a public file may be redacted for privacy, but the main case events remain visible to any member of the public.
How do I correct an error on a Sunrise divorce record?
Start by contacting the Broward County Clerk of Court. Clerical errors on the final judgment can be fixed through a corrective order signed by the judge. Errors on the statewide certificate go through the Florida Department of Health. Both offices ask for proof of the correct information, such as a photo ID or a court order. The clerk or health office will tell you which form to file.
What if I only know one spouse name and the year of divorce?
Use that name and year as your search filter in the Broward Clerk portal. The portal lets you search by last name, first name, and date range. If the name is common, add a middle name or initial to narrow the list. The case number is the best match tool, so confirm case details with the clerk before requesting a certified copy.
Are online third-party divorce search sites reliable?
Some third-party sites pull data from public sources and charge a fee for a search. Results vary in accuracy and freshness. Court portals and state records are the most reliable sources. Use third-party sites only after you confirm the record with the county clerk or the Florida Department of Health. Pay official offices when you need a certified copy for legal use.