Tamarac City dissolution of marriage records are official court files that show when a marriage ended in Tamarac, Florida. These records are kept by the Broward County Clerk of Court, not by the city of Tamarac.
People use these records for legal matters, name changes, remarriage, and family history research. This page explains how to locate, view, and request copies of Tamarac City dissolution of marriage records through the correct county and state offices.
What Dissolution of Marriage Records Mean in Tamarac
Dissolution of marriage is the legal term Florida courts use for divorce. When a couple files to end their marriage in Tamarac, the case goes to the Broward County Circuit Court because Tamarac sits within Broward County. The court keeps a complete file for each case, and that file becomes the official record of the marriage ending.
Why These Records Are County-Level
Florida family courts operate at the county level through the circuit court system. Tamarac does not have its own family court, so all Tamarac dissolution cases are filed in Broward County. The county clerk stores the original file, indexes the case, and issues certified copies to people who ask for them. This system makes sure every Tamarac case follows the same state rules.
Difference Between Divorce and Dissolution
The words divorce and dissolution mean the same thing under Florida law. Florida Statute 61.021 uses the term dissolution to describe the legal process of ending a marriage. Most court forms, clerk websites, and state agencies in Florida use the word dissolution. Some people still say divorce, which is also correct for everyday use.
Who Uses These Records
Many people need Tamarac City dissolution of marriage records for different reasons. Former spouses often need certified copies to prove they are single again. People remarrying may need a certified decree. Attorneys request records for new cases. Background check companies pull records for employment screenings. Family historians search old cases to build family trees.
The Filing Office for Tamarac Cases
Every Tamarac dissolution case is filed at the Broward County Clerk of Court office. This office handles all family court matters for cities within Broward County, including Tamarac, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and Coral Springs. The clerk is the legal custodian of these records under Florida law.
Broward County Clerk of Court
The Broward County Clerk of Court is the main office for Tamarac City dissolution of marriage records. The clerk accepts new filings, stores closed case files, and provides certified copies to the public. The main office sits in downtown Fort Lauderdale, which is close to Tamarac and easy to reach by car or bus.
Office Location and Hours
The main Broward County Clerk office is located at 201 S.E. 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Standard office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. Records desk hours may differ slightly from general office hours, so calling ahead is a smart step before visiting.
How to Contact the Clerk
People can reach the Broward County Clerk by phone at 954-831-6565. The clerk website at browardclerk.org provides forms, fee schedules, and online search tools. Email contact is available through the website for general questions about records and procedures. Phone is the fastest way to confirm records desk hours and document requirements.
Broward County Family Division
The Family Division inside the Broward Clerk office handles all dissolution cases. This division processes new petitions, schedules hearings, and stores final judgments. Tamarac residents looking for case status can contact the Family Division directly for faster service than the general clerk phone line.
| Office Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Broward County Clerk of Court |
| Street Address | 201 S.E. 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Main Phone | 954-831-6565 |
| Website | browardclerk.org |
| Office Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Division | Family Division |
Step-by-Step Search Process
Finding Tamarac City dissolution of marriage records works best when people follow a clear order of steps. Florida courts handle many cases each year, so a planned search saves time and money. The five-step process below helps people locate the right case and get the records they need.
Step 1: Gather Required Details
Before starting any search, write down the full legal names of both spouses, the approximate year of the divorce, and the county where the case was filed. Tamarac cases are always in Broward County, but knowing the year helps narrow the search. If a case number is already known, that makes the search even faster.
Step 2: Search the County Online Portal
The Broward Clerk online portal lets people search public records by name and case number. Go to browardclerk.org and click on the records search link. Enter the spouse names and date range to see matching cases. The portal shows basic case details like filing date, judge, and case status. Full documents require a certified copy request.
Step 3: Use Florida Statewide Tools
Florida statewide tools help verify case details and find older records. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website at flclerks.com lists all county clerks. The Florida e-filing portal at myflcourtaccess.com shows filing history for newer cases. These tools help confirm a case exists in Broward County before visiting the clerk office.
Step 4: Order Certified Copies
Certified copies come from the Broward County Clerk office. People can order copies in person, by mail, or online through the clerk website. A certified copy includes a raised seal and clerk signature, which makes it valid for legal use. Regular photocopies are cheaper but cannot be used for court filings or name changes.
Step 5: Verify and Collect Records
Once copies arrive, check the names, dates, and case number on the document. Any errors should be reported to the clerk office right away for correction. The clerk keeps the original file, so corrections require a formal request. Keeping records in a safe place prevents the need to reorder copies later.
Florida Dissolution of Marriage Statutes
Florida state laws control every dissolution case filed in Tamarac. These statutes set the rules for residency, grounds, filing, and final judgments. Knowing the basic statutes helps people understand their rights and duties during a case. The statutes below apply to all Florida counties, including Broward.
Residency Requirement
Florida Statute 61.021 requires at least one spouse to live in Florida for six months before filing. The filing spouse must also live in the county where they file for at least three months. For Tamarac residents, this means at least one person must have lived in Broward County for three months before filing for dissolution.
Grounds for Dissolution
Florida Statute 61.052 lists the legal reasons for dissolution. Florida allows no-fault divorce, which means the marriage is irretrievably broken. Fault-based grounds like adultery or cruelty still exist in the law but are rarely used. Most Tamarac cases are filed as no-fault dissolutions based on the broken marriage claim.
Filing Commencement
Florida Statute 61.043 explains how a dissolution case starts. The filing spouse submits a petition for dissolution of marriage to the circuit court clerk. The clerk assigns a case number and sets the case on the court docket. The other spouse must receive formal notice before the case can move forward.
Final Judgment Timing
Florida Statute 61.019 covers the timing of final judgments. Simple cases without children or disputes can reach final judgment in a few weeks. Cases with children, property, or disputes take longer. Most contested Tamarac cases take six months to two years before a final judgment is signed.
Asset and Liability Division
Florida Statute 61.075 explains how courts divide marital property and debt. Florida follows equitable distribution, which means fair but not always equal. Judges look at each spouse’s income, assets, and contributions. The statute lists factors that courts must consider when splitting property in a dissolution case.
Reporting to Vital Statistics
Florida Statute 382.023 requires the clerk to report final judgments to the state. The Florida Department of Health receives a report and updates vital statistics records. This is how the state tracks divorce rates and creates the state divorce index. Certified state certificates come from the Department of Health, not the clerk office.
What Tamarac Residents Need to Know
Tamarac residents should know several practical details before starting a record search. Costs, processing times, and access rules affect how people plan their request. This section covers the most common questions from Tamarac residents about dissolution records.
Types of Records Available
The Broward Clerk office holds several types of Tamarac records. Case files include the petition, response, and all filed motions. Final judgments include the signed decree that ends the marriage. Hearing transcripts and financial documents may also be part of the file. Some sealed records are not available to the public.
Costs and Fees
Standard fees apply for Tamarac City dissolution of marriage records. A basic case search through the online portal is free. Certified copies cost a set fee per page, plus a certification fee. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit card in person. Online orders use credit cards through the clerk payment system.
Processing Times
Processing times vary based on the request type. Online searches show results right away. Mail requests take seven to ten business days. In-person requests at the clerk desk often finish the same day. Older cases stored off-site may take longer because staff need to retrieve the physical file.
Privacy and Access Rules
Florida law protects certain parts of dissolution files. Financial documents, social security numbers, and information about minor children are often sealed. The public can view basic case details and the final judgment. Sealed records require a court order before the clerk can release them to the public.
Florida Dissolution of Marriage Records by County
Florida has 67 counties, each with its own clerk office. People moving to or from Tamarac may need records from other counties. This section explains the major county clerk offices and their online search tools for dissolution records.
Broward County Records
Broward County holds all Tamarac City dissolution of marriage records. The Broward Clerk website at browardclerk.org offers a public records search tool. People can search by name, case number, or date range. The Broward public records search page at broward.org/RecordsTaxesTreasury/Records/pages/publicrecordssearch.aspx offers another search option.
Miami-Dade County Records
Miami-Dade County holds dissolution records for people who lived there. The Miami-Dade Clerk website offers online case search and certified copy ordering. Miami-Dade has one of the largest case volumes in Florida, so the online system is well developed. Records from 1970 forward are usually searchable online.
Orange County Records
Orange County holds dissolution records for Orlando and surrounding cities. The Orange County Clerk website provides online search tools and certified copy ordering. People who lived in Orange County before moving to Tamarac may need records from this office for remarriage or legal matters.
Hillsborough County Records
Hillsborough County holds dissolution records for Tampa and surrounding areas. The Hillsborough Clerk website offers online search and document requests. Hillsborough cases from 1985 forward are typically searchable through the county portal. Older records require direct contact with the clerk office.
Palm Beach County Records
Palm Beach County holds dissolution records for cities like West Palm Beach and Boca Raton. The Palm Beach Clerk website provides search tools and certified copy ordering. Palm Beach is a neighboring county to Broward, and many South Florida residents have records in both counties.
Duval County Records
Duval County holds dissolution records for Jacksonville and surrounding areas. The Duval Clerk website offers online search and document ordering. Duval cases are searchable back to 1985 in most cases. The clerk office is the official source for certified copies of dissolution judgments.
Online Resources and Tools
Several online tools help people search Tamarac City dissolution of marriage records. These tools save time and reduce the need for office visits. Each tool has a specific purpose, from basic case lookup to ordering certified copies. Using the right tool for the right task makes the process faster.
Broward Clerk Online Portal
The Broward Clerk online portal at browardclerk.org is the main tool for Tamarac records. The portal offers case search by party name, case number, and date range. Users can view basic case information for free. Certified copies and full document downloads require a paid request through the portal.
Florida e-Filing Portal
The Florida e-filing portal at myflcourtaccess.com lets people file new cases and check filing status. Active Tamarac cases appear in this system with current hearing dates and motion filings. Closed cases also appear with final judgment dates. This portal is best for tracking active cases rather than ordering old records.
Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health at floridahealth.gov handles state-level divorce certificates. After a final judgment, the clerk reports the divorce to the Department of Health. People can order a state divorce certificate through VitalChek or the Department of Health website. State certificates show the divorce but not case details.
VitalChek Ordering Portal
VitalChek at vitalchek.com is the official partner for Florida vital records ordering. People can order divorce certificates online through this portal. VitalChek accepts credit card payments and ships certificates by mail. State certificates ordered through VitalChek are valid for legal name changes and remarriage.
DIY Florida Forms
DIY Florida at flcourts.gov offers free document preparation interviews for people filing new cases. The interview creates court forms based on user answers. People starting a new dissolution in Tamarac can use these interviews to prepare their initial paperwork. The forms match Florida legal requirements and county filing rules.
Contact Details and Official Information
The official Broward County Clerk of Court office is the primary contact for Tamarac City dissolution of marriage records. The main office is located at 201 S.E. 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The general phone number is 954-831-6565. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on state holidays. The official website is browardclerk.org. The Family Division handles all dissolution cases and can be reached through the main clerk number.
Frequently Asked Questions
People searching for Tamarac City dissolution of marriage records often have similar questions. These answers cover the most common questions about searching, ordering, and using dissolution records. Each answer gives clear steps and points people to the right office or tool for their specific need.
How do I start a dissolution case in Tamarac?
To start a dissolution case in Tamarac, file a petition for dissolution of marriage with the Broward County Clerk of Court. At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months and in Broward County for three months. The filing spouse pays a filing fee and serves the other spouse with formal notice. Florida family law forms are available at flcourts.gov for self-represented filers.
Can I search Tamarac dissolution records online for free?
Yes, the Broward Clerk online portal at browardclerk.org offers free basic case searches. Users see case number, filing date, judge name, and case status without paying. Certified copies and full document downloads require a paid request. Free searches are best for confirming a case exists before paying for copies.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
Certified copies from the Broward Clerk take different times based on the request method. In-person requests at the clerk desk often finish within one hour. Mail requests take seven to ten business days plus mailing time. Online requests through the clerk portal typically finish within three to five business days.
What is the difference between a clerk decree and a state certificate?
A clerk decree is the signed court judgment that ends the marriage, issued by the Broward County Clerk. A state certificate is a vital statistics document issued by the Florida Department of Health. Both prove the marriage ended, but courts and government agencies often prefer the certified clerk decree for legal matters. State certificates are common for personal records.
Can I access sealed dissolution records in Tamarac?
Sealed dissolution records in Tamarac require a court order before the clerk can release them. Judges seal records to protect children, financial information, or sensitive personal details. A motion to unseal must be filed with the court, and a judge must grant the request. Most routine searches cannot access sealed records.
What if I cannot find the dissolution record I need?
If a dissolution record cannot be found through the Broward Clerk portal, contact the clerk office by phone at 954-831-6565. Staff can run additional searches using different name formats or date ranges. Older cases may be stored off-site and require retrieval time. A formal search request may be needed for very old cases.
Are Tamarac dissolution records public?
Yes, most Tamarac dissolution records are public under Florida law. Basic case details, final judgments, and hearing dates are available to anyone. Sealed records and certain personal information are kept private. Certified copies of public records are available to any adult who pays the required fee.