Search Florida Divorce Records
Florida divorce records are public documents kept by county Circuit Courts and the Florida Department of Public Health. Each of the 67 counties in Florida stores its own divorce case files at the Circuit Clerk office. The state health agency has divorce certificates from 1950 to the present day. You can search these records online, by mail, or in person at courthouses across the state.
Florida Divorce Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Florida Divorce Records
There are two main places to get divorce records in Florida. County Circuit Courts hold the full case files for every divorce filed in Florida. These files include the divorce complaint, the answer from the other spouse, settlement papers, and the final decree signed by the judge. The Circuit Clerk in each county keeps these records and can make copies for you. You can visit in person at the courthouse or search some records online through the state court system in Florida.
The Florida Department of Public Health keeps divorce certificates. A certificate is not the same as a decree. It shows only basic facts: the names of both spouses, the date of divorce, and the county where it took place. The health department has certificates for divorces from 1950 to now. You can order these by mail, online through VitalChek, or at a county health office in Florida. Certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $6 for each extra copy in Florida.
Note: Divorce certificates show less detail than full court records from the Circuit Clerk in Florida.
How to Search Divorce Records in Florida
Florida offers several ways to look up divorce records. Online access is the fastest method for most searches. You can search from home any time of day. In-person visits work well when you need certified copies or want to see the full case file. Both options are open to anyone in Florida.
AlacourtAccess is the state court records database that covers all 67 county Circuit Courts in Florida. You can search by name or case number to find divorce cases. The system charges fees for each search. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Each extra case costs $9.99 more. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. This is a fast way to find divorce records in Florida from home. Visit pa.alacourt.com to start your search.
To search divorce records on AlacourtAccess, you need the following:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Approximate date of the divorce filing
- County where the case was filed
You can also search in person at any Circuit Clerk office in Florida. Go to the county where the divorce was filed. Staff can help you find records and make copies. Most clerks charge a small fee for copies, and certified copies cost more than plain ones. For divorce certificates only, use VitalChek online at vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. Extra service fees apply on top of the $15 state fee in Florida.
Types of Divorce Records in Florida
Florida divorce records include several types of documents. The divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. A judge signs this after the case is done. The decree states the marriage is over and covers child custody, support, and property terms. This is the most complete divorce record you can get in Florida. It comes from the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was heard.
The divorce certificate is a shorter document from the Florida Department of Public Health. A certificate proves that a divorce took place but does not show the details of the settlement. Many people need a certificate for things like changing their name, getting remarried, or updating other legal papers in Florida. You can get a certificate from a county health office or order one online.
Divorce records in Florida typically contain the following:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Date and place of the marriage
- Date the divorce was filed
- Date the divorce was finalized
- County and court where it was heard
- Grounds cited for the divorce
- Terms of property division
Court case files may also hold motions, responses, and other papers filed during the case. These show the full history of the divorce proceedings in Florida. You can get copies of any paper in a case file from the Circuit Clerk.
Florida Divorce Laws and Rules
Florida law sets the rules for getting a divorce. These laws affect how long the process takes and what records are created. The state legislature has set specific rules for residency, grounds, waiting periods, and property division. You must follow these rules to file for divorce in Florida.
Under Code of Florida § 30-2-5, at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before filing. This is the residency rule. You file in the county where you or your spouse lives now. The complaint must state that you meet this rule, and you must prove it to the court in Florida.
Florida allows both fault and no-fault divorces. Code of Florida § 30-2-1 lists ten grounds for divorce. The two no-fault grounds are "incompatibility of temperament" and "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." Most divorces in Florida use one of these no-fault reasons since they are easier to prove. Fault-based grounds include adultery, abandonment for one year, imprisonment, and habitual drunkenness. Fault grounds may affect alimony awards in Florida.
Under Code of Florida § 30-2-8.1, there is a 30-day waiting period after you file for divorce in Florida. The court cannot finalize a divorce until at least 30 days after the complaint is filed. During this time, the court may issue temporary orders for child custody, support, or who uses the home. This wait applies to all divorce cases in Florida.
Florida is an equitable distribution state. Under Code of Florida § 30-2-51, property is divided fairly but not always equally. The judge looks at many factors when splitting assets in divorce cases. These include the length of the marriage, each spouse's income, and what each person put into the marriage in Florida.
Divorce Record Fees in Florida
Fees vary based on what you need and where you get it in Florida. The Florida Department of Public Health charges $15 for a divorce certificate search plus one certified copy. Each extra copy in the same order costs $6. If you need it fast, add $15 for rush handling. VitalChek charges its own service fees on top of these state fees when you order online in Florida.
County Circuit Courts charge their own fees for divorce cases and records in Florida. Filing for divorce costs about $199 to $290 in most counties. Fees go up if children are part of the case. Getting copies of existing divorce records costs less. Most clerks charge per page for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones at any court in Florida.
Fee waivers are available for people with low income who need to file for divorce in Florida. You can ask the court to waive the fees by filing an In Forma Pauperis form. You must show proof of low income. The judge will decide if you qualify for a fee waiver in Florida.
Note: Filing fees and copy fees can change, so contact the court or agency to confirm current costs in Florida.
How to Get Copies of Florida Divorce Records
You can get copies of divorce records in Florida in several ways. For divorce certificates from the Department of Public Health, you have three choices. First, order online through VitalChek for the fastest service. Second, mail your request to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625 with the names of both spouses, the divorce date, the county, and your payment. Third, visit a county health department in person, where many can issue certificates the same day in Florida.
For full divorce decrees and case files, go to the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was filed in Florida. You can ask in person or call ahead to check what you need. Some clerks accept mail requests for copies. You will need to know the names of the parties or the case number. The clerk can search the records and make copies for a fee in Florida.
Wait times vary by method and location in Florida. In-person requests at a health department are often same-day. Mail requests to the state take 10 to 15 business days. Rush orders through VitalChek take 3 to 5 business days. Court record requests depend on the workload at that county's clerk office in Florida.
Legal Help for Divorce in Florida
Several groups offer help with divorce cases in Florida. Legal Services Florida gives free legal help to people with low income. They focus on divorce cases that involve domestic violence. Call (866) 456-4995 to ask about their services. Spanish speakers can call (888) 835-3505. Their website at legalservicesalabama.org has more info on getting help with divorce in Florida.
The Florida State Bar runs a lawyer referral service for people who need an attorney in Florida. Call 1-800-392-5660 to get connected with a family law lawyer. The first meeting costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. They can refer you to an attorney in your area who handles divorce cases in Florida.
Florida Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org offers self-help forms and legal facts for people who want to file on their own. You can find guides for handling your own divorce case in Florida. The site also has a list of legal resources across the state. Florida E-Forms at eforms.alacourt.gov has all the official court forms you need to file for divorce in Florida. Forms include the complaint, answer, and other required papers.
Are Divorce Records Public in Florida
Yes, divorce records are public in Florida. Code of Florida § 36-12-40 gives every citizen the right to inspect and copy public records. This is Florida's public records law. It applies to divorce records held by the courts. You do not have to be one of the parties in the case. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The records are open to anyone in Florida.
Some limits apply to what you can see in divorce records in Florida. Certain facts may be blacked out from public copies. These include financial account numbers and details about minor children. A party can also ask the court to seal their divorce records. A judge may seal records after a hearing if the person shows a strong reason why this is needed. Sealed divorce records are rare in Florida.
Note: Divorce certificates from the health department may have some access rules, but full court records at the Circuit Clerk are generally open to all in Florida.
Browse Florida Divorce Records by County
Each county in Florida has its own Circuit Clerk who keeps divorce records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for divorce records in that area.
Divorce Records in Major Florida Cities
Residents of major cities file for divorce at their county Circuit Court. Pick a city below to learn about divorce records in that area.