If you need to reach the right office for Florida divorce records, this page gives you every phone number, address, and online link you need. Whether you want a certified copy, a case file, or a divorce decree from a Florida court, knowing which agency to contact saves time.
The State of Florida splits these duties between the Department of Health, the Bureau of Vital Statistics, and the local Clerk of Court in each county.
Who Handles Florida Divorce Record Requests
Three main state and county agencies handle Florida divorce records. Each office serves a specific role, and knowing which one to call prevents delays. The split exists because Florida stores different parts of a divorce file in different systems.
Florida Department of Health Duties
The Florida Department of Health runs the state’s vital records system. This office keeps the official dissolution of marriage certificate. You contact them when you need proof that a divorce was finalized in Florida, especially for name changes, remarriage, or federal paperwork like immigration cases.
Clerk of Court Responsibilities
Each county Clerk of Court in Florida stores the full case file. This includes the divorce petition, financial papers, court orders, and the final judgment. The Clerk also issues certified copies of the divorce decree. If you need a court-sealed document, the Clerk of Court is your only contact point.
Bureau of Vital Statistics Function
The Bureau of Vital Statistics operates under the Department of Health. It processes statewide requests for divorce certificates. Mail-in and online requests both go through this bureau. Walk-in service is available only at the Jacksonville office.
Florida Department of Health Contact Info
The main point of contact for statewide Florida divorce certificate requests is the Department of Health office in Jacksonville. This is where most Florida dissolution of marriage records are processed and mailed from.
Jacksonville Office Location and Hours
The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics sits at 1217 Pearl Street, Suite A, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Same-day service is not offered at the walk-up window for divorce records, and appointments are not required.
For mail requests, send paperwork to Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. Include a signed application, a copy of your ID, and the correct fee.
Phone, Mail, and Online Contact
Call the Jacksonville office at 904-359-6900 for help with order status or form questions. For statewide health-related questions, the main Department of Health line is 850-245-4444. You can also email the bureau through the contact form on the Florida Department of Health website. Online orders for divorce certificates are placed through the state’s vital records portal, which accepts credit card payments and tracks shipments.
Request Forms and Processing Times
Use form DH 261, the Application for Florida Dissolution of Marriage Certificate. This form is available on the Department of Health website. Standard orders take 5 to 10 business days by mail. Rush orders placed online process in 3 to 5 business days for an added fee. Walk-in requests at the Jacksonville office are handled the same day only if the record is on file at the state level.
County Clerk of Court Directory
For court case files, certified divorce decrees, and case number lookups, contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Florida has 67 counties, but the largest volume of Florida divorce case records comes from the most populated regions.
Miami-Dade County Clerk Contact
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts is at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. Call 305-275-1155 for general help. The Clerk’s office runs the court records search portal, where you can look up Florida public divorce records by name or case number. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Orange County Clerk Contact
The Orange County Clerk of Courts sits at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. The main phone line is 407-836-2000. Orange County divorce records are searchable online through the Clerk’s official records search. The office opens Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m.
Hillsborough County Clerk Contact
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court is at 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602. Call 813-276-8100 for case lookup help. Hillsborough County divorce records by name are available through the Clerk’s online portal, which lets you view non-confidential case files for free.
Broward County Clerk Contact
The Broward County Clerk of Courts is at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The main line is 954-831-6565. Broward County divorce records online searches are powered by the Clerk’s official records system, which includes family court case files dating back decades.
Palm Beach County Clerk Contact
The Palm Beach County Clerk of Court is at 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Call 561-355-2991 for records help. The Clerk’s office also runs a satellite location at the North County Courthouse in Palm Beach Gardens. Public access terminals are available at both locations for in-person Florida divorce records public access searches.
Duval County Clerk Contact
The Duval County Clerk of Courts is at 501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The main phone line is 904-255-2000. Duval County is also home to the state vital records office, so many people combine trips to handle both court and state paperwork in one location.
Pinellas County Clerk Contact
The Pinellas County Clerk of Court is at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. Call 727-464-7000 to reach the family records division. A second branch operates from the St. Petersburg Judicial Center at 545 1st Avenue North. Both branches offer Florida circuit court divorce records searches.
Smaller County Clerks in Florida
Counties like Alachua, Brevard, Lee, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia each operate their own Clerk of Court with the same duties. You can find the correct county clerk by searching the Florida Association of Court Clerks directory. Each office keeps its own Florida divorce decree copy archive and offers online search portals at no cost.
How to Request Florida Divorce Records
The request process depends on which document you need. A divorce certificate from the state proves the marriage ended. A divorce decree from the court lists the terms. Each comes from a different office.
Required Documents and IDs
To request a Florida divorce certificate, you must be the person named on the record, a parent, legal guardian, or someone with a court order. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. Mail-in requests need a notarized application and a copy of your ID.
To request a Florida certified divorce records copy from the Clerk of Court, you need your full name at the time of divorce, the case number if known, and the year the divorce was finalized. Most Clerks accept in-person, mail, and online requests.
Certified vs Uncertified Copies
Certified copies carry a raised or stamped seal and serve as proof for legal matters. Uncertified copies show the same data but lack the official seal. Most employers, banks, and government agencies require certified copies. The Clerk of Court charges more for certified versions of the Florida divorce record request.
Fees and Payment Methods
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics charges a set fee for each divorce certificate copy. The Clerk of Court in each county sets its own fee for certified decrees. Standard fees across Florida range from small amounts for plain copies to higher fees for certified versions with extra pages. Most offices accept cash, check, money order, and credit cards for online orders.
| Record Type | Office | Standard Fee | Certified Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissolution of Marriage Certificate | FL Dept. of Health | Lower base fee | Higher fee per copy |
| Divorce Decree | County Clerk of Court | Lower base fee per page | Higher fee per certified copy |
| Case File Copy | County Clerk of Court | Lower fee per page | Higher fee with seal |
| Rush Processing | Both state and county | Higher fee per request | Higher fee per request |
Processing Time and Delivery
State vital records take 5 to 10 business days by mail and 3 to 5 days with rush service. County clerks often process in-person requests the same day. Online requests through a county portal may take 1 to 3 business days for digital downloads. Certified mail copies include tracking once shipped.
Online Access and Public Portals
Florida lets the public search basic case data through free online portals. This is the fastest way to confirm a divorce was finalized in a Florida court.
Statewide Search Tools
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website links to the state court records search tool. This free portal covers Florida circuit court divorce records across all 67 counties. Users search by party name, case number, or filing date. Results show case status, judge, and hearing dates.
County Online Record Systems
Each Clerk of Court runs a county-level online system. Miami-Dade, Orange, Hillsborough, Broward, Palm Beach, Duval, and Pinellas all have dedicated portals. These systems let you search Florida divorce records by name, view the docket, and download certain documents. Some filings are sealed and require an in-person visit to access.
Third-Party Search Options
Several paid third-party sites collect Florida divorce records genealogy data and offer search tools. These sites pull from public sources but charge fees for full reports. They work well for older records or family history research, but for certified copies, the state and county offices remain the only legal source.
Common Reasons for Contact
People contact these offices for personal, legal, and family history reasons. Each reason leads to a different document and office.
Name Change After Divorce
After a Florida divorce, you can return to a maiden name or prior name. The Social Security Administration and the Florida DMV require proof of divorce for a name change. A certified Florida divorce certificate or decree serves as that proof. Most people order at least two certified copies for this reason.
Remarriage Documentation
If you plan to remarry, the clerk’s office where you apply for a marriage license may ask for proof your previous marriage ended. A divorce certificate or decree from the Florida Department of Health or the county Clerk satisfies this step.
Legal and Family History Use
Attorneys, private investigators, and family members often request Florida marriage dissolution records for court cases, inheritance claims, or genealogy. Researchers working on family trees also contact these offices to confirm ancestors’ divorces. Sealed records require a court order, even for next of kin in many Florida counties.
Official Contact Details and Locations
Below is the consolidated contact list for the most requested Florida agencies that handle divorce records. Save these details before calling or visiting.
Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
- Address: 1217 Pearl Street, Suite A, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
- Phone: 904-359-6900
- Statewide Health Line: 850-245-4444
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST
- Website: www.floridahealth.gov
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts
- Address: 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130
- Phone: 305-275-1155
- Website: www.miamidadeclerk.gov
Orange County Clerk of Courts
- Address: 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
- Phone: 407-836-2000
- Website: www.myorangeclerk.com
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
- Address: 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602
- Phone: 813-276-8100
- Website: www.hillsclerk.com
Broward County Clerk of Courts
- Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Phone: 954-831-6565
- Website: www.browardclerk.org
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court
- Address: 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- Phone: 561-355-2991
- Website: www.mypalmbeachclerk.com
Duval County Clerk of Courts
- Address: 501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Phone: 904-255-2000
- Website: www.duvalclerk.com
Pinellas County Clerk of Court
- Address: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
- Phone: 727-464-7000
- Website: www.pinellasclerk.org
For a full list of all 67 Florida counties, visit the Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers at www.flclerks.com. This site links each county to its records search portal, fee schedule, and contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to the most common questions people ask before contacting Florida agencies for divorce records. Each answer explains what to expect, who to call, and what documents you need.
Can I get Florida divorce records for free?
Yes, basic case data and docket entries are free through the Florida court records search portal and each county’s online system. A certified divorce certificate or decree is not free. The state charges a fee for each certified copy, and the Clerk of Court charges a separate fee for sealed court copies. If you only need to confirm a divorce took place, the free search portals are enough.
How long does it take to get a certified divorce decree?
In-person requests at the county Clerk of Court are often completed the same day if the file is local and unsealed. Mail requests to the Clerk take 1 to 2 weeks. State divorce certificates from the Florida Department of Health take 5 to 10 business days by mail and 3 to 5 days with rush processing. Delays happen when the case file is stored off-site or the record is older than 50 years.
Can anyone view Florida public divorce records?
Florida keeps most divorce case files open to the public. Anyone can search by name or case number. Sealed files, adoption-related cases, and records involving minors have restricted access. Even then, parties named in the case, attorneys of record, and people with a valid court order can request access.
What is the difference between a divorce certificate and a decree?
A divorce certificate shows basic facts: full names, date of divorce, and the county where it was granted. The Florida Department of Health issues this. A divorce decree is the full court order that ends the marriage and lists terms like property division and custody. The Clerk of Court issues this. For name changes, banks, or government agencies, you usually need the decree. For simple proof of divorce, the certificate works.
Can I request Florida divorce records by mail from another state?
Yes. Mail the signed DH 261 form, a copy of your photo ID, and the correct fee to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Allow 5 to 10 business days plus mail time. You can also order online through the state portal for faster processing. For a court decree, mail your request directly to the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was finalized.
How do I find a Florida divorce case number?
Use the county Clerk’s online search tool and enter the full legal name of either party plus the year of divorce. The portal returns the case number, judge, and filing date. If the search returns no results, try spelling variations, maiden names, or older date ranges. Some older cases are filed under a different indexing system and may require an in-person lookup at the Clerk’s office.
Are Florida divorce records available for genealogy research?
Florida divorce records genealogy searches are common for family historians. Older case files from the early 1900s are stored with the county Clerk of Court. The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee also holds historical records. Online genealogy databases pull some of these records, but certified copies for legal proof still must come from the state or county offices directly.