Glades County Florida divorce records are official court files that show a marriage was legally ended inside the county. These records sit with the Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
They can be searched by name, by case number, or by filing date. The clerk holds the full case file. The Florida state office holds short certificate copies. This page shows how to search, request, and use Glades County divorce records the right way.
Where Divorce Records Are Kept in Glades County
Glades County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit in Florida. This circuit also covers Hendry, Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties. Because of this shared setup, family court records are filed through one online portal and one clerk system. Knowing this helps you pick the correct office before you place a request.
Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the main custodian of all divorce records filed in the county. The clerk stores the full case file, which includes the petition, financial forms, hearings notes, and the final judgment. Anyone can ask the clerk for a copy. Certified copies come with a raised seal and a clerk signature. Plain copies do not carry the seal but still show the same court content.
Role of the 20th Judicial Circuit
The 20th Judicial Circuit uses one shared records platform called CJIS20. This system lets users search court cases across all five counties in the circuit. When you search for a Glades County divorce, the result may show the same case number you would see at the local clerk counter. The system helps you confirm a case before you drive to the courthouse or pay for a copy.
Statewide Routing Through Florida Vital Records
Florida also runs a statewide vital records office through the Florida Department of Health. This office sells short certificate copies called divorce certificates. A certificate shows the names of both spouses, the county of filing, and the date the court signed the final judgment. It does not show financial terms or custody orders. People who need quick proof often order this version.
What Glades County Divorce Records Include
Glades County divorce records come in two main forms. The full court file is one form. The short state certificate is another. Each form has a clear purpose. Knowing what each form contains helps you avoid paying for the wrong copy.
Case Filings and Pleadings
The full case file holds every paper filed in the divorce. This includes the initial petition, the response, financial affidavits, child support forms, and any motions. If the case had a hearing, the court order from that hearing will also be in the file. Researchers, attorneys, and people doing their own name changes often request the full set.
Final Judgment of Dissolution
The final judgment is the last page in the case. It is signed by the judge and ends the marriage. This document is the one most people need. It lists both legal names, the case number, the judge, and the date the divorce became final. Banks, the Social Security Administration, and the DMV accept this page as legal proof.
Divorce Certificates vs. Divorce Decrees
A divorce certificate is a short state-issued summary. A divorce decree is the full final judgment from the court. The certificate is faster to get and costs less. The decree carries more legal weight for agencies that ask for court orders. Many people order both. The certificate works for daily proof. The decree works for legal filings.
How to Search Glades County Divorce Records Online
Online search is the fastest way to confirm a divorce in Glades County. The search tools are public and free to use. They do not give you the full document. They give you the case number, the names, and the filing date. You then take that data to the clerk to order a copy.
Using the 20th Circuit Clerk Portal
The CJIS20 portal lets you search by name across all five counties in the 20th Circuit. Enter the last name first, then the first name. Add a year range if you know it. The result page shows the case number, the court type, and the date filed. When the result matches, write down the case number for your copy request.
Name Search and Case Number Search
Name search works best when you know the full legal name. Case number search works best when you already have the file number from a prior request. People doing genealogy often use name search. People doing legal follow-up work often use case number search. Both search types run through the same portal.
When Records Are Not Listed Online
Some older cases may not appear in the online index. Sealed cases will not show at all. If the portal returns no result, call the clerk office for a manual name search. Manual searches cost a small fee and can take one to three business days. The clerk can also check microfilm files for older Glades County divorce records.
How to Request Certified Copies
You can request certified copies of Glades County divorce records three ways. You can go in person. You can mail a written request. You can also use the online order portal when one is offered. Each path leads to the same clerk office. The path you pick depends on your speed and how you want to pay.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk Office
Walk-in requests are the fastest. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. If you do not have the case number, bring the full name of both spouses and the year the divorce was final. The clerk will look up the file, pull the final judgment, and stamp it with the raised seal. You walk out with the certified copy the same day in most cases.
Mail and Online Requests
Mail requests work well for people who live outside Florida. Send a written letter with the full names, the year, and a self-checked payment. Include a copy of your photo ID. Mail the letter to the clerk office and wait for the return. Online requests go through the CJIS20 portal or the Florida court records portal. Online requests accept card payments and ship copies by mail.
Florida State Office Certificate Channel
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics sells divorce certificates for any county, including Glades. Order through the state website or by mail. State certificates are short. They list the names, the county, and the date. They do not list financial or custody terms. State certificates work for name changes, passport updates, and basic proof of single status.
Fees, Payment, and Processing Times
Fees depend on the type of copy you order and the office you order from. Most requests fall into two cost groups. The clerk charges one rate. The state office charges another. Processing times change based on how you send the request and how busy the office is.
Standard Copy Fees
Standard per-page copies from the clerk office cost a small fee per page. The first page costs more than each extra page. A full final judgment is usually one or two pages. Older files with many filings can run longer. Plain copies do not carry the clerk seal and cannot be used for legal filings that ask for certified proof.
Certified Copy Fees
Certified copies cost more per page than plain copies. The clerk adds a certification fee on top of the per-page fee. A certified copy of a Glades County final judgment is the version most agencies accept. State certificates carry their own flat fee set by Florida law and listed on the state vital records website.
Payment Methods Accepted
The clerk office accepts cash, check, money order, and card at the counter. Online requests take card payments. Mail requests take check or money order. The state vital records office accepts card online and check by mail. Always include the exact fee to avoid delays caused by underpayment.
Florida Laws That Shape Access
Florida law sets the rules for who can see divorce records and who can order copies. Glades County divorce records follow the same state rules as every other Florida county. Three main laws shape the process for users.
Florida Chapter 61 Dissolution Rules
Florida Chapter 61 covers the rules for ending a marriage. It lists the grounds, the forms, and the filing steps. Glades County divorce cases follow this chapter. Anyone who files without a lawyer uses the state forms under Chapter 61. The same chapter also sets the waiting for simple divorces with no children or property fights.
Florida Chapter 119 Public Records Law
Florida Chapter 119 states that most court records are open to the public. This law is the reason anyone can ask for a copy of a divorce record. The clerk must release the file unless a judge has ordered it sealed. Chapter 119 also protects some personal details like Social Security numbers, bank data, and minor child records.
Sealed and Redacted Records
A judge can seal a divorce file when safety or privacy reasons are shown. Sealed files do not appear in online search. Only the people named in the case or their lawyers can get copies. Some files are not sealed but have certain lines blacked out. The blacked lines protect private data while still letting the public see the rest of the file.
Common Reasons People Request These Records
People order Glades County divorce records for many legal and personal reasons. Most requests fall into a few clear groups. Knowing your reason helps you pick the right copy type before you pay.
Name Changes After Divorce
Many people return to a prior last name after divorce. To do this, they bring the certified final judgment to the Social Security Administration first. Then they update the DMV. Then they update banks and other accounts. The certified copy from the clerk is the right document for this path. The state certificate is not enough.
Remarriage Documentation
People who plan to remarry often need proof the prior marriage ended. Most county clerks ask for a certified divorce decree before they issue a new marriage license. The decree must show the court that signed it. A state certificate may work in some counties but not all. Bring the certified decree to be safe.
Immigration and Federal Purposes
Federal agencies ask for certified divorce decrees for immigration filings, federal benefits, and tax matters. The certified copy with the raised seal is the version they accept. Plain copies and state certificates will not pass the federal review. Plan ahead and order certified copies before you file the federal form.
Contact Details for Glades County Clerk
The Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves the public at the Moore Haven courthouse. Walk-in service runs during normal business hours. Phone lines open at the same hours. Mail is accepted during all open hours. Below are the main contact points for Glades County divorce records.
Office: Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Address: 500 Avenue J, Room 100, Moore Haven, FL 33471
Phone: (863) 946-6010
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time
Website: https://www.gladesclerk.com or the shared 20th Circuit portal at https://www.ca.cjis20.org/
Glades County Divorce Records Source Image
The image below shows the Glades County clerk page on the 20th Circuit records portal. This portal is the shared online system used to search court records across the circuit. Users can run a name search, view case data, and start a copy request from this same page. The screenshot helps readers see what the search screen looks like before they begin.
Florida vs Other States at a Glance
Florida follows the same basic public records model as most other U.S. states, but some details differ. The table below shows how Florida stacks up against a few common comparison states for divorce record access. Use this table when you are deciding how to request records across state lines.
| State | Who Holds the File | Public Search | Certificate Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | County Clerk of Court | Yes, online by name | $5 to $30 typical |
| Texas | District Clerk by county | Yes, online by name | $20 to $30 typical |
| California | Superior Court by county | Yes, online by case | $15 to $32 typical |
| New York | County Clerk Supreme Court | Yes, online by name | $5 to $30 typical |
| Georgia | Superior Court by county | Yes, online by name | $10 to $25 typical |
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below come from real users who search for Glades County Florida divorce records. Each answer gives a direct path so you can finish your request without wasted steps. Read the full page if you need the deep details on any one topic.
Can anyone search Glades County divorce records?
Yes. Glades County divorce records are public under Florida law. Anyone can run a name search on the 20th Circuit portal. Anyone can also ask the clerk for a copy. Sealed cases are the only records the clerk cannot release. To start, visit the CJIS20 portal and enter the last name of one spouse. Add a year range to narrow the list. Write down the case number from the result. Then contact the clerk office to order a copy. The clerk will ask for your ID, the case number, and the fee.
How long does a divorce take to show up in the online index?
Most cases show up in the online index within one to two weeks after the judge signs the final judgment. Some cases take longer when the clerk office has a backlog. New filings usually appear before certified copies are ready. If you do not see a recent case, wait five business days and search again. If it still does not appear, call the clerk office and ask for a manual check.
Is there a free way to search Glades County divorce records?
Yes. The CJIS20 online search is free. You can run as many name searches as you like without paying. The clerk office also takes free lookups at the public terminal in the lobby. Fees only apply when you order a copy of the file or a certified copy of the final judgment. Use the free search first. Pay only when you have the right case number in hand.
What is the difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate?
A divorce decree is the final judgment signed by the judge. It lists the terms of the divorce, the case number, and the date. A divorce certificate is a short state-issued summary. It only lists the names, the county, and the date. The decree works for legal filings. The certificate works for quick proof. Most agencies that ask for proof of divorce accept either one, but the decree is always the stronger choice.
Can I get a Glades County divorce record if I live in another state?
Yes. You can mail a written request to the clerk office. You can also order online through the CJIS20 portal. Mail the request with your ID copy, the full names, the year, and a check for the fee. The clerk will mail the certified copy back to you. For faster service, use the online portal with a card payment. State certificates can also be ordered through the Florida Department of Health by mail or online.
Are Glades County divorce records the same as marriage records?
No. Marriage records show a marriage license and any marriage ceremony. Divorce records show the court file that ended the marriage. They live in different offices. Marriage records sit with the clerk of court under a separate index. Divorce records sit with the family court section of the same clerk. When you search, make sure you pick the right case type or you may pull a marriage file by mistake.
What if the name search shows the wrong person?
Name searches can return similar names in the same county. Always check the year, the middle name, and the city before you order a copy. If you see a match that does not match your data, do not order. Call the clerk office and confirm the full date of birth or the spouse name. A short phone check can save you the cost of a wrong certified copy.