Pembroke Pines City Florida Divorce Records are official court papers that show when a marriage ended in Broward County. These papers are kept by the county clerk and state offices.
Anyone can ask for a copy. You can search by name, by case number, or by the date the case was filed. The records include the final judgment, the case docket, and supporting court orders. This page explains how to search, what to ask for, what fees apply, and how the Florida laws protect your right to see these records.
What Pembroke Pines Divorce Records Are
Divorce records in Pembroke Pines are part of the Broward County court system. The city falls inside the 17th Judicial Circuit. Every divorce case opened in this circuit creates a court file. The file holds the petition, the final judgment, and all orders tied to the case. These files stay open to the public under Florida law unless a judge seals them.
How Florida Defines Dissolution of Marriage
Florida law uses the term dissolution of marriage for a divorce. The full legal rules sit in Florida Statute Chapter 61. A marriage ends only after a judge signs a final judgment of dissolution. Until that judgment is signed, the spouses remain legally married. The clerk of court stamps and files the signed judgment. That filing creates the official record.
Types of Divorce Documents Available
Several documents make up a complete divorce record. Each one serves a different purpose. Knowing the difference helps you ask for the right paper the first time.
- Final Judgment of Dissolution: the signed court order that ends the marriage.
- Petition for Dissolution: the first paper filed by the spouse who started the case.
- Answer and Counterpetition: the reply filed by the other spouse.
- Case Docket: a list of every event and filing in the case.
- Marital Settlement Agreement: the written contract both spouses sign about property and support.
- Court Orders: any later orders about support, custody, or enforcement.
Why People Request These Records
People ask for Pembroke Pines divorce records for many reasons. Some need proof to change a name. Others need proof to update a bank account or a tax return. New spouses sometimes ask for a copy to confirm a past marriage ended. Lawyers ask for copies to handle follow-up motions or appeals. The records also help agencies verify a person’s marital status.
Where to Find Pembroke Pines Divorce Records
Pembroke Pines sits inside Broward County. The county clerk holds the court files. The state of Florida holds birth and death records through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Divorce records sit with the clerk, not the state vital records office. The state does keep a divorce index for the whole state. Both systems can help you locate a case.
Broward County Clerk of Court
The Broward County Clerk of Courts is the main source for Pembroke Pines divorce records. The clerk maintains the online case search and the paper files. You can search by party name or by case number. The clerk also issues certified copies of the final judgment. The clerk office number is (954) 831-6565. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office sits at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
Florida Official Records Search
The state of Florida runs an official records portal that covers many counties. You can search recorded documents like judgments, liens, and marriage records. This system does not show full case dockets. It shows recorded documents that tie to a case number. Use this system to cross-check that a divorce judgment was properly recorded in Broward County.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics sits inside the Department of Health. This office handles birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. The office in Jacksonville handles mail requests for the whole state. Duval County is home to the state office. Use this office for a state-certified divorce certificate.
Florida Department of Health Office
The Florida Department of Health runs the Office of Vital Statistics. The Office of Vital Statistics processes requests for divorce certificates. The state office in Jacksonville is the main mail-in request center. Local county health departments do not issue divorce certificates. The Jacksonville office handles the full state.
How to Search by Name and Case Number
You have two main ways to search for a Pembroke Pines divorce case. The first way uses the names of both spouses. The second way uses the case number. Each method has its own steps. Knowing both helps you when one search method does not return results.
Online Search by Name
The Broward County clerk offers a free online case search. Type the last name of either spouse into the search field. Add the first name to narrow the results. The system returns a list of matching cases. Each result shows the case number, the filing date, and the court division. Court divisions for family cases show as “FA” for family law cases filed after 2000.
Search by Case Number
A case number search is faster when you already know the number. Broward County family case numbers start with the year, followed by a unique code. For example, a case filed in 2023 might show as FMCE23001234. Type the full case number into the search box. The system shows the full docket and every document filed in the case.
What Details You Need to Start
Before you start a search, gather the right details. Better details lead to better results. The list below covers the most useful pieces of data to have on hand.
- Full legal name of both spouses before the divorce.
- Approximate year the case was filed.
- The county where the divorce was filed (Broward for Pembroke Pines).
- Whether you need a certified or plain copy.
- A valid photo ID for in-person requests.
Requesting Certified Copies and Fees
A certified copy carries the court seal and a clerk signature. A plain copy is a photocopy with no seal. Many agencies only accept a certified copy. The fees below reflect standard charges. Always confirm the current fee before you send your payment.
Certified vs Plain Copy Differences
A certified copy of a Florida divorce decree costs more than a plain copy. A certified copy proves the document is a true copy of the court record. A plain copy shows the same text but carries no legal proof. Government agencies, banks, and insurance companies usually ask for a certified copy. A plain copy works for personal reference or for your own files.
Current Fee Schedule
The fees below show standard charges for divorce records in Broward County. Fees can change. Always check with the clerk before you pay.
| Document Type | Fee Per Copy |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of final judgment | $1.00 per page plus $2.00 certification fee |
| Plain copy of case document | $1.00 per page |
| Additional certification fee | $2.00 per document |
| Expedite processing fee | Varies by request type |
| State divorce certificate (state office) | $5.00 for the first copy |
Accepted Payment Methods
Broward County accepts cash, checks, money orders, and major credit cards for in-person requests. Mail requests need a check or money order. Online requests use a credit or debit card. The state vital statistics office accepts similar payment types for mail and online orders. Make checks payable to the clerk or the state office.
Processing Times
Standard requests take about five to ten business days. Mail requests can take two to four weeks. Online requests often move faster. Certified copies mailed out from the clerk take five to seven business days after the office processes the order. Rush requests cost extra and finish in one to two business days.
Florida Laws Governing Divorce Records
Florida has two main laws that control how divorce records work. One law sets the rules for the divorce itself. The other law sets the rules for public access. Knowing both laws helps you see why the records stay open and when they may be sealed.
Chapter 61 Dissolution Rules
Florida Statute Chapter 61 covers the legal process of ending a marriage. This chapter sets the rules for filing, serving papers, and issuing judgments. The law lists what the court can order about property, support, and parenting plans. The clerk files every paper under this chapter in the court system.
Chapter 119 Public Records Law
Florida Statute Chapter 119 gives the public the right to see government records. This includes court records. Chapter 119 covers the right to inspect files and the right to request copies. The law also lists narrow cases where a record can stay sealed. Most divorce records stay open under this law.
Sealed and Redacted Records
A judge can seal a divorce record in narrow cases. Common reasons include protecting a victim of domestic violence or hiding sensitive financial data. Even sealed records may show basic case info. Redaction removes specific details like Social Security numbers from public copies. Redaction happens automatically in many online views.
Common Use Cases After Divorce
People come back to their divorce records for many reasons. A case stays in the system for years after the judgment. The same case number helps you request new copies or check for new filings. Below are the most common reasons people look up a Pembroke Pines divorce case.
Name Changes After Divorce
Many people change their name back after a divorce. The final judgment often lists the right to return to a former name. The Social Security Administration and the DMV need proof of the name change. A certified copy of the final judgment serves that purpose. Some people also need a new birth certificate or passport to match the new name.
Financial and Property Updates
Banks, lenders, and employers may need a copy of the divorce judgment. Lenders use it to remove a former spouse from a mortgage or a car loan. Employers use it to update benefits and tax forms. Insurance companies use it to update a policy holder. A certified copy of the final judgment satisfies most of these requests.
Remarriage Documentation
Anyone planning to remarry needs proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of the final judgment works as that proof. Marriage license offices in Florida ask for this proof before issuing a new license. The clerk can confirm the date the divorce became final. That date matters because Florida requires the divorce to be final before a new marriage license.
Child Support and Custody Follow-Up
Many divorce cases include orders about children. Parents often return to the same case to check support payments or to change a custody order. The Florida Department of Revenue handles child support enforcement. The same case number ties a new motion to the original file. Updates appear as new entries in the docket.
Records by Nearby Florida Counties
Pembroke Pines sits in Broward County, but people often need records from nearby counties too. Florida keeps records at the county level. Each county clerk runs its own search system. The list below shows how other large Florida counties handle divorce records.
Miami-Dade County Records
Miami-Dade County runs its own clerk search portal. Divorce cases filed there use the family division. The clerk office in downtown Miami handles copy requests. The county courthouse is the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. The Miami-Dade system often shows docket entries from the 1950s forward.
Palm Beach County Records
Palm Beach County keeps divorce records through the clerk of courts in West Palm Beach. The Palm Beach clerk uses an online search similar to Broward. Family cases show in the family division docket. Certified copies cost the same as other Florida counties.
Orange County Records
Orange County is home to Orlando. The Orange County clerk runs the Ninth Judicial Circuit family division. The clerk search covers divorce cases filed since 1970. Older records require a manual request to the archives office.
Hillsborough County Records
Hillsborough County covers Tampa. The Hillsborough clerk handles family cases through the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. Online search covers cases from the 1990s forward. Older cases need a direct request to the clerk records center.
Pinellas and Lee County Records
Pinellas County covers St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The Pinellas clerk runs the Sixth Judicial Circuit family division. Lee County covers Fort Myers. The Lee clerk runs the Twentieth Judicial Circuit family division. Both counties use online case search tools similar to Broward.
Contact and Office Details
Below are the main offices that handle Pembroke Pines divorce records. Hours and fees can change. Call ahead before you visit or send a payment.
- Broward County Clerk of Courts: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Phone: (954) 831-6565. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Broward Clerk Website: https://www.browardclerk.org/
- Florida Official Records: https://www.myfloridacounty.com/official_records/
- Florida Department of Health Vital Statistics: https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates/
- Florida Family Law Forms: https://www.flcourts.gov/Services/Family-Courts/domestic-relations-court-resources/family-law-forms
- Florida Statutes Chapter 61: https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/0061.html
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section covers common questions about Pembroke Pines divorce records. Each answer gives direct steps and links to the right office. Use these answers to plan your search and your copy request. The questions below come from real searches people run on this topic every day.
Are Pembroke Pines divorce records free to search?
Yes. The Broward County clerk offers a free online case search. You can look up a case by name or by case number at no cost. Fees only apply when you ask for a copy of a document. A plain copy costs about one dollar per page. A certified copy costs the per page fee plus a small certification fee. Online viewing is free. A copy request triggers the fee.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a divorce decree?
Standard mail requests take about two to four weeks. In-person requests often finish in the same day if the file is on the shelf. Online requests through the clerk portal usually finish in five to ten business days. Rush requests cost more and can finish in one to two business days. Processing times can grow during busy filing seasons. Plan ahead for major life events like a new mortgage or a remarriage.
Can I find divorce records from the 1990s in Broward County?
Yes. The Broward County clerk keeps divorce records going back many decades. Older files may sit in the archives center. You may need to visit in person for files older than 1990. Online search usually covers cases from 1990 forward. A manual request works for older files. The clerk staff can run a search by name and date range for any period.
What is the difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree?
A divorce certificate is a short summary issued by the state vital statistics office. A divorce decree is the full final judgment signed by the judge. The decree covers property, support, custody, and the order ending the marriage. The certificate shows basic facts like the names and the date the court finalized the case. Many agencies accept either document. Banks and lenders usually ask for the decree. Vital records agencies often accept the certificate.
Can a divorce record be sealed in Florida?
Yes. A judge can seal a divorce record under narrow rules. Common reasons include protecting a domestic violence victim or hiding sensitive financial data. A sealed record hides most case details from the public. The court may still keep a redacted version for public view. A party to the case must file a motion to seal the record. The judge reviews the motion and decides whether sealing is proper.
How do I search by case number in Broward County?
Go to the Broward County clerk website and open the case search tool. Type the full case number into the search field. The system returns the case docket and the full document list. A family case number from Pembroke Pines starts with the year and the court code. For example, a case filed in 2024 might show as FMCE24001234. Click on the case number to see all filings and orders.
Do I need a Florida divorce record to remarry in the state?
Yes. Florida law requires proof that any prior marriage ended before a new marriage license can issue. A certified copy of the final divorce judgment works as proof. The clerk issuing the new license checks the date the divorce became final. That date must come before the new license application date. Bring the certified copy to the marriage license office. The clerk keeps a copy with your new marriage file.