Putnam County Florida divorce records are official court files that show when a marriage ended in this northeast Florida county. These records sit at the Putnam County Clerk of Court, which serves as the 7th Judicial Circuit court office for family law cases.
People look for Putnam County Florida divorce records to confirm a divorce, get a copy of the final judgment, change a last name, or settle legal matters tied to a past marriage. The clerk office keeps the full case file. The Florida Department of Health keeps a statewide certificate. Both sources can help you, but they give different documents. This page explains how each system works, what to ask for, how much it costs, and how to get the right copy for your needs.
Putnam County Clerk Court Role
The Putnam County Clerk of Court is the main office that handles divorce filings and stores the complete case file. The clerk receives the petition, holds the final judgment, and makes the docket available for public review. Anyone can look at the court docket, but only approved parties can get a certified copy of the final decree. The office also keeps marriage license records, probate files, and other family law papers.
Office Location and Contact
The clerk office sits in the Putnam County Courthouse in Palatka. The street address is 410 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, Florida 32177. The main phone line for court records is (386) 326-7600. You can call during business hours to ask about a case, the fee for a certified copy, or the documents you need to bring. Email options exist on the clerk website for general questions, but phone works best for case-specific help.
7th Judicial Circuit Court
Putnam County sits inside the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida. This circuit covers Putnam, Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Family cases, including divorce, are heard by circuit court judges in this region. The 7th Circuit website lets you search active cases, view daily dockets, and check court calendars. Putnam County Florida divorce records filed after 1970 appear in the online court index. Older files sit in physical storage and need a clerk request.
Public Service Hours
The clerk office opens Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Walk-in visitors can request records at the public counter during these hours. Mailing requests are accepted year-round. Online docket search runs 24 hours a day through the clerk portal.
Florida Divorce Records Law
Florida law controls how divorce records are filed, stored, and released. Two state chapters shape the public access rules for Putnam County Florida divorce records. Chapter 61 covers the actual divorce process, while Chapter 119 sets the public records law that lets citizens view court files.
Chapter 61 Dissolution Rules
Florida Statute Chapter 61 covers dissolution of marriage, child support, and related family law matters. The law sets the grounds for divorce, the waiting period, and the forms needed. A simple divorce in Florida can be final in about 20 days after filing if both parties agree. A contested divorce takes longer. Once the judge signs the final judgment, the clerk dockets the case and the file becomes part of the public record system.
Chapter 119 Public Access
Florida Statute Chapter 119 gives the public the right to see government records. This includes court files. The clerk must let you view the docket, look at motions, and read the final judgment. Some sensitive data, like Social Security numbers, gets redacted before public release. The same law applies to marriage records, birth records, and other vital statistics.
Protected Information Rules
Even with public access laws, certain details stay sealed. Financial affidavits in divorce cases can be sealed by judge order. Information about minor children can be protected. Bank account numbers and private business data get redacted. The clerk office handles the redaction before releasing copies to walk-in visitors or mail requesters.
How to Find Divorce Records
Putnam County Florida divorce records can be found through county and state tools. The fastest path depends on what you know. If you have the case number, search the online docket. If you only have names, contact the clerk office for a name-based search.
Online Court Search
The Putnam County Clerk website hosts an online case search tool. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date range. The tool shows open and closed cases. For closed divorce cases, you see the case number, the judge, the filing date, and the final judgment date. You do not see the full document. You need to order a copy to get the judgment text.
By Name and Case Number
A name search works best with full legal names and an approximate year of divorce. Common names like Smith or Jones need a date range to narrow results. The clerk can run a name search for walk-in visitors. Mail requesters must include the full name, the date range, and a signed request form. The fee applies even when no record is found.
Free vs Paid Search
The online case index is free. You can look at the docket and see case activity without paying. Copies cost money. A plain copy of the final judgment costs less than a certified copy. A certified copy carries the clerk seal and serves as legal proof for name changes, remarriage, or court filings in other states.
Requesting Certified Copies
A certified copy of Putnam County Florida divorce records carries the clerk seal and the signature of the clerk or deputy clerk. Certified copies serve as legal proof. You need one for a name change at the Social Security office, a marriage license application after divorce, or an immigration file. The clerk office handles certified copy requests by mail, in person, or online through an approved vendor.
Who Can Request
Florida law lets any member of the public request a certified copy of a divorce judgment. You do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need to show proof of relationship. The clerk treats these as public record requests under Chapter 119. The requester must show a valid photo ID for in-person pickup.
Required Information
The clerk needs enough detail to locate the file. A complete request includes the full legal name of each party, the approximate year of divorce, the case number if known, and the type of copy you want. Incomplete requests slow the search. Put as much detail on the request form as you can find.
Fees and Payment
Putnam County Florida divorce records certified copy fees follow Florida Statute 28.24. The standard fee per page is set by state law. The clerk charges a search fee if no record is found. Cash, money order, and most major cards are accepted for in-person orders. Mail orders should include a money order or cashier check. Personal checks may not be accepted for mail requests.
| Service Type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy (first page) | $3.00 | Standard fee under FL Statute 28.24 |
| Certified Copy (each extra page) | $2.00 | Per additional page |
| Name Search (5 years) | $2.00 | Per party name searched |
| Annual Name Search | $5.00 | Per party name per year |
| Docket Sheet | $1.00 per page | Plain copy, not certified |
Types of Divorce Documents
Putnam County Florida divorce records include several document types. Each serves a different purpose. Knowing the difference saves time and money when you order.
Final Judgment
The final judgment is the court order that ends the marriage. The judge signs it after all issues are settled. The final judgment lists the date of divorce, custody orders if children are involved, property division, and any support orders. This is the main document people need for legal proof of divorce.
Certificate of Dissolution
The certificate of dissolution is a short abstract form filed with the Florida Department of Health. It shows the names of both parties, the date of divorce, and the county of filing. The certificate costs more than a county docket but is accepted by some agencies that want a state-level confirmation.
Court Docket
The docket is a list of every filing in the case. The docket shows motions filed, hearings held, and the date of the final judgment. The docket alone does not prove the marriage ended. The docket proves a case existed and reached a final step. Most people want the final judgment, not the docket.
Florida Department of Health Role
The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps statewide divorce records. The bureau holds certificates filed by each county clerk. People order certificates when they need state-level proof that does not show court details. The bureau handles mail, online, and walk-in orders through the state vital records office.
Vital Statistics Office
The Bureau of Vital Statistics operates the state certificate system. The office is in Jacksonville for in-person service. Mail requests go to the bureau address in Jacksonville. Online orders go through the official state vendor. Each path has its own processing window.
Statewide Certificate System
The statewide system stores certificates from all 67 Florida counties. Putnam County Florida divorce records filed since 1970 appear in this database. Pre-1970 records sit in county storage. The system tracks the date the certificate was filed, the county of filing, and the certificate number.
Mail and Online Requests
Mail requests to the bureau need a signed application, a copy of your ID, and the fee. The fee for a state-certified divorce certificate is set by Florida law. Online requests through the state vendor cost more but process faster. Walk-in requests at the Jacksonville office offer same-day service in many cases.
Apostille for Out-of-State Use
An apostille is a state-level certification that proves a document is real for use in another country. Countries that joined the Hague Apostille Convention accept this stamp. Putnam County Florida divorce records can be apostilled through the Florida Department of State.
When Needed
An apostille is needed when you use a Florida divorce record in a foreign country. Remarriage abroad, immigration cases, property transfer overseas, and child custody matters in another country are common reasons. Domestic use does not need an apostille. A certified copy from the clerk works inside the United States.
Florida Secretary of State
The Florida Department of State handles apostilles in Tallahassee. You submit the certified divorce decree, a request form, and the apostille fee. The office stamps the document and mails it back. Walk-in service is available for an extra fee at the Tallahassee office.
Processing Time
Standard mail processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. Expedited service takes 1 week for an extra fee. Same-day service at the Tallahassee office costs the most. Plan ahead when your divorce record needs an apostille for a deadline.
Common Use Cases
Putnam County Florida divorce records serve many legal and personal purposes. The most common reasons people request copies are listed below.
Name Change After Divorce
Many people change their last name after divorce. The Social Security Administration requires a certified copy of the final judgment to process a name change. The DMV needs the same document for a new driver license. Banks and insurance companies ask for it too. The certified copy is the proof that the name change is part of a court order.
Remarriage Records
People planning to remarry need a certified copy of the divorce decree. The Putnam County Clerk of Court issues a new marriage license only after confirming the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree removes the legal barrier to a new marriage.
Legal Proof for Benefits
Divorce records serve as proof for Social Security benefits, veteran benefits, retirement accounts, and insurance policies. Each agency has its own form and rules. A certified copy of the final judgment meets the legal proof standard for most agencies.
Putnam County Cities and Towns
Putnam County Florida divorce records cover residents across the county. The clerk office in Palatka handles filings from every city and unincorporated area in Putnam County.
Palatka
Palatka is the county seat of Putnam County. The clerk office sits in the courthouse in downtown Palatka. Most divorce filings happen through the Palatka office. Walk-in visitors go to the public counter on the first floor.
Crescent City
Crescent City is a town in southern Putnam County. Residents file divorce petitions through the Putnam County Clerk office in Palatka. Records requests can be mailed or made in person. Online docket search covers Crescent City cases.
Interlachen
Interlachen is a town in northern Putnam County. The clerk office handles all Interlachen filings. Records requests go through the same Palatka office. Online tools work for any town in the county.
Records Source
The Putnam County Florida divorce records source image shows the 7th Circuit court page layout. This page supports search and request workflows for county-level divorce records.
Office Contact Details
The Putnam County Clerk of Court serves as the main contact for divorce record requests. The office handles in-person, mail, and online docket searches. Use the contact details below to start your request.
Putnam County Clerk of Court
410 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
Phone: (386) 326-7600
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Website: www.putnamclerk.com (link)
Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: www.floridahealth.gov (link)
FAQ
The questions below cover common situations and edge cases for Putnam County Florida divorce records. Each answer gives direct steps and current state rules. Use these as a quick check before placing a formal request with the clerk office.
How long does it take to get a certified copy by mail?
Mail requests for Putnam County Florida divorce records take 5 to 10 business days to process at the Putnam County Clerk office. The clerk handles requests in the order received. Mailing time on top of processing adds another 3 to 5 days. Plan for 2 to 3 weeks total. Expedited options are not standard for mail orders. Walk-in visits get same-day service in most cases. Online orders through approved vendors process faster but cost more.
Can I get a divorce record from a county other than Putnam?
Putnam County Florida divorce records only cover cases filed in Putnam County. If the divorce was filed in another Florida county, contact that county clerk. Florida has 67 counties, each with its own clerk office. The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics holds certificates from all counties since 1970. The bureau handles statewide requests for a higher fee. Out-of-state divorces require the county or province that issued the decree.
Are divorce records public in Florida?
Yes, divorce records are public under Florida Statute Chapter 119. The final judgment, the docket, and most case filings can be viewed by the public. Sensitive financial information and details about minor children can be sealed by judge order. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers get redacted before public release. The clerk office handles the redaction process.
What if I do not know the case number?
You can still request Putnam County Florida divorce records without a case number. Provide the full legal name of both parties and the approximate year of divorce. The clerk runs a name search through the docket index. The search fee applies even when no record is found. Names that are very common need a date range to narrow results. The clerk staff can help walk-in visitors with name searches.
Can I get a divorce record for free?
The online docket index is free to search. You can see case activity, the judge name, and the final judgment date without paying. Copies of documents cost money. A plain copy of the docket costs a small amount per page. A certified copy costs more. State certificates through the Bureau of Vital Statistics cost more than county copies.
What documents do I need to order a certified copy?
The Putnam County Clerk office requires a signed request form and a valid photo ID for in-person pickup. Mail requests need the signed form, a copy of the ID, and a money order for the fee. Online orders through approved vendors require a payment method and basic case details. The clerk does not require proof of relationship to the divorce parties. Any member of the public can request a certified copy.
How do I fix an error on a divorce record?
Errors on Putnam County Florida divorce records must be corrected through a court order. Contact the clerk office first to confirm the error. File a motion to correct the judgment with the circuit court. The judge reviews the motion and signs a corrected order if the error is real. The clerk then issues an amended certified copy. Vital statistics corrections go through the Florida Department of Health with the corrected court order.