Search Florida divorce records through county court systems and state vital records offices. Florida keeps divorce files in two places.
Circuit courts hold full case files with judgments and docket sheets. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics holds certificate records that prove a divorce took place. Both record types are public. This page covers how to search, where to search, and how to order the right copy.
How Florida Divorce Records Work
Florida divorce records come from two main sources. Each source holds a different type of document. You need to know which one matches your goal before you start a search.
Two Record Types: Court Files vs Certificates
Court files are kept by the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was filed. These files include the petition, financial forms, hearing notes, and the final judgment. They show how the court handled the case. Certificate records are kept by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. A certificate is a short form that lists the names of both spouses, the date of the divorce, and the county where it was granted. It does not show case details. Pick a court file if you need case history. Pick a certificate if you need proof of divorce for a name change, remarriage, or other legal use.
Who Keeps the Records in Florida
The Clerk of Court in each Florida county keeps court divorce files. The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps divorce certificates from June 1927 to the present. Florida vital records law requires the Bureau to store all certificate data going back to that year. Before 1927, records were kept at the county level only. This split is why some searches are faster at one office and slower at another.
Where to Start Your Search
The right starting point depends on what you need. Court files and certificates follow different search paths. Most people start at the county level because court files carry more detail and more history.
County Clerk of Court
Start at the county clerk where the divorce was filed. Each of Florida’s 67 counties has a clerk who runs the circuit court records system. The clerk holds the full case file from the day the petition was filed to the day the final judgment was signed. Most clerks run a free online search tool on their website. You can search by last name, first name, or case number. If the online tool does not show a case, you can ask the clerk staff to run a manual search. Bring full names and an estimate of the year the divorce was filed.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Bureau of Vital Statistics holds Florida divorce certificates from 1927 to the present. The Bureau runs its own search and order system through the Florida Department of Health website. You can search by name or order a certified copy online. The Bureau can issue a certificate for any divorce filed in Florida after June 1927. The Bureau does not keep court files and cannot give you a copy of the final judgment.
Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Department’s certificates portal lets you search for divorce records, order copies, and check the status of an order. You can also use the portal to find county health department offices that handle in-person requests. Many county health departments accept walk-in orders for divorce certificates.
Search by Name or Case Number
Name searches and case number searches work in different ways. Use name searches when you do not know the case number. Use case number searches when you already have one from a past search or legal document.
Name-Based Search Steps
A name-based search works best when you have full legal names for both spouses. Use the last name first, then the first name. Add an estimated filing year if you can. Many county clerk systems let you narrow results by year range. Start with a wide range and then narrow it if you get too many results.
- Type the full last name of one spouse
- Type the full first name of that spouse
- Add a year range if the clerk site allows it
- Look at every result that matches
- Save any case number or file date that appears
Case Number Lookup
A case number starts with the year the case was filed, followed by a court code, followed by a sequence number. For example, a case filed in 2024 in a circuit court might read 2024-DR-001234. The case number is printed on every paper filed in the case. If you have a case number, you can pull the full docket sheet in seconds on the clerk’s website. The docket sheet shows every filing, hearing, and order in the case.
Using Online Search Tools
Florida clerks run several online search tools. Some counties use the Civitek system. Some counties use the Clerk eCertify system. Other counties use their own custom search tool. The Florida Courts website lists every circuit court portal in one place. You can click through to your county and search from there.
County-Level Records Access
Florida has 20 judicial circuits. Each circuit covers one or more counties. Large counties tend to have the most complete online search tools. Smaller counties may need a phone call or visit to the clerk’s office. The county list below covers the most-searched areas.
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County runs a public online search tool on the Clerk of Courts website. You can search by name, case number, or citation. Divorce cases filed from 1985 forward are available online. Older cases require a manual search request. The Miami-Dade clerk charges a fee for certified copies. You can order certified copies online or in person at the courthouse in downtown Miami.
Broward County
Broward County Clerk of Courts runs a free search tool. You can search by party name or case number. Divorce cases from 1978 forward are online. The clerk also accepts online orders for certified copies. Broward uses the Clerk eCertify system for electronic certified records. You can pay by credit card and download the certified copy as a PDF.
Orange County
Orange County Clerk of Courts covers Orlando and surrounding areas. The clerk search tool includes family court cases. Divorce cases from 1984 forward are searchable by name. You can also search older records by visiting the clerk’s office in Orlando. Orange County uses the Civitek system for online records access.
Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court covers Tampa. The clerk search tool is on the Hillsborough clerk website. Divorce cases from 1985 forward are available online. The clerk charges a standard fee for plain copies and certified copies. Hillsborough also accepts mail-in requests with a signed form and a copy of your ID.
Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County Clerk runs a public search tool. You can search by name, case number, or business name. Divorce cases from 1977 forward are online. The clerk accepts online certified copy orders through the Clerk eCertify system. Palm Beach also has a walk-in counter at the main courthouse in West Palm Beach.
How to Order a Copy
Ordering a copy of a Florida divorce record is simple once you know the document type. Match the document type to your goal so you do not pay for the wrong copy.
Plain Copy vs Certified Copy
A plain copy is a photocopy of the original document. It shows the same words but does not have a raised seal or court stamp. A plain copy works for personal use, research, or reference. A certified copy has the court seal, a clerk signature, and a stamp. A certified copy is needed for legal filings, name changes, remarriage, and most government agencies. Pick the certified copy if your goal is legal. Pick the plain copy if your goal is reading or research.
| Copy Type | Best For | Has Court Seal |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Copy | Personal use and research | No |
| Certified Copy | Legal filings and government agencies | Yes |
| Electronic Certified Copy | Online legal filings | Yes |
Online Ordering with VitalChek
VitalChek is the official online ordering service for Florida vital records. You can order a divorce certificate through VitalChek from the Florida Department of Health page. VitalChek accepts credit card and debit card payments. You can order a plain copy or a certified copy. The certified copy arrives by mail. VitalChek also offers rush shipping for an added fee.
Fees and Payment
Fees vary by county and by document type. County clerks charge a fee for plain copies and a higher fee for certified copies. State certificates have a fixed fee set by Florida law. Most online orders add a service fee. Check the fee on the clerk or state website before you order. Standard fees apply to mail-in requests.
- County clerk plain copy: check county site
- County clerk certified copy: check county site
- State certificate: see Florida Department of Health fee schedule
- VitalChek service fee: added at order time
Processing Time
Processing time depends on the order method. Online orders through VitalChek or the clerk eCertify system ship in 5 to 10 business days. Mail-in orders take 2 to 4 weeks. Walk-in orders at a county clerk office can be ready the same day. Walk-in orders at the Bureau of Vital Statistics can take up to 5 business days.
What Records Show
Florida divorce records show different types of data based on the source. Court files carry case details. Certificates carry only basic facts. Knowing what a record shows helps you pick the right source.
Case Information
A court file shows the petition, the response, financial disclosures, custody filings, and the final judgment. It shows the names of the attorneys, the judge who signed the order, and the date of every hearing. The docket sheet is a list of every paper filed in the case. You can see motions, orders, and notices on the docket sheet.
Final Judgment Details
The final judgment is the court order that ends the marriage. It lists the date the court granted the divorce. It states whether the case was contested or uncontested. It shows how the court divided property and debt. It shows custody and support orders if children were involved. The final judgment is the most important paper in the court file.
Dates and Status
Florida divorce records show three key dates. The filing date is the day one spouse filed the petition. The final hearing date is the day the court held the final hearing. The judgment date is the day the judge signed the final order. The marriage is legally ended on the judgment date. You can check all three dates on the docket sheet or the certificate.
Florida Divorce Records from 1927 Forward
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps state divorce certificates from June 1927 to the present. This starting point comes from Florida law that required all divorces to be reported to the state starting that year.
Why 1927 Is the Starting Point
Florida law changed in 1927 to require all circuit courts to send a copy of every divorce judgment to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. Before that year, divorces were filed only at the county level. After June 1927, the state kept a copy of every divorce. This is why you can search state records for any divorce filed after June 1927. You can search county records for any divorce filed before that year.
Older Records and Archives
Divorce records filed before 1927 stay at the county clerk where the case was filed. Some counties have digitized these older files. Most counties keep paper records that you can view in person. The State Archives of Florida also hold some older court files. You can search the State Archives catalog for divorce cases from specific counties and years.
Special Search Situations
Some search needs fall outside a basic name or case number lookup. These cases need a slightly different path.
Searching for an Ex-Spouse
Searching for an ex-spouse’s divorce record works the same way as any other name search. If you know the county where the divorce was filed, start at that county clerk. If you do not know the county, try the state certificate search through the Florida Department of Health. The certificate search covers the whole state from 1927 forward.
Verifying Divorce Status
You can verify a divorce status by ordering a certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The certificate shows whether the divorce was granted and the date it was granted. A certified copy works as legal proof of divorce status. Most agencies that need proof of divorce will accept a state-issued certified copy.
Annulment Records
Annulment records are filed in the same court system as divorce records. The case type on the docket may read “Annulment” instead of “Dissolution of Marriage.” You can search for annulment cases the same way you search for divorce cases. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics also issues annulment certificates for cases filed after June 1927.
Key Florida Divorce Record Sources
The sources below are the main public offices and tools used for Florida divorce record searches. Each one supports a specific part of the search and order process.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics – divorce certificate records from 1927 forward: https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates/
Florida Department of Health certificates portal for statewide orders: https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/
Florida Clerk of Courts association for county clerk contacts: https://www.flclerks.com/
Florida Courts family law forms and self-help resources: https://www.flcourts.gov/Services/Family-Courts/domestic-relations-court-resources/family-law-forms
MyFloridaCounty official records portal for county-level searches: https://www.myfloridacounty.com/official_records/
VitalChek online ordering for Florida certificates: https://www.vitalchek.com/
Civitek Florida court records search for select counties: https://www.civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/07/
Clerk eCertify electronic certified records ordering: https://www.clerkecertify.com/OrderOfficialRecords/?PublisherCode=12015
13th Judicial Circuit (Hillsborough County) records: https://www.fljud13.org/
11th Judicial Circuit (Miami-Dade County) records: https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/
1st Judicial Circuit (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton) records: https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/
9th Judicial Circuit (Orange and Osceola counties) records: https://www.ninthcircuit.org/
6th Judicial Circuit (Pinellas and Pasco counties) records: https://www.jud6.org/
Florida Department of Law Enforcement for background record checks: https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics Contact Details
The Bureau of Vital Statistics is the state office that keeps Florida divorce certificates. Use the contact details below to reach the Bureau by phone, mail, or in person.
Phone: 904-359-6900
Address: 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Mail Requests: Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Website: https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates/
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions people ask about Florida divorce records. These questions cover search steps, copy types, fees, and older records.
How do I search Florida divorce records for free?
You can search Florida divorce records for free at the county clerk website. Most county clerks run a free online search tool. You can search by name or case number. You only pay when you order a copy. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics also offers a free name search through its online portal. You pay only when you place an order for a copy.
What is the difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree?
A divorce certificate is a short form kept by the state. It lists the names of both spouses, the date of the divorce, and the county. A divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. The decree includes case details, custody orders, and property division. You get a certificate from the state. You get a decree from the county clerk.
Can I search divorce records by name only?
Yes. Most Florida county clerk search tools let you search by last name and first name. You can also search with just a last name if you do not know the first name. The Bureau of Vital Statistics also supports name searches. A name-only search returns more results. You can narrow the list by adding a year range or a middle name if you have one.
Are Florida divorce records public?
Yes. Florida divorce records are public under Florida public records law. Most case files are open to inspection by any member of the public. Some parts of a file can be sealed by court order. Sealed records are not shown in public searches. Sensitive data like Social Security numbers is removed from public copies.
How far back do Florida divorce records go?
Florida state divorce records start in June 1927. The Bureau of Vital Statistics has a certificate for every divorce filed after that month. For divorces filed before June 1927, you need to search the county clerk where the case was filed. The State Archives of Florida also holds some older court files.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a Florida divorce certificate?
Online orders through VitalChek take 5 to 10 business days. Mail-in orders to the Bureau of Vital Statistics take 2 to 4 weeks. Walk-in orders at a county clerk can be ready the same day. Walk-in orders at the Bureau of Vital Statistics take up to 5 business days. Rush shipping is available for an added fee.
Can I find out if someone is divorced in Florida?
Yes. You can search Florida divorce records by name at the county clerk or the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The search shows the case status and the judgment date. If you want legal proof, you can order a certified copy of the certificate or the decree. A certified copy is accepted as legal proof of divorce by all Florida agencies.