Alachua County divorce decree records are official court files that show a marriage has legally ended in Alachua County, Florida. These records live at the Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller and can be searched online, by mail, or in person.
This page covers how to find, request, and use these records the right way.
What Alachua County Divorce Decree Records Include
Divorce decree records are the final paperwork issued by a judge that ends a marriage. In Alachua County, these files are stored by the Clerk of Court, and the same office handles marriage licenses, court filings, and family law cases. Most records are open to the public, but some parts may be sealed by a judge’s order.
What a Divorce Decree Looks Like
A divorce decree in Alachua County is a signed court order. It lists both parties’ full legal names, the case number, the date the judge signed it, and the terms of the divorce. The terms cover property division, child custody, child support, alimony, and any other orders the judge made.
Difference Between a Decree and a Certificate
A decree is the full court order. A certificate is a short state-issued form that only confirms a divorce happened. People often need the certified decree for legal work like name changes, remarriage, or banking. A certificate works for basic proof of divorce for most other needs.
Who Files the Decree in Alachua County
The Eighth Judicial Circuit Court handles divorce cases in Alachua County. After the judge signs the final judgment, the Clerk of Court files and stores the original. A copy is then sent to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for state records.
Where to Search Alachua County Divorce Records
Three main sources hold Alachua County divorce records. Each one serves a different purpose, so the best choice depends on what you need and what details you already have.
Alachua County Clerk Public Portal
The Clerk of Court runs an online portal where anyone can look up case indexes. The portal covers cases filed since the year 2000. Users can search by name, case number, or filing date. The portal shows case status, hearing dates, and a list of filed documents.
Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Records
The Eighth Judicial Circuit serves Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties. Its court records system pulls case data from the county clerks in those areas. This is a good source if you know the case was filed in Alachua but want to confirm.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Department of Health keeps statewide divorce records. The Bureau of Vital Statistics holds records from June 1927 to the present. This is the right source for older records or for state-issued divorce certificates that work as proof of divorce.
How to Request a Certified Divorce Decree Copy
Alachua County offers three ways to request a certified copy of a divorce decree. Each method has its own steps, fees, and wait time. The table below shows a quick comparison.
| Request Method | Where to Submit | Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| In Person | Clerk’s Office, 201 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601 | $15 per certified copy | Same-day or urgent requests |
| By Mail | P.O. Box 480, Gainesville, FL 32627-0480 | $15 per certified copy plus postage | Non-urgent requests |
| Online | Clerk’s Records Request portal | $15 per certified copy plus service fee | Remote requests with case details ready |
In-Person Requests
Walk into the Clerk’s office on the first floor of the Alachua County Family and Civil Justice Center. Bring a valid photo ID, the case number if you have it, and payment. Staff can help you search if the case number is missing. Most in-person requests are filled the same day.
Mail Requests
Send a written request to the Clerk’s office at P.O. Box 480, Gainesville, FL 32627-0480. The letter must include both full legal names, the case number if known, the year the divorce was finalized, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. Mail requests usually take 5 to 10 business days to process.
Online Requests
Use the Clerk’s online Records Request page to submit a certified copy order from home. You will need to upload a photo ID and pay the fee with a credit or debit card. The portal gives a tracking number once the order is placed. Online orders are mailed out within 3 to 5 business days.
Fees and Payment Methods
The certified copy fee is $15.00 per copy in Alachua County. If the case number is missing, a search fee of $1.00 per name per year may apply. In-person payments can be cash, check, money order, or card. Mail requests only accept checks and money orders. Online requests use cards only.
Alachua County Divorce Case Number Search
A case number makes the search fast and cuts down on errors. Each divorce case filed in Alachua County gets a unique number that starts with the year and a court division code. Family court cases often start with “DR” for dissolution of marriage.
How to Find a Case Number
If you do not have the case number, use the public portal and search by the full legal name of either spouse. The portal lists the case number next to the case style. For older cases, you may need to call the Clerk’s office and ask the records team to run a name search.
What If the Name Changed
Records are filed under the legal name at the time of the case. If a party changed their name after the divorce, search using the name on the original filing. This avoids a wasted search and extra fees.
Alachua County Divorce Decree Online Search Steps
Running an online search is the fastest way to confirm a divorce case exists in Alachua County. The steps below walk through the process from start to finish.
- Go to the Alachua County Clerk of Court public records portal.
- Click on “Court Records” or “Case Search.”
- Choose “Family” or “Dissolution of Marriage” as the case type.
- Type the full legal name of either spouse in the search box.
- Add the filing year if you know it to narrow the results.
- Review the case list and click the matching case to see details.
- Note the case number and filing date for any certified copy request.
What the Portal Shows
The public portal gives you the case number, party names, judge, hearing dates, and a list of filed documents. It does not show sealed records or confidential filings. To see a full document, you must request a certified or plain copy from the Clerk’s office.
When the Portal Does Not Work
Cases filed before 2000 are not always in the online portal. For older cases, you may need to search the physical archives at the Clerk’s office. Some older paper files are stored off-site and can take a few days to pull.
Processing Time and Delays
Most Alachua County divorce decree requests are filled within 3 to 10 business days. The exact wait time depends on the request method, the case age, and the office workload.
Typical Wait Times
In-person requests are often filled the same day. Online orders are mailed within 3 to 5 business days. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. Older cases that need archive pulls can take 2 to 3 weeks.
Why Some Requests Are Delayed
Common reasons for delay include missing case details, bad payment, or unsigned request forms. Sealed records need a court order before release, which adds more time. State filings can also add about 60 days before a record shows up in statewide systems.
Alachua County Clerk of Court Office Details
The Clerk’s office is the main hub for divorce records in Alachua County. Below is the contact list, hours, and address for in-person and mail requests.
Office Location and Hours
The Clerk of Court is located at 201 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on state and federal holidays.
Mailing Address
All mail requests for certified copies should go to Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court, P.O. Box 480, Gainesville, FL 32627-0480.
Phone Number
The main Clerk’s office line is (352) 374-3636. The records department can also be reached through the same number during business hours.
Florida Laws That Cover Divorce Records
Florida state law controls who can see and copy divorce records. Two main statutes apply to records filed in Alachua County.
Florida Statute Chapter 119
Chapter 119 is Florida’s public records law. It gives the public the right to see most government records, including divorce decrees. The law also lists a few narrow exceptions, such as sealed family court files.
Florida Statute Chapter 382
Chapter 382 covers vital statistics, including marriage and divorce records. This law sets the rules for how the state stores and shares divorce data with the Bureau of Vital Statistics. It also explains how certified copies are issued.
Common Problems and Solutions
Many people run into the same issues when looking for divorce records. The fixes below cover the most common ones in Alachua County.
Missing Case Number
If you do not have the case number, search the Clerk’s portal by full name. If the name is common, add the year of divorce and the middle name or age. You can also call the records team and ask for a name search by phone.
Sealed or Restricted Records
Some divorce files are sealed by a judge’s order. To open a sealed file, you must file a motion with the court. The judge will review the request and decide whether to release the records.
Name Changes and Spelling
Searches fail often because of name spelling or a name change after the divorce. Always use the legal name at the time of the case. Confirm spelling from old court papers or the marriage certificate if you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover what people ask most often about Alachua County divorce decree records. Each answer is based on the rules set by the Clerk of Court, the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and Florida state law.
How much does a certified divorce decree cost in Alachua County?
The certified copy fee is $15.00 per copy. If the case number is not included, a search fee of $1.00 per name per year may be added. Online orders may also have a small service fee from the payment processor. No fee waivers are offered for basic certified copies, but the court can waive fees in certain hardship cases filed by motion.
Can I look up a divorce decree online for free in Alachua County?
Yes. The Alachua County Clerk of Court public portal lets you search case indexes for free. You can see the case number, party names, judge, and hearing dates. To see or download the full decree, you must pay the certified copy fee.
How long does it take to get a divorce decree in the mail?
Mail requests usually take 5 to 10 business days from the date the Clerk’s office receives your letter. Online orders are processed in 3 to 5 business days. Older cases that need archive pulls can take 2 to 3 weeks.
Are Alachua County divorce records public?
Most divorce records in Alachua County are public under Florida law. A small number of cases are sealed by court order, often to protect children or private financial details. Sealed records can only be released with a judge’s order.
What is the difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate?
A divorce decree is the full court order that ends the marriage and lists all terms. A divorce certificate is a short state form that only confirms the divorce happened. The decree is needed for legal work. The certificate is enough for most other proof needs.
Can I get a divorce decree from another Florida county through Alachua County?
No. The Alachua County Clerk of Court only holds records for cases filed in Alachua County. For other counties, you must contact that county’s Clerk of Court. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics can also help for older records from any Florida county.
What if the divorce happened years ago and the online search shows nothing?
Cases filed before 2000 may not show up in the online portal. You can call the Clerk’s records team and ask for a manual name search. Older paper files may be stored off-site and can take a few days to pull. A small search fee may apply.