Contact us for Florida divorce decree records by reaching out to your local Florida Clerk of Court office. The Clerk of Court keeps all official divorce case files in each Florida county.
This page gives you phone numbers, addresses, office hours, and step-by-step ways to reach the right office. You will learn how to ask for a certified copy, how to search by name, how to use a case number, and what to do before you make the call. All facts listed here come from public Florida court sources as of August 2026.
Who Handles Florida Divorce Decree Records
Florida divorce decree records sit with the Clerk of Court in the county where the judge signed the final judgment. Florida has 67 counties, and each one runs its own clerk office. The Florida Department of Health plays a different role and only keeps marriage and divorce index data for the whole state. Knowing who keeps which file saves you time when you reach out.
Florida Clerk of Court Role
The Clerk of Court is the main record keeper for divorce cases. When a judge signs a final judgment of dissolution of marriage, the clerk files the original paper or electronic document. The clerk also stores case dockets, motions, financial papers, and child support orders tied to that case. You can ask the clerk for a certified copy of the final divorce decree, which carries a raised or stamped seal. Most clerks also let you view older case files for free at the courthouse.
Florida Department of Health Role
The Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics, runs a statewide index of divorces from June 1927 to the present. This index only shows basic facts like the names of both spouses, the county where the divorce was granted, and the date. It does not include the full decree, the case number, or any financial terms. You can order a verification letter from the state office for a small fee, but you still need to contact the county clerk for a full certified copy.
Florida Courts System Structure
Florida circuit courts hear all divorce cases. Each of the 20 judicial circuits covers one or more counties. For example, the 11th Judicial Circuit covers Miami-Dade County, and the 13th Judicial Circuit covers Hillsborough County. The clerk office that supports each circuit also keeps the divorce files. You can search case information on the Florida Courts e-Filing Portal at jury.flcourts.org, but full decrees still come from the county clerk.
Ways to Contact the Florida Clerk of Court
You can reach the Florida Clerk of Court by phone, mail, email, online portal, or in person. The best method depends on how fast you need the record and what type of record you want. Phone calls work well for quick questions about fees, hours, and which office holds a specific file. Mail and online requests work well for certified copy orders. In-person visits work best when you need to look at older paper files or check the file in person before you order.
Contact by Phone
Most county clerk offices in Florida answer phone calls from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Some offices close at 4:30 p.m. You can ask the clerk about request forms, accepted payment types, and turnaround times. Keep your case number or the full legal name of both spouses ready before you call. This helps the clerk pull the file faster.
Contact by Mail
You can send a written request by mail to the county clerk where the divorce was finalized. Your letter should include both full legal names, the year of the divorce, your contact information, and a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the copy mailed back. Most clerks accept personal checks, money orders, and cashier checks by mail. Cash is rarely accepted through the mail for safety reasons.
Contact In Person
You can visit any Florida county clerk office during business hours to ask for divorce records. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk will help you fill out a request form, take your payment, and either hand you the copy or tell you the pickup date. Same-day service is common for simple cases, but older files may take longer to pull from storage.
Contact by Email or Online Portal
Many Florida clerks now offer online request portals. You can pay by credit card, upload your ID, and pick mail or in-person pickup. Email is used more for general questions than for record orders because of identity check rules. Always use the official website of the county clerk and never send personal details through unsecured email.
Florida Divorce Records by County
Each Florida county has its own clerk office with its own contact details. The table below shows the main office address, phone number, and website for the most populated counties as of 2026. You can click through to the official county clerk site to find request forms, fee schedules, and office hours.
| County | Clerk Office Address | Phone Number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130 | (305) 275-1155 | miami-dadeclerk.gov |
| Broward | 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | (954) 831-6565 | browardclerk.org |
| Orange | 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 | (407) 836-2000 | myorangeclerk.com |
| Hillsborough | 419 Pierce Street, Tampa, FL 33602 | (813) 276-8100 | hillclerk.com |
| Duval | 501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 | (904) 255-2000 | duvalclerk.com |
| Palm Beach | 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | (561) 355-2996 | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
| Pinellas | 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 | (727) 464-7000 | pinellasclerk.org |
Miami-Dade County Divorce Records
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court keeps all divorce case files for cases filed in Miami-Dade County. The Clerk’s main office sits in the Claude Pepper Federal Building. You can order a certified copy of a divorce decree online, by mail, or in person. Online orders through the clerk’s e-Clerk system are processed within three to five business days. Mail orders take about two weeks.
Broward County Divorce Records
The Broward County Clerk of Courts handles divorce decrees filed in Broward County since 1978. The main office is at 201 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale, with branch offices in North Broward and West Broward. You can search case records for free at browardclerk.org. Certified copies cost a set fee per document plus a small service fee per page.
Orange County Divorce Records
The Orange County Comptroller serves as the Clerk of Courts in Orlando. The office keeps divorce files dating back many decades. You can order records online, by phone, by mail, or in person at 425 N. Orange Avenue. The office also runs a public computer terminal where you can search for free before you pay for a copy.
Hillsborough County Divorce Records
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller keeps all divorce records for cases filed in Tampa and surrounding areas. The main office is the Edgecomb Courthouse on Pierce Street. You can also visit branch locations in Plant City and Ruskin. The clerk offers a self-service portal where you can look up cases and request certified copies with a credit card.
Duval County Divorce Records
The Duval County Clerk of Courts is located in the Duval County Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville. The office holds divorce case files for Jacksonville and the rest of Duval County. You can search old cases by name or case number using the clerk’s online system. The clerk also accepts walk-in requests for certified copies during business hours.
Palm Beach County Divorce Records
The Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller keeps all divorce files for the county. The main office is the Main Judicial Center in West Palm Beach, with four branch offices across the county. You can request certified copies online, by mail, or in person. Online requests through the clerk’s portal are the fastest method.
Pinellas County Divorce Records
The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller keeps all divorce files for St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and other cities in the county. The main office is the Clearwater Courthouse, with branch offices in St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs. You can view basic case data for free and order certified copies online or in person.
How to Request a Certified Divorce Decree Copy
A certified copy of a divorce decree is a stamped and sealed copy of the final judgment. Banks, insurance companies, immigration offices, and government agencies often need a certified copy. The clerk can issue one for a set fee. The process is simple if you have the right papers and know which county to contact.
Required Documents
You must show proof that you have a right to the record. The clerk will ask for a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. You also need to fill out a request form with both full legal names, the year of the divorce, and the county where the case was filed. If you are not a party to the case, you may need to show a notarized release or a court order.
- Valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
- Full legal name of both spouses at the time of divorce
- Year and county where the divorce was filed
- Case number (if you have it)
- Payment for the certified copy fee
Request Methods
You can request a certified copy in four ways: online through the county clerk’s portal, by mail with a check or money order, by phone with a credit card, or in person at the clerk’s office. Online is the fastest. Mail takes the longest because of postal time on both ends. Phone orders are quick but may carry a small card fee.
Processing Time
Processing time depends on the county and the request method. Online requests often take three to five business days. Mail requests take two to four weeks. In-person requests can be filled the same day for simple cases and older files that are still on microfilm or in the digital system. Sealed or restricted cases take longer because of extra review steps.
Fees and Payment
The fee for a certified copy of a divorce decree is set by Florida law and varies by county. Most counties charge a base fee per document plus a small fee per page. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit card. Some offices charge a small convenience fee for credit card payments, especially for online and phone orders.
Florida Divorce Record Search by Name
You can search for Florida divorce records using the full legal name of either spouse. The search is free on most county clerk websites, but you must pay for a certified copy. Name search works best when you know the first name, last name, and the year or rough time of the divorce. Middle names and full dates help narrow the results.
Online Search Tools
Most Florida county clerks run free online search tools on their websites. You type in the name and the system pulls up case numbers, filing dates, and judge names. You can also use the statewide search at jury.flcourts.org to find cases in any circuit. These tools do not show full decree text, but they show the case number you need to order the certified copy.
In-Person Name Search
If you cannot find the record online, you can visit the county clerk’s office in person. A clerk staff member will help you search old indexes, microfilm, and archived paper files. Bring both full legal names, the year, and any other facts you know. In-person searches are free, but you still pay for any copies you want to take home.
Florida Divorce Case Number Search
A case number is the fastest way to find a divorce file. The format is usually the year, a court code, a case type code, and a sequence number. For example, 2024-DR-001234. You can find the case number on old paperwork, through a name search, or from the Florida Department of Health index. Once you have it, you can pull the case in seconds.
Where to Find Case Numbers
You can find a case number on a copy of any past court paper from the case, such as a summons, motion, or order. You can also find it by calling the clerk and giving both names. The clerk can look up the number for free. The Florida Department of Health index also shows the year and county, which helps the clerk find the right case number quickly.
Using Case Numbers for Records
Once you have the case number, you can pull the full docket online, view documents, and order certified copies. The docket shows every paper filed in the case, from the petition to the final judgment. You can see the date of each filing, the name of the filing party, and a short description of the document. Full decree text is only on the certified copy.
Common Questions Before You Contact
Before you call or visit a clerk office, it helps to know a few basic rules about Florida divorce records. These rules affect what you can see, who can order copies, and how long records are kept. Knowing the rules also helps you avoid wasted trips and surprise fees.
What Records Are Public
Most divorce case files in Florida are public records. This means anyone can view the docket, see the case number, and read motions and orders. Financial papers, child support orders, and parenting plans are also part of the public file. The clerk can only restrict viewing for sealed cases under a specific court order.
What Records Are Sealed
A judge can seal a divorce file or part of a file in rare cases. Common reasons include protecting a child’s identity, hiding financial trade secrets, or guarding personal safety. Sealed files are not shown in public searches. Only people named in the court order can see them. You must ask the clerk and show the order to get access.
Who Can Request Copies
Anyone can ask for a certified copy of a public divorce decree. The clerk does not require you to be a party to the case. You do need to show a valid photo ID and pay the fee. Sealed records need a court order or a notarized release from one of the parties before the clerk can give you a copy.
Contact Information for Florida Court Records
For general questions about Florida court records, you can contact the Office of the State Courts Administrator at 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399, phone (850) 922-5081. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. The office can help you find the right county clerk for any divorce case in the state. You can also use the Florida Courts website at www.flcourts.org for case search tools and statewide court forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions people ask when they need to contact a Florida office for divorce decree records. Each answer is short, direct, and based on current Florida court rules. If your question is not listed, please call your county clerk of court for help with your specific case.
How long does it take to get a certified divorce decree?
Most online requests take three to five business days. Mail requests take two to four weeks. In-person requests can be filled the same day for simple cases. Older files that sit in storage may take an extra day or two to pull. Always ask the clerk for the current turnaround time when you place your order.
Can I search Florida divorce records for free?
Yes. You can search the case docket and view basic case data for free on most county clerk websites. You can also search the statewide docket at jury.flcourts.org. You only pay when you want a certified copy of the decree. The Florida Department of Health charges a small fee for statewide index searches.
What if I do not know the county of the divorce?
If you do not know the county, you can use the Florida Department of Health statewide index to find the county and year. You can also call any county clerk and ask the clerk to search by name. The clerk will check the statewide system. If the search covers more than one state, the clerk can guide you to the right office.
Can I get a divorce decree from another state through a Florida clerk?
No. A Florida county clerk only keeps records for divorces filed in that Florida county. For a divorce from another state, you must contact the court in that state. Each state has its own rules for public access and certified copies. The Florida Department of Health only indexes divorces granted in Florida.
Do I need a lawyer to request a divorce decree?
No. You do not need a lawyer to order a certified copy. You can place the request yourself by mail, online, or in person. A lawyer is only needed if the file is sealed, if you need a court order, or if you have a complex legal question about the case. The clerk can answer basic record questions for free.
Are online divorce record websites the same as the clerk’s office?
No. Third-party websites are private companies that pull public data and charge a fee. They are not the official record keeper. For a true certified copy that government agencies accept, you must order it from the county clerk. The clerk’s certified copy has an official seal that third-party sites cannot provide.
What if the divorce was sealed or expunged?
If the file was sealed, the clerk cannot show the docket to the public. You must show a court order or a notarized release from one of the parties. If the file was expunged, the clerk destroys the public docket and only keeps a small marker record. You cannot get a copy of an expunged file under normal rules.