Hollywood City divorce decree records are the official court papers that prove a marriage was legally ended in Hollywood, Florida. These records sit with the Broward County Clerk of Courts, not the City of Hollywood.
The City Clerk only keeps city records like local laws and meeting notes. This page explains who keeps the records, how to search them, what they cost, and where to get certified copies in 2026.
What Hollywood City Divorce Decree Records Include
Hollywood City divorce decree records cover the legal end of a marriage for anyone who filed in Broward County. The records hold names, dates, case details, and the final court order. Anyone can look at the public parts, but some sections may be sealed by a judge.
Types of Divorce Records Available
Three main record types are tied to a Hollywood divorce. The first type is the petition, which is the form one spouse files to ask for the divorce. The second type is the final judgment, which is the court order that ends the marriage. The third type is the dissolution certificate, which is a short state form that shows proof the divorce was granted.
What the Final Decree Contains
A final decree in Hollywood shows the full legal names of both spouses. It lists the case number, the judge who signed it, and the date the court granted the divorce. The decree also includes orders on property, debts, parental rights, and support when these items were part of the case.
Public vs Sealed Divorce Records
Most Hollywood divorce records are open to the public under Florida law. A judge can seal a case if the request cites strong reasons, such as safety or sensitive child matters. Sealed records need a court order before the clerk can share them, and the clerk will not show them on the public portal.
Which Office Handles Hollywood Divorce Records
Hollywood sits inside Broward County, so county and state offices handle these records. The city does not keep divorce files. Three main offices play a role: the Broward County Clerk of Courts, the 17th Judicial Circuit, and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Why the City Clerk Does Not Handle Divorce Records
The Hollywood City Clerk keeps city records only. These include local laws, city meeting notes, contracts, and city council votes. The City Clerk does not file or store court cases. People who call the city for divorce records get sent to the Broward County Clerk of Courts instead.
Role of the Broward County Clerk of Courts
The Broward County Clerk of Courts is the main office for Hollywood divorce records. The clerk files the petition, stores the case file, and issues certified copies of the final decree. The clerk also runs the online search portal where people look up cases by name or case number.
Role of the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps state copies of all dissolutions of marriage from June 6, 1927 to the present. The clerk of court sends a report to the Bureau after the final judgment is recorded. The Bureau issues a state certificate that works as proof of divorce for many legal needs.
How to Search Hollywood Divorce Records Online
The fastest way to look up a Hollywood divorce is through the Broward County Clerk online portal. The portal holds public case data for most Broward County court cases. A search by name or case number returns the docket, filing date, judge, and final judgment date when the case is closed.
Broward County Clerk Online Portal
The Broward County Clerk website has a public records search tool. Users enter a last name and first name, or a case number, to pull up case results. The portal shows case type, filing date, division, and the final disposition when the case has ended. Certified copies must still be ordered through the clerk or the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Searching by Name vs Case Number
A case number search gives the cleanest result. Each divorce filed in Broward County has a unique case number that starts with a division code. A name search also works, but common names may return many results. Adding a birth year or filing year helps narrow the list.
What the Online Search Shows
The public portal shows docket entries, hearing dates, motions, and the final judgment date. The portal does not show every document, and some case files need a paid copy request. Sealed cases do not show on the portal at all.
How to Request Certified Divorce Decree Copies
Many legal, financial, and personal tasks need a certified copy of the final divorce decree. A certified copy has the clerk’s seal and signature and serves as legal proof. Three main request routes exist: in person, by mail, or online.
In-Person Request at the Broward Clerk
Walk-in requests can be made at the Broward County Courthouse. The Records Division window accepts orders for certified copies. Bring a photo ID, the case number, and the filing fee. The window can help locate a case when the requester has only a name and a year.
Mail Request Process
Mail requests go to the Broward County Clerk of Courts Records Division. The request packet needs a signed written request, a copy of the requester’s photo ID, the case number or full names of both spouses, the filing year, and a check or money order for the fee. A self-addressed stamped envelope speeds the return mail.
Online Certified Copy Order
The Broward County Clerk website lets users order certified copies online. The order form asks for case details, a payment method, and a mailing address for delivery. Online orders usually process faster than mail orders. Electronic certified copies may also be available for some cases.
Fees and Payment Methods
Fees for certified copies come from Florida Statute 28.24. The standard fee for a certified copy is set by statute and listed on the clerk’s fee page. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card for online and walk-in orders. Mail orders usually require check or money order.
Hollywood Divorce Records by Filing Year
The year of the filing decides which office holds the official record. The split year is June 6, 1927. This date matters because the state started keeping dissolution records only after that date.
Records Before June 6, 1927
Divorces filed before June 6, 1927 sit only with the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics did not keep these records. A requester must contact the clerk, provide names and a year, and pay the copy fee to get a certified copy of the final judgment.
Records After June 6, 1927
Divorces filed after June 6, 1927 sit in two places. The Broward County Clerk holds the full case file. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics holds a short state certificate that works as proof of divorce. The state certificate is faster to order for simple proof needs.
Recent Filings and the 60-Day Rule
For very recent Hollywood divorces, the state certificate may not be ready yet. The clerk sends the report to the Bureau after the final judgment, and this process takes about 60 days. People who need proof of a recent divorce should start with the Broward County Clerk until the state record is on file.
Required Information for a Search Request
A complete request saves time and avoids extra trips or calls. The clerk’s office uses a small set of facts to pull a case file. Missing items slow the search and may add extra fees.
Full Legal Names of Both Spouses
The clerk needs the full legal name of each spouse at the time of the divorce. Maiden names, name changes, and spelling differences can affect the search. A photo ID that matches one of the names helps the clerk confirm the request is from an eligible party.
Case Number Details
The case number is the cleanest way to find a record. A Broward County divorce case number uses a year code and a sequence number. The clerk can pull the case file in minutes when the number is on hand. Without the number, the search relies on name and year.
Filing Year and Court Division
The filing year narrows the search when the case number is missing. Family cases in Broward County are handled in the Unified Family Division. The clerk can search by division, name, and year to find the right case when the requester has at least two of these three items.
Special Cases and Common Request Scenarios
Some Hollywood divorce record requests fall outside the normal search path. These cases need extra steps, different offices, or a court order before the clerk can share the file.
Sealed or Expunged Hollywood Divorce Records
A sealed case is closed to the public. The clerk will not show the file on the portal and will not release copies without a court order. A requester who needs a sealed record must file a motion with the court that handled the case. Expunged records are removed from the clerk’s index, so they cannot be searched by name or case number.
Requests From Out of State
Out-of-state requesters can use the online portal, mail, or a third-party service. The mail route is the most common for people who do not live in Florida. The clerk accepts mailed written requests with a copy of the requester’s photo ID and the correct fee.
Records Used for Name Changes or Remarriage
A certified copy of the final decree is the standard document used to update a Social Security card, driver’s license, or passport after a divorce. The state certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics also works for many agencies. The clerk’s certified copy is the safest choice for legal filings.
Hollywood Divorce Decree Statistics and Filing Trends
Florida publishes statewide data on marriage and divorce through the Department of Health and the Florida Courts. The numbers show filing volume and trend lines, which help requesters set expectations for office traffic and processing time.
Statewide Divorce Filing Trends
Florida’s recent divorce rate sits at about 3.0 per 1,000 residents, based on figures cited by the Florida Department of Health and federal data sources. The statewide marriage rate runs near 7.0 per 1,000. Broward County is one of the more active counties for family filings, so search volume at the clerk’s office stays high year-round.
Broward County Family Court Workload
The 17th Judicial Circuit serves Broward County, which includes Hollywood. The Unified Family Division handles dissolution of marriage, paternity, adoption, and related family matters. A high filing volume means the clerk’s office processes a steady stream of certified copy requests each week.
How Florida Law Protects Divorce Record Access
Florida law sets the rules for who can see divorce records and how the clerk must handle them. Two main laws shape the public access process: the Public Records Act and the court records law.
Florida Public Records Act (Chapter 119)
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes most government records open to the public. Divorce case files held by the clerk fall under this rule. Any member of the public can inspect the file or request a copy, with a few exceptions for sealed records and sensitive personal data.
Court Records and Access Rules (Chapter 382)
Chapter 382 covers vital statistics, which include divorce certificates. The Bureau of Vital Statistics follows this chapter when it issues state certificates. The clerk and the Bureau each follow their own rules but work from the same case file.
Tips for a Smooth Hollywood Divorce Record Request
A few simple habits save time and reduce errors. Requesters who prepare the full packet before reaching out to the clerk often get faster results than those who send partial requests.
Confirm the Right Office First
The City of Hollywood does not store divorce records. Calling the city for these records adds a delay. The Broward County Clerk of Courts is the right office for case files and certified copies. The Bureau of Vital Statistics is the right office for state certificates.
Prepare a Complete Request Packet
A complete packet has a written request, a photo ID copy, full legal names, the case number or filing year, the correct fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail orders. A complete packet lets the clerk process the order in one pass.
Track Request Status With a Reference Number
The clerk gives a reference number for online and walk-in orders. Keeping this number helps with follow-up calls. A requester who calls back with the number and the date of submission gets a faster status update.
Official Contact Details for Hollywood Divorce Records
Hollywood requesters have three main contact points: the City of Hollywood for city records, the Broward County Clerk of Courts for case files, and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for state certificates. Each office has its own phone line, hours, and website.
Hollywood City Hall and City Clerk
The City of Hollywood City Hall sits at 2600 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, FL 33020. The general phone line is 954-967-4200. The City Clerk’s Office phone line is 954-921-3211. Email contacts include cityclerksoffice@hollywoodfl.org and publicrecords@hollywoodfl.org. The city only handles local records, not divorce files.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
The Broward County Courthouse sits at 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The main phone line is 954-831-7700. The Records Division handles certified copy orders for divorce cases filed in Broward County. The clerk’s website hosts the public search portal and the online copy order form.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps state divorce certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present. The Bureau’s website has the order form, fee schedule, and accepted payment methods. State certificates also go through VitalChek for online orders.
For visual context on the state certificate path used for Hollywood divorce records, the official Florida Department of Health records page is the source reference: 
Frequently Asked Questions About Hollywood Divorce Decree Records
This section answers common questions about Hollywood divorce records, who keeps them, how to get copies, and what the rules are. Each answer is based on Florida law, Broward County Clerk rules, and the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics rules. Use these answers as a quick reference before contacting the clerk or the Bureau.
Where are Hollywood divorce records stored?
Hollywood divorce records are stored by the Broward County Clerk of Courts because Hollywood is in Broward County. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics also keeps a state certificate for divorces filed after June 6, 1927. The City of Hollywood does not store divorce records at any office.
How much does a certified copy of a Hollywood divorce decree cost?
The fee for a certified copy of a divorce decree is set under Florida Statute 28.24, which controls clerk fees across the state. The clerk’s fee page lists the current amount. The fee is paid by cash, check, money order, or credit card, depending on the request method.
How long does it take to get a divorce decree in Hollywood?
Walk-in orders at the Broward County Clerk are often ready the same day. Mail orders take a few business days plus return mail time. Online orders through the clerk’s portal process faster than mail. State certificates from the Bureau of Vital Statistics take longer because of the 60-day state filing delay after the final judgment.
Can I view a Hollywood divorce record online for free?
Yes. The Broward County Clerk public portal shows basic case data for free. Users can search by name or case number and see the docket, filing date, and final judgment date. Certified copies and full case documents still need a paid copy request through the clerk or the state Bureau.
What if I do not know the case number for a Hollywood divorce?
The clerk can search by full legal names and filing year when the case number is missing. Adding a birth year or middle name helps the search. The clerk’s Records Division staff run the search and pull the case file once they confirm the match.
Are Hollywood divorce records public?
Most Hollywood divorce records are public under Florida law. A judge can seal a case when there is a strong reason, such as safety, child welfare, or sensitive financial data. Sealed records are not on the public portal and need a court order before the clerk can share them.
Can I get a Hollywood divorce decree from another state?
Yes. Out-of-state requesters can use the Broward County Clerk online portal, mail a written request to the Records Division, or order a state certificate from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Mail and online orders work for people who do not live in Florida, with photo ID and the correct fee.