Homestead City Divorce Decree Records are official court papers that prove a marriage ended in Homestead, Florida. Homestead sits in Miami-Dade County, so divorce records live at the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts, not the City of Homestead.
The city clerk only handles city records like meeting minutes and ordinances. Knowing this saves you time and money when you need a copy of your final divorce decree.
Why Homestead Divorce Records Use Miami-Dade County
Homestead is part of Miami-Dade County. All Florida divorce cases go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was filed. For Homestead residents, that county is Miami-Dade. The City of Homestead City Clerk Office does not store divorce decrees. They will tell you to contact the county clerk. This setup matches Florida law, which names the clerk of court as the official record keeper for all family court cases.
What the City of Homestead City Clerk Does
The City Clerk Office handles city records, not court records. They keep city council minutes, local ordinances, contracts, and other city papers. The office address is 790 N Krome Ave, Homestead, FL 33030. The phone number is (305) 224-4400. The email is cityclerk@cityofhomestead.com. If you ask them for a divorce decree, they will point you to the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts.
What the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts Handles
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts keeps all family court records for the county. This includes Homestead divorce filings, final judgments, and dissolution of marriage records. The main family court office is at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Avenue, 14th Floor, Miami, FL 33128. You can also reach them by phone at (305) 275-1155. This office is the only place to get a certified copy of your Homestead divorce decree.
How to Search Online by Case Number or Name
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts runs an online case search system. You can use it to check if a divorce case exists. The portal is free for basic searches. You need a name or a case number to start. Case numbers work best. If you only have a name, you can still search, but you may see many results. The online tool shows case status, party names, filing dates, and event history.
What You Can See for Free
The free online portal shows docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. You can see if a case is open, closed, or pending. You can also see the names of the people in the case. Many entries link to filed documents. Some documents cost a fee to view. Free searches help you confirm a case exists before paying for full copies.
What Costs Money to View
Viewing the full document image often costs $1 per page. Certified copies cost more. A plain copy of the final judgment runs a few dollars per page. A certified copy with the clerk seal costs more per page under Florida Statute § 28.24. Payment usually happens online with a credit card during the request step.
How to Request a Certified Copy
A certified copy has the clerk’s seal and signature. Banks, courts, and government offices often require this type. You can order one in person, by mail, or online through the clerk portal. Certified copies cost more than regular copies. Each request needs a valid ID and payment. The clerk will mail the certified copy to you or let you pick it up.
Requesting a Certified Copy Online
The Miami-Dade Clerk website lets you order certified copies online. You search for your case, select the final judgment, and pay the fee. You will need a credit or debit card. The portal guides you through each step. After payment, the clerk prepares the certified copy. You can often download a digital certified copy or request a mailed paper copy.
Requesting a Certified Copy by Mail
To request by mail, send a written request to the clerk office. Include the case number, full legal names of both spouses, the year the divorce was finalized, and your contact details. Add a copy of your photo ID. Include a check or money order for the fee. Mail it to the Family Court section at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse address. The clerk will mail back your certified copy.
Requesting a Certified Copy in Person
You can visit the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center at 175 NW 1st Avenue, 14th Floor, Miami, FL 33128. Go to the Family Court records window. Bring a photo ID, case details, and payment. Staff will pull the file and make copies while you wait. In-person visits often work faster for same-day needs. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except court holidays.
Request by Mail or In Person
Mail requests work for people who do not live near Miami. In-person visits work for people who need the copy the same day. Both routes use the same clerk office. The choice depends on how fast you need the record and how far you live from the courthouse. Each method has its own fee and timing.
Mail Request Form and Sample Letter
The clerk office accepts simple written letters. Your letter should include the case number, full legal names of both parties, the year the case closed, your relationship to the case, and a daytime phone number. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can mail your copies back. Sign the letter. Keep a copy for your own files.
What to Bring for In-Person Visits
Bring a valid photo ID like a driver license or passport. Bring any case details you have, including names, dates, and the case number. Bring cash, check, or card for the fee. If you are picking up a copy for someone else, bring a signed letter of permission and a copy of that person’s ID. Staff may ask you to sign a release form at the window.
Fees, Processing Times, and Delays
Florida law sets the base fees for court records. The fee schedule lives in Florida Statute § 28.24. Certified copies of court documents usually cost a set amount per page plus a certification fee. Online portal fees may add a small service charge. Processing times depend on the request method and office workload.
Fee Table for Common Requests
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy (per page) | Set by Fla. Stat. § 28.24 |
| Plain copy (per page) | Lower per-page rate |
| Online portal service fee | Small added charge per order |
| State dissolution certificate | $5 through Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics |
Typical Processing Time
Online orders process in a few business days for most cases. Mail requests take longer because of postal time on both ends. In-person requests often finish the same day for older cases. Very recent cases may take longer because the clerk still needs to index the final judgment. Florida state research notes a delay of about 60 days before the state health office gets the report, so local clerk searches are faster for recent Homestead divorces.
Florida Law That Controls These Records
Florida’s Public Records Act, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, makes most court records open to the public. This includes Homestead divorce decrees. A judge can seal a file, but that is rare. Most divorce records stay public forever. Other laws set the fees, filing rules, and how long records stay on file.
Public Access Under Chapter 119
Chapter 119 gives you the right to view and copy most government records. Divorce filings fall under this law. The clerk must let you see the case docket and filed papers. You can ask for copies, but you have to pay the fee. Sealed records are the only common exception. If a record is sealed, you cannot view it without a court order.
Filing Fees Under Florida Statutes
Florida Statute § 61.021 covers the basic rule for filing a divorce. At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before filing. The filing fee for a new divorce runs $408 to $419, based on the county. These fees are for new cases, not copies of old decrees. The clerk can give you the current fee when you file.
Record Storage and Retention
Clerk offices keep divorce records on file for many decades. Older paper files may sit in archives. Newer files sit in the digital case management system. The clerk can pull old files for a small search fee. If the file is too old to find easily, the clerk will tell you what to do next. Vital records, like the state dissolution certificate, are held by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for a long time.
Common Questions About Homestead Divorce Records
Many people ask the same questions when they need a Homestead divorce decree. The answers below cover the most common needs. They use the same rules and contacts listed above. If your question is not here, call the clerk office at (305) 275-1155 for help.
Can I Search Without a Case Number
Yes. The Miami-Dade online portal lets you search by name. You will see a list of matching cases. You can open each one to check the details. The name search works best when you know the full legal name of one or both spouses. You can also add a year filter to narrow the results.
What Is the Difference Between a Decree and a Certificate
The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the decree. It has the terms of the divorce, like property and custody. The dissolution certificate is a short state form that proves the marriage ended. Most legal needs call for the decree. Some needs only need the certificate. The decree comes from the clerk. The certificate comes from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Can I Get a Divorce Record From Another County
Only the county where the divorce was granted keeps the court file. If the divorce was filed in another Florida county, you must contact that county’s clerk. The Homestead clerk only has Homestead cases. If you are not sure where the divorce was filed, start with the county where the spouses last lived together.
Are Sealed Divorce Records Possible to Get
Sealed records are very rare. A judge must sign an order to seal a file. If your case is sealed, you cannot view it without that court order. If you think your file is sealed, call the clerk office to ask. They will tell you how to file a motion to open the seal. Most people do not need a sealed record.
Official Contacts and Office Details
The contact details below are the official sources for Homestead divorce decree records. Use the county clerk for all court records. Use the state office only for the short dissolution certificate. The city clerk is not the right office for divorce records, but they can help point you in the right direction if you get lost.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts Family Court
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Avenue, 14th Floor, Miami, FL 33128. Phone: (305) 275-1155. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except court holidays. This office handles all Homestead divorce filings, judgments, and certified copies. Online case search is on the Miami-Dade Clerk website.
City of Homestead City Clerk Office
790 N Krome Ave, Homestead, FL 33030. Phone: (305) 224-4400. Email: cityclerk@cityofhomestead.com. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This office handles city records only. They do not keep divorce decrees. They can answer general questions and direct you to the county clerk.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
For state dissolution certificates only, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The cost is $5 per certificate. You can order online through VitalChek or by mail. This is a short form, not the full decree. Use it only when the receiving party asks for a certificate, not a decree.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common long-tail searches about Homestead divorce decree records. Each answer gives direct, action-ready details. Use them to skip extra searches and get straight to the right office or form. The answers below come from Florida law, official clerk pages, and current 2026 office practices.
How Do I Get a Copy of My Homestead Divorce Decree Online
Go to the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts online case search portal. Search by your case number or full legal name. Open the closed case and find the final judgment entry. Select the certified copy option. Pay the fee with a credit or debit card. The portal will email you when your certified copy is ready. You can download a digital certified copy or ask for a mailed paper copy. Keep the file for your records.
What If I Lost My Case Number for a Homestead Divorce
Use the name search on the Miami-Dade Clerk portal. Type the full legal name of either spouse. Add the year you think the divorce ended. Browse the results until you find the right case. The docket will show the case number, the judge, and the final judgment date. You can also call the clerk office at (305) 275-1155 and ask staff to help you locate the case number using your name and ID.
Can Someone Else Pick Up My Homestead Divorce Decree
Yes, with a signed letter of permission. Write a letter that includes your full name, the case number, the name of the person picking up the copy, and the date. Sign the letter and add a copy of your photo ID. The person picking up the copy must bring their own photo ID and your signed letter. The clerk will check the ID before releasing the certified copy. This rule protects your privacy.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Certified Copy
Online orders take a few business days in most cases. In-person orders at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center can finish the same day for older cases. Mail requests take longer because of postal time on both ends. Very recent cases may take extra days because the clerk still needs to index the final judgment. Plan ahead for mail orders, especially if you have a deadline.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Get a Divorce Decree Copy
No. You do not need a lawyer to get a copy of your own divorce decree. The clerk office serves the public directly. You can place the order online, by mail, or in person. If you need a sealed record, you may need a lawyer to file a motion. For a regular copy of a public case, the clerk staff will help you without a lawyer present.
What Does a Homestead Divorce Decree Look Like
The final judgment is a court order signed by the judge. It lists the case number, the full names of both spouses, the date the judge signed it, and the terms of the divorce. The terms cover property, debt, custody, and support. The clerk’s seal and signature appear on a certified copy. A plain copy does not have the seal. Banks and courts usually want the certified version.
Can I Get a Homestead Divorce Decree From Out of State
Yes. You can order online from any state with a credit card. You can also mail a written request to the Miami-Dade Clerk. Include the case number, names, year, your ID copy, and a check or money order. The clerk will mail the certified copy to your out-of-state address. Plan for mail time on both ends. Online orders are the fastest option for people who live far from Miami.