Miami Dade County divorce decree records are official court files that prove a marriage ended through a final judgment. These records come from the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts and include the signed decree, case number, judge name, and the date the divorce became final.
Many people need these records to update legal papers, change a last name, settle property matters, or remarry. You can get them online, by mail, or in person at the clerk office in downtown Miami.
What Miami Dade County Divorce Decree Records Include
A divorce decree is the final order signed by a Florida judge that ends a marriage. The clerk office keeps a copy of this order as a public record. Each decree file holds key facts that prove the divorce happened and shows what the court ordered. These records are different from a marriage certificate, which only shows the marriage. The decree shows both the start of the case and the end result.
Core Parts of a Divorce Decree File
The decree file has several parts that matter for legal and personal use. The first page lists the case number, the full legal names of both spouses, and the judge who signed the order. Later pages list the terms of the divorce, such as property division, child custody, alimony, and name changes. The last page carries the judge’s signature and the court seal. This seal makes the document valid for use with banks, insurance, and other government agencies.
- Case number from the circuit court
- Full legal names of both parties
- Filing date and final judgment date
- Signed judge’s name and court seal
- Property, custody, and support terms
Who Can Request a Copy
Anyone can ask for a basic record check because Florida court records are public. For a certified copy with the court seal, the rules are tighter. The two people named in the case, their lawyers, and certain government offices can order a certified copy. Some third parties can also order a certified copy with a court order or written consent from one of the parties. Always check current rules before paying the fee.
How to Search Miami Dade County Divorce Records Online
The fastest way to start a search is through the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts online portal. The portal lets you look up case data by name or case number. You do not need an account for a basic search. For full document images, you may need to create a free account or pay a small fee per page. The site is open 24 hours a day, so you can search at any time.
Using the Clerk Website Search Tool
Go to the official Miami-Dade Clerk website and click the court records search link. Enter the last name of either spouse. Add a first name if you know it. You can narrow the search by adding a year range or case type. The tool shows cases filed in the Family Division of the circuit court. Click a case number to see the full case history. If the case is sealed, the system blocks the view, and you must contact the clerk office directly.
Searching by Case Number
If you already have a case number, the search takes only a few seconds. Type the full 20-digit case number into the portal. The system pulls up the exact file. You can then view the final judgment and print it for your own use. A printout without the raised court seal is not a certified copy. Banks and government offices will not accept a plain printout for legal updates.
Florida Statewide Divorce Records Search
The Florida Department of Health keeps a statewide record of dissolutions of marriage. These records cover all 67 counties. The state file shows the names of both parties, the county where the case was filed, and the date the court finalized the divorce. This tool works well when you do not know the exact county. It does not show the full decree terms, only the basic fact of the divorce. For a complete copy, return to the county clerk that handled the case.
How to Get a Certified Copy of a Divorce Decree
A certified copy carries the raised court seal and a clerk signature. It is the only version that banks, insurance firms, and federal agencies accept. You can order a certified copy in three ways: in person, by mail, or online. Each method has the same fee, but the speed and payment options differ. Pick the method that fits your timeline and location.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk Office
Visit the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts main office at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. Bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver license or passport. Give the clerk the full legal names of both parties, the year of filing, and the case number if you have one. Pay the fee by cash, credit card, or debit card. The clerk can print a certified copy the same day in most cases. This is the fastest way to get your record.
Mail-In Request Process
Send a written request to the clerk office with the full names of both parties, the case number if known, the year of filing, and your contact details. Include a copy of your photo ID. Add a check or money order for the fee. Mail the package to the Records Section at the Flagler Street address. The office usually processes mail requests within 7 to 10 business days. Mail is a good choice if you live outside Miami-Dade County.
Online Certified Copy Orders
The clerk website lets you place a certified copy order through a secure portal. Enter the case number or search by name. Pay the fee by credit card. The office mails the certified copy to your address. You can also use the state vital records site for a basic verification certificate. For the full decree with the court seal, the county clerk portal is the right choice.
Divorce Decree Fees and Payment Methods
The clerk office sets the fee for each certified copy. The fee covers the search, the copy, and the court seal. Payment rules depend on how you place the order. Always confirm the current fee on the clerk website before sending payment. Fees can change with new court rules each year.
Standard Fee Schedule
The base fee for a certified copy of a divorce decree in Miami-Dade County is $15 per copy. A document search adds $1 per page if the clerk must look through older files by hand. Extra copies of the same decree cost the same $15 fee. Apostille services and expedited shipping add to the total cost. The clerk office lists all fees on its public fee schedule page.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce decree | $15 per copy | Includes court seal |
| Document search fee | $1 per page | Charged for manual lookups |
| Additional certified copies | $15 each | Same decree, multiple copies |
| Apostille processing | $10 plus notary fees | For international use |
Accepted Payment Methods
Each request channel accepts different payment types. The online portal takes major credit cards and debit cards. Mail-in requests accept checks and money orders made out to the Clerk of Courts. Cash, credit, and debit cards work at the in-person counter. Never send cash through the mail. The clerk office does not accept personal checks for in-person walk-up requests over $1,000.
Processing Time and Delivery Details
Processing speed depends on the request method and office workload. In-person orders finish the same day in most cases. Mail and online orders take longer because the clerk must receive, log, and process the request. Plan ahead if you need the decree for a legal deadline. Always keep a copy of your payment record in case the clerk office needs to look up your order.
Same-Day In-Person Service
Walk-in customers can get a certified copy during the same visit when the case file is in the system. The clerk pulls the file, prints a copy, applies the court seal, and signs the page. You leave the office with a valid certified decree. Wait times grow during lunch hours and the start of the month. Early morning visits tend to be the fastest.
Standard Mail and Online Wait Times
Mail requests take about 7 to 10 business days from the date the clerk receives your letter. Online orders take a similar window plus mail delivery time. Add another 3 to 5 business days for return shipping within the United States. The clerk office does not email certified copies. All certified documents must travel by mail or pickup in person to keep the court seal valid.
Tracking Your Request
Online orders get a confirmation email with a tracking number. Save this email until you receive your documents. Mail requests do not have a tracking number, but you can use certified mail with return receipt. The clerk office staff can look up a pending order if you call the Records Section with your name and payment details. Keep copies of all paperwork until the order arrives.
Florida Divorce Decree Apostille Services
An apostille is a state certificate that proves your divorce decree is real for use in another country. Florida is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, so a Florida apostille works in most member countries. You only need an apostille when a foreign government, bank, or court asks for one. U.S. agencies do not need an apostille for domestic use.
When You Need an Apostille
You need an apostille when you remarry abroad, claim property in another country, update foreign visas, or settle estate matters outside the United States. The apostille goes on a certified copy of the decree, not on a plain printout. The Florida Secretary of State office in Tallahassee issues apostilles for court records from any Florida county. Processing time is usually 5 to 10 business days.
Steps to Get an Apostille
First, get a certified copy of the decree from the Miami-Dade clerk office. Second, fill out the apostille request form from the Florida Secretary of State website. Third, mail the certified decree, the form, and the fee to the Tallahassee office. The Secretary of State returns the apostilled decree by mail. Some private courier services offer faster apostille service for an extra fee.
Common Problems When Requesting Divorce Records
Most requests go through without trouble. Some requests hit a snag because of missing data, name changes, or old files. Knowing the common problems helps you avoid delays. The clerk office staff can answer most questions by phone during business hours. Plan ahead so you have time to fix any issue before your deadline.
Missing Case Numbers or Filing Years
A case number speeds up the search. Without one, the clerk must search by name. A name search works best when you know the exact spelling at the time of filing. Middle names, maiden names, and name changes after the divorce can slow the search. The clerk office can pull older files by hand for a $1 per page search fee.
Records Sealed by Court Order
Some divorce cases are sealed by a judge. Sealed records are not open to the public, even online. Only the people named in the case, their lawyers, and certain agencies can view a sealed file. To get a sealed record, you must file a motion with the court and show a legal reason. The court then decides whether to open the file for review.
Old Records Stored Off-Site
Very old divorce files from the 1900s may sit in off-site storage. The clerk office must pull these files by hand, which adds days to the request. Off-site records also cost more to copy because of the search fee. The clerk office can tell you by phone if your file is in off-site storage before you pay the fee.
Divorce Decree Search by Name in Florida
A name-based search works in most cases. Type the last name of either spouse into the search tool. Add a first name and a middle name if you know them. Filter by case type to show only Family Division cases. The portal shows case numbers, filing dates, and judge names. Click a case to see the full docket and any open documents.
Tips for Accurate Name Searches
Use the full legal name at the time of the divorce. Avoid nicknames. Try both spouses’ last names if you do not know which one kept the name after the divorce. Widen the year range to catch cases filed in nearby years. If the search returns too many results, add a middle initial or a date of birth to narrow the list.
Limitations of Name Searches
Name searches do not work on sealed cases. They also miss cases where the court changed a name on the file. Some older cases from before digital records may not appear online. The clerk office can run a manual search for a small fee when the online tool does not return the right case. Bring as many facts as you can to speed up the manual search.
How Long Divorce Records Stay on File
Florida law keeps divorce records on file permanently. The clerk office does not destroy old case files. Files from 50 or 100 years ago are still on record. Older files may sit in off-site storage, but the records still exist. The clerk office staff can pull any file on file as long as it is not sealed by court order.
Access to Old Divorce Records
Anyone can request a record check on an old case. The rules on certified copies depend on the case status. For very old sealed cases, the court may lift the seal on request. The clerk office staff can guide you on the steps to unseal an old file. The process can take several weeks, so plan ahead for old record requests.
Official Office Contact Details
For all Miami-Dade County divorce decree record requests, contact the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts at the office listed below. You can visit in person, call during business hours, or send mail. The clerk staff can answer questions about fees, status checks, and request forms. The office is open Monday through Friday, closed on weekends and court holidays.
Main Office Address and Phone
The main clerk office sits at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. The Records Section handles divorce decree requests. The main phone line is 305-275-1155. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Use the official website for the most current hours and fee updates before you visit.
Online Resources and Forms
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts website hosts the online search portal, request forms, and fee schedules. The Florida Department of Health vital records site handles statewide dissolution records. The Florida Secretary of State office handles apostille requests for international use. These three sites cover most needs for divorce decree records in Miami-Dade County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about Miami Dade County divorce decree records. These answers cover the most common situations people face when they need a divorce record. The facts come from the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts and Florida state law. For case-specific advice, contact the clerk office or a licensed family law attorney in Florida.
How Do I Find a Divorce Case Number in Miami-Dade County?
You can find a case number by searching the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts online portal with the full legal names of either spouse. The portal returns a list of Family Division cases with case numbers, filing dates, and judge names. If the online search returns no results, call the Records Section at 305-275-1155. A clerk can run a manual search for a small fee. The Florida Department of Health statewide dissolution search also shows the county and filing year, which can help you narrow the search. Always use the full legal name at the time of the divorce, since name changes after the case can affect the search results.
Can I Get a Divorce Decree Online in Florida?
You can view a divorce decree image online through the Miami-Dade Clerk portal when the case is open to the public. A printout from the portal is not a certified copy. For a certified copy with the court seal, you must order it through the clerk office in person, by mail, or through the certified copy portal. The clerk office then mails the certified copy or you can pick it up in person. The Florida Department of Health site issues a basic verification certificate, not the full decree. Plan for 7 to 10 business days for mail delivery of certified copies.
What Is the Difference Between a Divorce Decree and a Divorce Certificate?
A divorce decree is the full court order that ends the marriage. It lists the case number, the judge, the terms of property division, custody, and support. A divorce certificate is a short state form that proves the divorce happened. The certificate shows names, county, and date. The decree is what most banks, insurance firms, and courts want. The certificate works for simple proof of status. For legal updates, name changes, and most government filings, the certified decree is the right document.
How Much Does a Certified Divorce Decree Cost in Miami-Dade County?
The base fee for a certified copy of a divorce decree in Miami-Dade County is $15 per copy. A manual document search adds $1 per page. Apostille service costs $10 plus notary fees when you need the decree for use in another country. Rush processing and faster shipping add extra fees. Payment by credit card is available online and in person. Mail-in orders take checks and money orders. Always check the current fee schedule on the clerk website before sending payment, as fees can change with court budget updates each year.
Can Anyone Get a Copy of a Divorce Decree in Florida?
Anyone can search the public case docket and view non-sealed files in Miami-Dade County. Certified copies with the court seal have tighter rules. The two people named in the case, their lawyers, and certain government offices can order certified copies. Other people can order a certified copy with a signed consent form from one of the parties or a court order. Sealed cases are closed to the public, and only named parties or their lawyers can view the file. For case-specific questions about access, contact the clerk office before placing an order.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce Decree Copy?
In-person requests at the Miami-Dade clerk office can finish the same day when the case file is in the active system. Mail requests take about 7 to 10 business days from receipt. Online certified copy orders take 7 to 10 business days plus shipping time. Very old files in off-site storage add several days to the wait. The clerk office staff can give you a status update if you call with your order details. Plan ahead for legal deadlines to avoid rush fees.
Do I Need an Apostille for My Florida Divorce Decree?
You need an apostille when a foreign government, foreign court, or foreign bank asks for one. The apostille proves the court seal and signatures on the decree are real. U.S. agencies do not need an apostille for domestic use. The Florida Secretary of State office in Tallahassee issues apostilles for Florida court records. You must first get a certified copy of the decree from the Miami-Dade clerk office before applying for the apostille. Standard processing takes 5 to 10 business days through the Secretary of State.