Florida Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Divorce records provide definitive proof of the official termination of a legal union and detail the current marital status of the parties involved. In Florida, these records are formally identified as Records of Dissolution of Marriage.

Divorce documents extend beyond mere historic records; these records play a vital role in ensuring proper transfer of property titles, managing estates, facilitating legal name changes, confirming spousal status for pension benefits, and determining a divorcee's eligibility to remarry. The state's divorce rate is estimated based on its residents per 1,000 in the annual population census. Statistical data published by the National Center for Health Statistics in 2023 place the state's divorce rate at 3.0 per 1,000 population, compared to the marriage rate of 7.0 per 1,000 population during the same period (in other words, 43% of the marriage rate).

Florida's divorce record system is structured into two distinct record types: divorce certificates and decrees. This two-tiered approach creates a clear division of administrative responsibilities between agencies and clarifies proper procedures for record retrieval. This framework is specific to Florida, as the management and availability of divorce records can vary considerably across states.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Florida

Florida's dissolution of marriage records are categorized into three interconnected types of documentation, unique in their applications, issuing authority, and record contents.

• Divorce Certificate: Classified as one of the state's vital records, this document (or abstract) evidences that a divorce was finalized and granted. It is distinct from the actual judgment dissolving a marriage.
• Divorce Decree (or Final Judgment of Divorce): A legally binding document issued in the county where the dissolution process was completed. The divorce decree is crucial for securing the enforcement of specific performance from an ex-spouse, approving a custody arrangement or parenting plan, addressing property claims, and ensuring compliance with financial responsibilities (e.g., back support).
• Divorce Case File: This includes all legal documents related to a divorce proceeding.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Certificate	Florida Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Vital Statistics	Official proof of divorce	Spouses' full names, divorce date, and county of dissolution.
Divorce Decree	County clerk of the circuit court's family division	Details the binding terms	Alimony, custody, property division, and visitation rights/responsibilities
Divorce Case File	County clerk of the circuit court's family division	Comprehensive case history	Transcripts, evidence, affidavits, motions, responses, petitions, temporary orders, and final judgments

Public Access and Confidentiality of Florida Divorce Records

Under Florida's Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration, Rule 2.420, most court records are considered publicly accessible. This includes divorce court records, such as the initiating divorce petition, details of property division, support orders, and final judgments. However, to secure specific proceedings, sensitive information, or the privacy of the parties involved, certain records are sealed or restricted from public disclosure. Examples include

• Bank account details (including debit/credit card numbers)
• Social Security Numbers (SSNs)
• Medical records
• Certain child protection cases
• Phone numbers, home addresses, and other identifying information of certain protected personnel, such as Department of Health staff, judges, and specific law enforcement officers
• Domestic violence/child abuse details

The Bureau of Vital Statistics is the legal authority responsible for issuing certified divorce certificates in Florida. The office's location and contact information are provided below.

Bureau of Vital Statistics

Florida Department of Health

What Information Do Florida Divorce Records Include?

In Florida, the details found in divorce records depend on the document type. Generally, abstract records (the divorce certificates) provide limited information, whereas a divorce decree is a comprehensive legal document.

Divorce Certificate (Abstract)

• Spouses' full name
• The specific date of dissolution (including the day/month/year)
• The county in which the divorce decree was issued

Divorce Certificate (Final Judgment)

• Filing and dissolution date
• Legal grounds for dissolution, e.g., statements that the union was irretrievably broken
• Details of financial awards: type, duration, and amount
• Child custody/support obligations
• Distribution of marital assets and debts, including terms for transferring real estate, retirement accounts, and vehicles
• Approved parenting plan detailing legal custody and timesharing arrangements
• Judicial findings on criminal history or domestic violence, which may be crucial for deciding child custody

The specific contents of a divorce record may also differ by county, influenced by local court regulations and documentation procedures.

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Florida

Divorce records in Florida can be accessed via official sources, including the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics and local circuit clerk offices.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Typical Fees
Vital Records	Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics	June 6, 1927-present	Certificate only	$15 (includes a $5 search and $10 rush fee) and $4 for each additional copy of the same record ordered. $2 per year for searches, capped at a $50 maximum fee when the exact year is unknown.
County Clerks	Family Division of the Circuit Court	All	Complete case files and Certified Decrees	$2 search fee per year, $2 for certification, and $1 per page copied

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Florida

Certified copies are official duplicates of original documents, verified by the record custodian and marked with the office's seal for authenticity. In Florida, certified copies of divorce records are essential for various government transactions and legal procedures, such as obtaining a new marriage license and satisfying travel requirements. Requests for these records are processed by the State Bureau of Vital Statistics or the local circuit clerk.

Requesting Certified Divorce Certificate (Vital Statistics)

This type of record request requires interaction with the Florida Department of Health. It involves the following steps:

• Verify Available Records: The DOH holds records from June 6, 1927, to the present; earlier records are unavailable from this source.

• Direct Request or Authorized Vendor: A request can be submitted in two ways: via the DOH's authorized vendor or a record request form/written request in person or via mail to the depa.

• Possess Event Details: Requesters will need to provide the full legal names of both parties, pre-marital names, divorce date, or county of dissolution. They will also need to include their full name, signature, mailing address, and relationship to the divorced parties.

• Payment of Fees: The requester agrees to the search process by paying the statutory research and copy fees, which are non-refundable even if records are not found. A rush fee of $10 applies to same-day physical requests and case file searches before 1970.

Requesting Certified Copy of a Divorce Decree (Court Record)

Obtaining a decree from the circuit court clerk involves the following procedures:

• Identify Relevant Court: Records are managed at the county level by the circuit clerk of the court where the divorce was finalized.

• Verify Request Channel: Requesters can verify ordering methods, required IDs, business hours, and payment options by contacting the circuit court clerk via mail, phone, or in person.

• Supply Search Details: Requesters must provide both spouses' full names, case file number, and divorce date for a quick search. When the dissolution date is unknown, the search incurs a statutory fee of $2 per calendar year.

• Pay Necessary Fees: A $1 per-page search fee and a $2 per-document fee for certification apply. Although payment methods differ across counties, they generally include money orders/cashier's checks and cash.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who Can Order (Level of Access)	Legal Use
Divorce Certificate	Florida DOH, Bureau of Vital Statistics	Widely accessible with no restrictions	Official name change, vital records verification, and proof for remarriage
Certified Degree (Judgment)	County Circuit Court Clerk	Publicly available, yet subject to redaction and online portal registration. Sensitive details are restricted to legal counsel and the parties involved in the case.	Retirement/pension claims, property title clearance, and enforcement of support orders

Why Search for Divorce Records in Florida?

Divorce record searches in Florida may be conducted for any of the following reasons:

Background Checks: This investigation is often conducted by financial or legal analysts to assess an individual's adherence to court-ordered financial obligations, such as support payments and asset division. While these records are prohibited for standard employment screenings, they are essential for verifying information related to high-level clearances or professions.

Historical Research: Divorce records offer reliable information for genealogical and historical research by confirming spouses' relationships, locations, and separation dates, thus enhancing family history studies.

Legal Status Verification: One of the primary reasons for requesting a divorce record is to verify or change legal status. Divorce records are essential for administrative tasks, such as documenting marital status for remarriage and providing legal proof of ownership transfers.

Additionally, a divorce record is crucial for filing motions related to support obligations, parenting plans, or alimony in court.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Florida?

The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration specify minimum retention periods for court records. For most marriage dissolution cases, the approved retention period for the comprehensive court file is a minimum of 10 years from the date of the last record activity. In cases of simplified dissolution (with no support/custody issues), the court permits record destruction after five years from the last case activity. However, records related to financial obligations, such as spousal/child support and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, are kept up to 20 years or more.

In contrast, abstracts maintained by the state's DOH, Bureau of Statistics, are permanently retained and not subject to the judicial retention periods. Divorce certificates are archived as permanent vital records, enabling the official dissolution of marriage to be verifiable indefinitely.