In Florida, divorce records are public information under the Public Records Act (PRA). Public records are government documents and the public can access and get copies of divorce records. But if a court orders specific divorce records to be sealed or expunged, those will not be public. Even when records are sealed, they are often redacted not sealed so some information will still be available.
Getting Divorce Records in Florida
When a divorce is final in Florida, the court sends the records to the state and they become public like other court documents. If you want divorce records, you can get them from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
Third-Party Websites for Divorce Record Search
Many third-party websites offer public records including divorce documents. These sites make searching for divorce records easier by allowing you to search across multiple jurisdictions. But these sites are not government sources so the availability of records may vary. To search on these sites you will typically need to:
- The full name of the person in the divorce.
- The location (city, county, or state) where the divorce was filed.
Please note these third-party services are not government sponsored so the information may not always be complete or accurate.
Types of Divorce Records in Florida
Florida has several types of divorce records:
1. Divorce Decree
- What it includes: The final order from the court, including child custody, assets, spousal support, and other agreed-upon terms.
- Who can get it: Divorce decrees are generally only available to the parties to the divorce and their attorneys.
2. Divorce Certificate
- What it includes: Basic information such as the names of the parties, the date the divorce was final, and the location of the divorce.
- Who can get it: Generally available to the parties to the divorce and the attorneys who handled the case.
3. Divorce Case Files
- What it includes: The most complete type of divorce record, includes all filed documents, evidence, testimony, and transcripts from court proceedings. It also includes decisions on child custody, financial arrangements, and other orders.
- Who can get it: Parts of the case files may be public but sensitive information is generally restricted to the parties and attorneys.
How to Get Divorce Records in Florida
There are several ways to get divorce records in Florida:
1. By Mail
- Process: Send a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
- Fees: A small processing fee applies and varies by county.
- How to pay: A check or money order should be made payable to “Vital Statistics”.
2. In-Person
- Where: Go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the correct county to get the records.
- Cost: $5 to $20 per record depending on the county.
- Payment options: Cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa and Mastercard).
3. Online
- Availability: Many counties have online portals to request divorce records. These records usually provide limited information such as names of the parties, case number, and filing date.
- Fees: Online requests are $5 to $10 and fees may vary by service provider.
Get a Divorce Certificate from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics has divorce records since June 6, 1927. You can get a copy of a divorce certificate by:
- Fill out an application: This can be submitted in person or by mail.
- Fees: $5 for the standard copy, $4 for each additional copy in the same order. Expedited requests are $10 and a $2 search fee if the exact year of the divorce is unknown.
- Processing time: 3 to 5 business days, older records (before 1970) may take longer.
Where to Send Requests
- In-person: 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 (Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- By mail: P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Who Can Get Divorce Records in Florida?
In Florida, some divorce records are public but sensitive information is restricted:
- Public: Basic information such as names of the parties, filing date, and case number is available to anyone who requests it.
- Authorized: Detailed records such as divorce decrees and case files with private information (like child custody arrangements) are available to:
- The parties to the divorce.
- The attorneys for the parties.
are divorce records public in florida? (Online)
Yes, Florida has online divorce case files through the local county Clerk of the Circuit Court website. These online records usually include case numbers, filing dates, and names of the parties. But they don’t have the complete details of the divorce (like financial settlements or child custody orders).
For detailed records including a certified copy of the divorce decree, you need to request in person or by mail.
Expert Legal Help At Herman Legal Group, LLC
24/7 Support, Just A Call Away!
