What is a Divorce Certificate in Florida?
In Florida, a divorce certificate (also known as a Dissolution of Marriage Certificate) is a document that contains abstract information about the judgment issued in the divorce. The details typically contained in Florida divorce records, including certificates, are:
- Who initiated the divorce
- When the divorce was finalized
- Where the divorce occurred
Florida’s Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics is responsible for maintaining and making divorce certificates in the state accessible to the general public. However, the Bureau only holds divorce records registered between June 6, 1927, to the present. For divorces prior to June 6, 1927, interested persons can query the Clerk of the Circuit Court or the County Clerk's Office in the County where the divorce was granted.
Are Divorce Certificates Public in Florida?
Yes. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, the general public has the right to inspect and copy all state, county, and municipal records maintained by government agencies. This statute covers divorce certificates making them publicly accessible records. Chapter 119 is also known as Florida’s Public Record Law. Nonetheless, the chapter has some restrictions on records that may limit public access. The general public typically cannot access records that are sealed by a court order or that have been expunged. Only authorized individuals are given access to these records in such circumstances. On the other hand, other vital records like death records/death certificate and birth certificate/records have confidentiality periods during which public disclosure is restricted.
Where to Get a Divorce Certificate in Florida
Divorce certificates in Florida recorded between June 6, 1927, to the present are obtainable through the state Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Bureau generates and maintains different vital records certificates in Florida. These include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. For divorce certificates recorded prior to June 6, 1927, record seekers would need to query the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the County where the divorce was granted.
Interested persons can also obtain divorce certificates in Florida through third-party vendors that provide vital records ordering services in the state. However, since third-party vendors are typically not sponsored by the government, there are no guarantees on the availability or accuracy of certificates obtained through such means.
How to Get a Divorce Certificate in Florida
As earlier mentioned, interested persons can obtain divorce certificates issued in Florida between June 6, 1927, to the present by querying the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Bureau offers walk-in and mail-in services record seekers can use to request divorce certificates it maintains. Both services require record seekers to complete the Application for Dissolution of marriage form (DH290) and pay the necessary fees to make their request. Record seekers can choose not to use the DH290 form and make their request in writing instead. A written request must include details about the requester and persons named on the certificate. These details include:
- The full name of both spouses named on the record
- The date of the divorce
- The name of the county where the divorce was granted
- The requester’s full name and contact information, such as their mailing address and phone number
- The requesters signature
- The requester’s relationship to the persons named on the certificate
The Bureau charges a $5 search fee for one certified copy of a requested certificate and $4 per additional certified copy requested. If the date of the divorce is unknown, the Bureau can charge a search fee of up to $50 per calendar year. An extra $10 is required if a record seeker wants to order a certificate issued before 1970 through same-day walk-in service. The acceptable forms of payment for walk-in services fees include cash, check, money order, Visa, and MasterCard. Interested persons can obtain divorce certificates by walk-in service at the Bureau from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at:
1217 N Pearl Street,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
For divorce certificate requests submitted via the Bureau mail-in services, requesters must make fee payment through check or money order payable to the “Vital Statistics”. Cash payment is prohibited for mail-in requests. Meanwhile, international payments must be made by a U.S. bank cashier’s check or money order. Florida law imposes an additional $15 service charge on dishonored checks. Requesters can also pay an additional $10 fee for “RUSH Orders”. Rush orders are processed faster than regular orders because these types of orders are given priority processing. Requesters making a rush order request must mark the outside of the envelope “RUSH”. For mail-in requests, the completed DH290 form or written request and the required fee payment should be sent to the Bureau in a self-address envelope at:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics,
P.O. Box 210,
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Per state statutes, most fees paid to the Bureau are typically non-refundable. However, the Bureau may refund fees for additional copies of a request certificate upon written request. Provided the requested certificate was not found. Requests for certificates issued between 1970 to present are typically processed between 3 to 5 business days (excluding shipping time to and from the Bureau). Meanwhile, for records prior to 1970, additional processing time is required.
Interested persons can also order divorce certificates online through third-party vendors. These vendors generally require records seekers to provide information about the certificate they wish to order to facilitate certificate searches. This information may include and is not limited to the names of the spouses in the certificate, the divorce date, and the county/city where the divorce was finalized. Record seekers must also provide their contact information, such as their name, phone number, and address. Third-party vendors use this contact information to reach and deliver the requested certificate to the requester when found. Requesters should note that third-party vendors typically charge a fee for their services. These fees are usually payable online with credit cards.
For more information, interested persons can visit the Bureau’s divorce webpage. Alternatively, interested persons can contact the Bureau by phone at (904) 359-6900 or email at VitalStats@FLHealth.gov to make further inquiries.
What is a Dissolution of Marriage Certificate?
A divorce certificate may also be referred to as a "Dissolution of Marriage Certificate" in Florida. For instance, divorce certificates are specifically referred to as dissolution of marriage certificates on the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics website. On the website, the term "divorce certificate" is rarely used, and it is instead substituted with the term "dissolution of marriage certificate".
How Can I Get a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage in Florida?
Since, a “certificate of dissolution of marriage” and a “divorce certificate” are the same document, requesting a certificate of dissolution of marriage and a divorce certificate is done in the same manner. Interested persons can obtain a dissolution of marriage certificate issued between June 6, 1927, to the present by querying the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics. Alternatively, interested persons can also order a certificate of dissolution of marriage through third-party online vendors. The “how to get a divorce certificate in Florida” section details the processes and requirements for getting a dissolution of marriage certificate in the state.
What is the Difference Between a Florida Divorce Decree and a Divorce Certificate?
A Florida divorce decree is a final judgment issued by a court that officially terminates a marriage. In Florida, Circuit Court Clerks are responsible for maintaining divorce decrees issued in their respective counties. Most divorce decrees, also known as judgments of dissolution, outline the court's final order on different issues affecting a divorce. These issues may include and are not limited to property division, child support payment, visitation rights, and which spouse gets primary custody of the couple’s child(ren) (if any). A divorce decree is a legally binding court document whose terms are enforceable by law. Hence, one can face legal repercussions for failing or refusing to obey the terms of a divorce decree.
On the other hand, a divorce certificate is a derivative of a divorce degree. It is an official document that proves a divorce has been finalized and provides basic information about the divorce. This information includes where and when the divorce was finalized and the names of the now-divorced spouses. Unlike divorce decrees, divorce certificates are generated and maintained by the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics generates and maintains divorce certificates.
How Can I Get My Divorce Certificate Online?
Unfortunately, the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics does not maintain an online portal through which record seekers can order their divorce certificates online. Hence, the only way Interested persons can order their divorce documents online is through third-party vendors. Record seekers should note that third-party vendors generally do not provide online copies of requested certificates. Instead, record seekers can use a third-party vendor’s website to order a physical copy of their divorce certificate, which would be delivered to their address. An example of a third-party vendor that an interested person can use to place an online order for a divorce certificate is provided on the Bureau’s divorce webpage.
Where Can I Get a Copy of My Divorce Papers in Florida?
In Florida, divorce papers are maintained as court records. Hence, interested persons can get copies of their divorce papers by querying the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where their divorce was finalized. Record seekers can visit the clerk’s office during regular office hours to request copies of divorce papers. It is important to note that record seekers would need to provide details about the divorce case to assist the clerk in identifying the desired divorce papers. These details include and are not limited to the name of the spouses on the record and the case number.
Most County Circuit Court Clerks also maintain online search portals record seekers can use to search, inspect, and order court records they maintain. Some examples of these portals include Orange County Clerk family court records search portal and the Polk county court record search portal. Interested persons can use the “find a clerk” section on the Florida Court Clerk and Comptrollers website to find each county Circuit Court Clerk’s website in Florida.
