In Florida, the Clerk of Court records certification of a Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce or Annulment) Report since June 1927. This certification is accepted by all State and Federal Agencies and used as evidence that a divorce was finalized and recorded.
The Clerk of Court in the County granting divorce sends a report of dissolution of marriage to the Vital Statistics Bureau. Generally, the Clerk of Courts sends divorce reports within 60 days of recording divorces. Therefore, requests for divorce records made within 60 days of entering the divorce decree must be made to the County granting the dissolution of marriage.
The Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains records of divorces that occurred in Florida since June 6, 1927. Records of divorce that occurred prior to June 6, 1927 may be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the County where the divorce was granted.
Any person may make a request for divorce records upon payment of a search fee. The fee for a divorce report is $5 for one certification. An additional fee of $4 is to be paid for each additional certification of the same record when ordered at the same time. If the requested record cannot be found, a certified “No Record Found” statement will be issued to the applicant. The search fee is non refundable. However, the fee paid for additional copies will be refunded if the applicant sends a letter of request.
If the Dissolution of Marriage is on file, the normal processing time of requests will be 5-7 days. However, the response time may vary depending upon the availability of the records and the year in which the divorce was granted. Occasionally, the processing time may reach up to 6 weeks.
Application form for requesting divorce records are available online. Details to be submitted while making the request are:
- full name of the husband
- full name of the wife, including wife’s maiden name
- date of divorce
- City /County granting divorce
- Check or money order payable to “Bureau of Vital Statistics
- Printed name (full name), residence address, and day time telephone number of the applicant
- Signature of the Applicant
To order a divorce record by mail, the applicant must send a signed letter or application with the required information to the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Divorce records are indexed under the husband’s name only. Therefore, do not forget to include the husband’s name in the application. If the applicant is not sure of the date of divorce, a range of years to be searched must be included. An additional fee of $2 is charged for each additional year searched when included with the original request. However, the search fee cannot go beyond $ 50. The additional fee must be included in the check/ money order that the applicant makes.
Divorce records may be obtained expeditiously by using the “Rush” service. An additional fee is to be paid in order to avail the service. Rush service is processed within three working days of receipt of the request and the records are mailed by first class mail.
If the Rush service is requested by mail or via fax, an additional “rush” fee of $10.00 must be included. Additionally, the outside of the envelope/fax must be marked as “RUSH.”
Vital Statistics of Florida does not accept credit cards. However, Rush Service can be requested using credit cards through a private service company that accepts such charges and transfers the order to Vital Statistics for a fee of $5.00 plus a $10.00 Rush Fee charged by the State Office.
Rush Service may be made in person by visiting the Vital Statistics office in Pearl Street. Such requests must be accompanied by a picture identification of the applicant along with a rush fee of $10.00.
The applicant may also request overnight delivery of divorce records by providing a pre paid Express Delivery envelope with the $10.00 Rush fee to Vital Statistics. Computer Certification will be issued within two business days of making the request. If photocopy is requested, it will be processed before normal processing time of 10 business days.
