A florida divorce certificate serves as official proof that your dissolution of marriage was finalized by a Florida court. Unlike a divorce decree which contains detailed terms of your divorce settlement, a divorce certificate provides basic information confirming the divorce occurred. This guide explains how to obtain your florida divorce certificate from the florida bureau of vital statistics or circuit court records.
Florida Divorce Documents
Florida provides two main types of divorce-related documents, each serving different purposes and obtained from different sources.
Document Type | Source | Contains | Purpose |
Divorce Certificate | Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | Basic divorce facts | Proof divorce occurred |
Divorce Decree | Circuit Court | Complete settlement terms | Legal enforcement |
Florida Divorce Certificate
A florida divorce certificate is issued by the bureau of vital statistics and contains essential information including the names of both parties, date the divorce was finalized, location where it was granted, and the case number. This document serves as official proof that a dissolution of marriage occurred and is acceptable evidence for legal, employment, or personal purposes.
Divorce Decree vs. Certificate
The divorce decree represents the actual court order containing all terms and conditions of your divorce settlement. This detailed document includes property division, child custody arrangements, alimony provisions, and other specific orders from the judge. The circuit court that handled your case maintains these comprehensive records.
How to Obtain a Florida Divorce Certificate
The florida bureau of vital statistics maintains divorce certificates for dissolutions recorded from June 6, 1927 to present. After your divorce is finalized, the circuit court clerk forwards a report to the bureau of vital statistics for permanent filing. This process typically takes approximately 60 days.
Online Ordering Through VitalChek
The fastest method to obtain your florida divorce certificate is through VitalChek, the only authorized online vendor for the florida bureau of vital statistics. VitalChek provides secure processing and direct delivery to your address.
Online Ordering Costs:
- $15 florida bureau of vital statistics fee (includes $5 search fee + $10 rush processing)
- $7 VitalChek processing fee for identity verification and order handling
- Additional shipping charges based on delivery method selected
Mail-In Requests
You can request your florida divorce certificate by mail using the Application for Dissolution of Marriage form. Send completed applications with payment to:
Florida Bureau of Vital StatisticsP.O. Box 210Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Required Information:
- Full names of both parties exactly as shown on divorce records
- Date of divorce (month, day, year)
- County where divorce was granted
- Case number if available
- Your signature and relationship to parties on record
Payment Methods: Check or money order payable to "Vital Statistics." DO NOT send cash. International payments require cashier's check or money order in U.S. dollars from a U.S. bank.
Walk-In Service
Visit the florida bureau of vital statistics office for same-day service during business hours:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics1217 N Pearl StreetJacksonville, FL 32202Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
Walk-in requests accept cash, check or money order, and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard). Processing typically takes 3-5 business days, excluding shipping time for mailed requests.
Circuit Court Records and Divorce Decrees
If you need the complete divorce decree containing all settlement terms rather than just basic certification, contact the circuit court clerk in the county where your divorce was finalized.
Major County Clerk Offices
Miami-Dade County:
- Miami-Dade Clerk Family Court
- Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Avenue, 12th Floor, Miami, FL 33128
- Fees: $1 per page, $2 per document for certification
Palm Beach County:
- Palm Beach County Clerk
- Offers online search capabilities and certified copy ordering
- Records available from Records Service Center
Hillsborough County:
- Hillsborough County Clerk
- Maintains marriage and divorce records for the county
Search Requirements
When requesting records from circuit court clerks, provide as much information as possible including the case number, full names of both parties, approximate date of divorce, and county where the case was filed. If you don't know the exact year, courts typically charge a search fee of $2 per year searched.
Costs and Processing Times
Understanding the fee structure helps you budget for obtaining your florida divorce certificate and related documents.
Service | Cost | Processing Time |
First divorce certificate | $15 (includes search fee) | 3-5 business days |
Additional copies (same order) | $4 each | Same processing |
Rush service | Included in base fee | Expedited processing |
Search fee (unknown year) | $2 per calendar year | Additional time required |
Payment Options:
- Check or money order payable to "Vital Statistics"
- Major credit cards (walk-in or VitalChek online orders)
- Cash (walk-in service only)
- International payments: Cashier's check or money order in U.S. dollars from U.S. bank
Additional Considerations
Florida law imposes a $15 service charge for dishonored checks. Fees are generally non-refundable, except for additional copies when no record is found, which may be refunded upon written request. Records prior to 1970 may require additional processing time due to older filing systems.
Who Can Obtain Divorce Records
Florida divorce records have different access levels depending on the type of document and information contained.
General Public Access:
- Basic divorce certificate information
- Case number and filing dates
- Names of parties and court location
- Non-confidential portions of court files
Restricted Access (Authorized Persons Only):
- Complete divorce decrees with settlement terms
- Confidential financial information
- Sealed or redacted portions of records
Authorized Persons Include:
- Parties named in the divorce
- Legal representatives and attorneys who participated in proceedings
- Individuals with written authorization from parties
- Certain government agencies with legitimate need
Special Circumstances and Considerations
If your divorce was finalized less than 60 days ago and you need immediate evidence, contact the circuit court clerk directly rather than the bureau of vital statistics. The court maintains immediate access to all records, while the bureau of vital statistics requires time to receive and process reports from courts.
Historical Records
For divorces prior to June 6, 1927, records are only available from the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. The florida bureau of vital statistics does not maintain records before this date.
Out-of-State Divorces
The florida bureau of vital statistics only maintains records for divorces granted in Florida. For divorces that occurred in other states, visit the CDC National Center for Health Statistics website to find contact information for the appropriate state vital records office.
Sealed or Confidential Records
Some divorce records may be sealed by court order to protect sensitive information. When records are sealed, typically only specific portions containing confidential information are restricted rather than the entire file. Contact the circuit court that issued the sealing order for guidance on accessing these records.
Using Your Florida Divorce Certificate
A florida divorce certificate serves multiple purposes and may be required for various legal, financial, and personal matters.
Common Uses:
- Proof of marital status for remarriage licenses
- Social Security Administration name changes
- Immigration and naturalization proceedings
- Insurance beneficiary updates
- Estate planning and will preparation
- Employment verification requirements
- Financial account changes
The florida divorce certificate issued by the bureau of vital statistics is legally acceptable as evidence that a dissolution of marriage was finalized. However, for matters requiring specific terms of the divorce settlement, you'll need the complete divorce decree from the circuit court.
Replacing Lost or Damaged Certificates
If your original florida divorce certificate is lost, damaged, or destroyed, you can obtain replacement copies using the same procedures for initial requests. The bureau of vital statistics maintains permanent records, so replacement certificates contain the same information as originals.
Expedited Replacement:
- Use VitalChek online ordering for fastest service
- Indicate "RUSH" on mail envelopes for priority processing
- Visit the Jacksonville office for same-day service
- Provide as much identifying information as possible to avoid delays
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a Florida divorce certificate? Standard processing takes 3-5 business days through the bureau of vital statistics. Online orders through VitalChek typically process faster, while mail-in requests add shipping time.
What if I don't know my case number? You can still obtain your divorce certificate without the case number, but you'll need to pay an additional search fee of $2 per calendar year searched if the exact date is unknown.
Can I get a divorce certificate for someone else? Only authorized persons can obtain divorce certificates containing detailed information. General public access is limited to basic, non-confidential information.
What's the difference between a certified and uncertified copy? Certified copies include official seals and signatures, making them legally acceptable for official purposes. Uncertified copies are for informational use only.
Remember that processing takes approximately 60 days for recent divorces to appear in bureau of vital statistics records, so contact the circuit court directly for immediate needs. With proper information and payment, you can efficiently obtain the divorce documentation you need for legal, financial, or personal purposes.