Broward County Florida Divorce Records

Broward County Florida divorce records are court files that show when a marriage ended in the county. These records come from the local Clerk of Court, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, and the Florida Department of Health.

People search these records for legal proof, name changes, family history, and personal needs. The county clerk holds the full case file. The state offices hold certificate abstracts that confirm the divorce. Knowing which office holds which record helps you get the right copy faster. This page explains how the system works, what each office does, and how to request the documents you need.

Who Keeps Broward County Divorce Records

Broward County divorce records are split between county offices and state offices. Each office plays a different role. The county clerk keeps the case file with all court papers. The state offices keep summary records that prove a divorce happened. When you know which office holds what, you avoid sending your request to the wrong place.

Broward County Clerk of Court

The Broward County Clerk of Court is the main keeper of divorce case files. The clerk office stores the petition, the answer, the financial papers, the final judgment, and all other court orders. Each divorce case in Broward County is assigned a case number through this office. The clerk office is the only place where the complete court file exists in one location.

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics

The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps statewide divorce certificates. These certificates are short abstracts that show the names of both spouses, the date of divorce, and the county where the divorce was granted. The Bureau does not store the full court file. It only stores the final confirmation that a divorce was recorded by the state.

Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health oversees the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Department sets the rules for how divorce certificates are issued, who can request them, and what fees apply. The Department also keeps older divorce certificates from past decades that may not exist at the county level.

Florida Circuit Court

Broward County is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. Family cases, including divorce, are heard in the Family Division of this circuit. The circuit court works with the clerk office to process cases. All court orders are signed by a circuit court judge and filed with the clerk.

Are Divorce Records Public in Florida

Yes, divorce records are public records in Florida. State law makes most court files open for viewing. Florida Chapter 119 gives the public the right to see and copy government records. Divorce records fall under this law. Some private details, like Social Security numbers and bank account numbers, are removed before public viewing. The rest of the file stays open to anyone who asks for it.

What Parts of the File Are Public

The public parts of a divorce file include the petition, the final judgment, the case number, the judge name, and the hearing dates. Names of both spouses and the marriage date also stay public. Anyone can search the clerk’s online system and see the basic case list.

What Parts Stay Sealed

Sensitive financial details, children’s names, and adoption papers can be sealed by court order. A judge must sign an order to seal part of a file. After sealing, only the people named in the case can see those sealed papers. The clerk office cannot share sealed records without a court order.

Who Can Request Certified Copies

Certified copies of a divorce decree can be requested by either spouse, an attorney for either spouse, or a court order holder. Some government agencies can also request certified copies for legal purposes. The clerk office checks the requester’s identity before issuing a certified copy.

How to Search Broward County Divorce Records

You can search Broward County divorce records online or in person. The online search is faster and works for most basic lookups. The in-person visit is better when you need help from clerk staff or want to view the full court file. Both methods need some basic facts about the case to work well.

What You Need Before You Search

Gather as many facts as you can before you start your search. More facts mean better results. Write down what you know before you open the search tool.

Full legal name of both spouses at the time of divorce
Approximate year the divorce was filed
Case number if you have it
City or ZIP code where the divorce was filed
Type of record you need (certificate or full decree)

Using the Broward Clerk Online Search

The Broward Clerk website has a case search tool that shows divorce cases filed in the county. You can search by name, case number, or date range. The tool lists open cases, closed cases, and final judgments. Each result shows the case number, the parties’ names, the filing date, and the judge assigned to the case.

Doing a Florida Divorce Records Search by Name

A name search works best when you have the full legal name and an approximate year. The clerk database matches names against all divorce cases filed since the early 1990s. Older cases may need an in-person search. Common last names return many results, so adding a year helps narrow the list.

Searching Other Florida Counties

Some people search the wrong county. Divorces filed in Miami-Dade County, Orange County, or Hillsborough County will not show in the Broward Clerk database. Florida divorce records by county are kept separately at each county clerk office. If you do not know the filing county, search statewide through the Bureau of Vital Statistics first.

How to Get a Florida Divorce Certificate

A Florida divorce certificate is a short document that proves a divorce happened. It shows the names of both spouses, the date the court granted the divorce, and the county where it was filed. Certificates are issued by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics and by county health departments in some cases. They are used for name changes, bank updates, and government forms.

Who Can Order a Certificate

Only certain people can order a certified divorce certificate in Florida. The list is set by state law. Anyone outside this list cannot order the certificate.

The person named on the certificate (either spouse)
A parent or legal guardian of either spouse
An attorney representing either spouse
A court of law or government agency with a legal need
A person with a notarized authorization from either spouse

How to Order Online

You can order a Florida divorce certificate online through the Bureau of Vital Statistics website. The online form asks for the same facts as a mail request. You pay by credit card. The certificate arrives by mail in about 5 to 10 business days. Rush service is available for an extra fee.

How to Order by Mail

Mail orders go to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. You send a signed application, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order. The Bureau mails the certificate back to you. Mail orders take about 2 to 4 weeks to arrive.

How to Order in Person

Some county health departments and the Bureau office in Jacksonville accept walk-in orders. You bring your ID, fill out the application, and pay the fee in person. Walk-in orders are processed the same day in most cases.

How to Get a Florida Divorce Decree Copy

A Florida divorce decree is the full court order that ends the marriage. The decree covers property, debts, custody, and support. It is signed by the judge and filed with the county clerk. A certified copy of divorce decree Florida has the court seal and the clerk’s stamp. A plain copy has no seal and cannot be used for legal filings.

Differences Between a Certificate and a Decree

The certificate and the decree are not the same. Each has a different use. The table below shows how they compare.

Feature	Divorce Certificate	Divorce Decree
Issued by	State Bureau of Vital Statistics	County Clerk of Court
Shows full case details	No	Yes
Has court seal	No	Yes, on certified copies
Used for name change	Yes	Yes
Used for property transfer	No	Yes
Cost (approximate)	$15 to $30	$1 per page plus $2 certification fee

Requesting a Certified Decree from Broward Clerk

You can order a certified copy of divorce decree Florida from the Broward County Clerk. You can order by mail, in person, or through the clerk website. Each certified copy costs about $2 plus the per-page fee. Mail orders take about 5 business days to process. In-person orders are often ready the same day.

What to Do If the File Is Old

Old divorce files may sit in storage rather than the main clerk office. Some files from the 1960s and 1970s were sent to the state archives. You may need to contact the Florida State Archives if the clerk cannot find the file. The archives store older court records and can make copies for a fee.

Florida Dissolution of Marriage Records

Florida uses the term dissolution of marriage for divorce. The Florida dissolution of marriage records work the same as divorce records in the court system. A dissolution case starts when one spouse files a petition. The case ends when the judge signs the final judgment of dissolution. All papers in the case become part of the court file.

Final Judgment of Divorce

The Florida final judgment of divorce is the document that legally ends it. The judge signs the judgment after both sides agree or after a court hearing. The judgment covers property, debts, custody, and support. The signed judgment is filed with the clerk office and becomes the official record.

Marriage Dissolution Certificate

A Florida marriage dissolution certificate is the same as a divorce certificate. The state uses both terms for the same document. The certificate proves the marriage ended. It does not show the court terms. People who need the court terms must request the full decree.

Where to Find Older Dissolution Records

Older dissolution records before 1970 may sit at the Florida State Archives. The archives store old court papers from all 67 counties. You can request copies through the archives website. Some older records are also indexed by name through genealogy databases.

Requesting Florida Divorce Records Step by Step

Florida divorce records request methods depend on what you need and how fast you need it. The three main ways to request are online, by mail, and in person. Each way has its own steps, fees, and timelines. Pick the method that fits your case.

Online Request Method

Online requests are the fastest for most people. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics and the Broward Clerk both have online forms. You fill out the form, pay the fee, and wait for the document to arrive by mail. Most online orders ship within 5 to 10 business days.

Mail Request Method

Mail requests work for people who do not need the document right away. You print the application, sign it, and mail it with your ID and payment. Mail orders take longer, often 2 to 4 weeks. The mail method costs less than rush online orders.

In-Person Request Method

In-person visits to the Broward Clerk office are best for hard cases. Clerk staff can search older files, pull large case files, and answer questions. In-person orders for certified copies are often ready the same day. The clerk office is open during regular business hours.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many requests get rejected for simple reasons. Avoiding these mistakes speeds up your order.

Missing signature on the application form
No copy of valid ID sent with the request
Wrong county listed on the application
Wrong fee amount or unpaid check
Requesting a certificate when you need a decree (or the reverse)

Florida Court Records Divorce Search Tools

Florida court records divorce search tools include county clerk sites, state websites, and third-party databases. Each tool has different coverage and accuracy. Knowing which tool to use saves time.

Broward County Clerk Search Portal

The Broward Clerk search portal shows divorce cases filed in the county. The portal is free to use and open to the public. You can search by name, case number, or date range. The portal shows case status, hearing dates, and the final judgment date.

Florida Clerks of Court Records

The Florida Clerks of Court divorce records system covers all counties. Some counties share their records through one statewide portal. Other counties use their own system. The statewide portal is good for finding which county holds a case.

Third-Party Search Sites

Third-party sites pull data from many county systems. They charge a fee for full reports. Use these sites only when the free government tools do not have the case. Many third-party sites also sell old data that is no longer accurate.

Broward County Divorce Records: Source Pages

The images below are from the official Broward County Clerk website. They show the main pages used to search and request Broward County divorce records. These source pages are the official route for court file searches and certified copy requests.

Broward County divorce records source details are posted on the Broward Clerk Homepage.