Broward County Divorce Records

What Are Broward County Divorce Records?

Broward County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of a marriage dissolution in Broward County, Florida. These records are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts and contain information about divorce proceedings, including the names of the parties involved, the date of divorce, and other relevant details about the case.

Divorce records in Broward County are part of the public record system and serve as official documentation that a marriage has been legally terminated. These records are important for various purposes, including legal name changes, remarriage, and updating personal records.

Are Broward County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in Broward County are considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law. This means that most divorce case information is accessible to anyone who requests it. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains these records and makes them available for public inspection.

However, certain sensitive information within divorce records may be redacted or restricted from public view. This includes:

• Social Security numbers
• Financial account numbers
• Information about minor children
• Certain confidential information as determined by court order

The Clerk's office at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 provides access to these public records while maintaining privacy protections for sensitive information.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Broward County in 2025

To find a divorce record in Broward County in 2025, you have several options:

1. Visit the Broward County Courthouse in person at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Go to the Family Division of the Clerk's office to request divorce records.

2. Use the online case search system through the Broward County Clerk of Courts website.

3. Submit a written request for records to the Clerk's office.

4. Call the Records Department at the Clerk's office to inquire about specific divorce records.

When searching for divorce records, you'll need to provide:

• Full names of both parties involved in the divorce
• Approximate date of the divorce filing or finalization
• Case number (if known)

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Broward County Online?

Looking up divorce records online in Broward County is a straightforward process:

1. Visit the Broward County Clerk of Courts website at www.browardclerk.org.

2. Navigate to the "Case Search" section or directly access it at https://www.browardclerk.org/Web2/.

3. You can search by:

   • Party name (last name, first name)
   • Case number
   • Date range

4. For divorce cases, select "Family" as the case type when prompted.

5. Review the search results, which will show basic case information including filing dates, case status, and party names.

6. For detailed documents, you may need to create an account or pay a fee for certain document downloads.

The online system provides 24/7 access to public divorce records, though some documents may only be available for viewing in person.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Broward County?

There are several ways to access divorce records in Broward County for free:

1. Use the public access computers at the Broward County Courthouse (201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301). These terminals allow free searches of court records, including divorce cases.

2. Visit the Broward County Main Library at 100 S Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The library often provides free access to public records databases.

3. Use the basic online case search feature on the Broward County Clerk's website, which provides free access to basic case information.

4. Contact the Florida Department of Health's Office of Vital Statistics at 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1700 for verification of divorce (though there may be fees for certified copies).

While searching for records is generally free, obtaining copies or certified documents typically involves fees.

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Broward County

Broward County divorce records typically include:

1. Petition for Dissolution of Marriage - The initial filing that starts the divorce process
2. Financial affidavits from both parties
3. Marital settlement agreements
4. Child custody and support arrangements (if applicable)
5. Property division details
6. Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage - The official court order finalizing the divorce
7. Name change information (if applicable)
8. Court hearing transcripts and records
9. Any post-judgment modifications

The level of detail in publicly accessible records may vary, as certain sensitive information is often redacted to protect privacy.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Broward County?

To obtain proof of divorce in Broward County:

1. Request a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage from the Broward County Clerk of Courts at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. This is the most common form of divorce proof.

2. For an official Certificate of Divorce (divorce verification), contact the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics at 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1700.

3. Submit your request in person, by mail, or online through the Clerk's Records Request system.

4. Provide identification and pay the required fee (typically $1 per page plus $2 for certification).

5. For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment.

Certified copies are official proof of divorce and can be used for legal name changes, remarriage, and other official purposes.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Broward County?

While most divorce records in Broward County are public, there are ways to maintain some confidentiality:

1. Sealing Records: In exceptional circumstances, you can petition the court to seal all or portions of your divorce records. This requires demonstrating compelling reasons why public access would cause harm.

2. Confidential Information: Certain information is automatically protected, including:

   • Social Security numbers
   • Bank account numbers
   • Children's information
   • Victim information in cases involving domestic violence

3. Mediation: Resolving your divorce through mediation can keep many details private, as only the final agreement becomes part of the public record.

4. Simplified Dissolution: For uncontested divorces without children or significant assets, a simplified dissolution process contains fewer public documents.

To request confidentiality, consult with an attorney and file appropriate motions with the court at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Broward County?

The duration of a divorce in Broward County varies based on several factors:

1. Uncontested Divorces: When both parties agree on all issues, a divorce can be finalized in as little as 30 days after filing, though 60-90 days is more typical due to court scheduling.

2. Contested Divorces: When spouses disagree on issues like property division, alimony, or child custody, divorces can take 6 months to over a year to complete.

3. Simplified Dissolution: For couples without children or significant assets who agree on all terms, this expedited process typically takes 30 days.

4. Mandatory Waiting Period: Florida has a 20-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized.

Factors that can extend the timeline include:

• Court backlog and scheduling
• Discovery process complexity
• Need for expert witnesses or evaluations
• Post-filing negotiations
• Trial preparation and proceedings

How Long Does Broward County Keep Divorce Records?

Broward County maintains divorce records permanently. As official court records, divorce documents are preserved indefinitely in the county's record system. Over time, older records may be:

1. Digitized and stored electronically
2. Transferred to microfilm or other archival formats
3. Moved to off-site storage facilities

While the format and storage location may change, the records themselves are permanently maintained and remain accessible to the public. The Broward County Clerk of Courts at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 is responsible for the preservation and accessibility of these records.

For very old records (pre-digital era), you may need to submit a special request to the archives department, which might take additional time to retrieve.

How To Get a Divorce In Broward County

To obtain a divorce in Broward County, follow these steps:

1. Ensure Eligibility: Either you or your spouse must have been a Florida resident for at least 6 months before filing.

2. Prepare and File Petition: Complete a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and file it with the Broward County Clerk of Courts at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Pay the filing fee (approximately $400).

3. Serve Your Spouse: Have your spouse formally served with the divorce papers, unless they agree to sign a waiver of service.

4. Financial Disclosure: Both parties must complete and exchange financial affidavits within 45 days of service.

5. Parenting Course: If you have minor children, both parents must complete a court-approved parenting course.

6. Negotiation/Mediation: Work toward an agreement on all issues, including property division, alimony, and child custody.

7. Final Hearing: Attend a final hearing where a judge will review and potentially approve your settlement agreement or, in contested cases, make rulings on disputed issues.

8. Final Judgment: Receive the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, which officially ends your marriage.

For simplified dissolutions (available to couples without children or significant assets who agree on all terms), the process is streamlined and requires fewer steps.

How To Get Divorce Papers In Broward County

There are several ways to obtain divorce papers in Broward County:

1. In Person: Visit the Family Division of the Broward County Clerk of Courts at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Staff can provide the necessary forms based on your specific situation.

2. Online: Download divorce forms from the Broward County Clerk's website or from the Florida Courts website (www.flcourts.org).

3. Self-Help Center: Visit the Self-Help Center at the courthouse (201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301) where staff can assist you with identifying and completing the correct forms. Services are available for a nominal fee.

4. Legal Aid Services: Contact Legal Aid Service of Broward County at 491 N State Road 7, Plantation, FL 33317 for assistance if you qualify based on income.

5. Private Attorneys: Hire an attorney who will prepare and file all necessary paperwork on your behalf.

Common forms include:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
• Financial Affidavit
• Marital Settlement Agreement
• Parenting Plan (if children are involved)
• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet

Lookup Divorce Records in Broward County

For comprehensive access to divorce records in Broward County, you can utilize these resources:

• Family Court Services - Access information about family-related court services, including divorce proceedings and records.

• Public Case Search - Search for divorce cases and other court records filed in Broward County.

• Records Request Information - Learn how to request official copies of divorce records and other court documents.

• Dissolution of Marriage Resources - Find forms, guidelines, and information about the divorce process in Florida.

These resources provide various ways to access divorce records, from online searches to official document requests, helping you find the specific information you need about divorce cases in Broward County.