Broward County Divorce Records
Divorce (dissolution of marriage) cases in Broward County, Florida are filed and maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts, not the state vital-records office. This guide explains how these family-law records work, how to search them, and how to request certified copies.
Where Broward County Divorce Records Live
In Broward County, a divorce is legally called a dissolution of marriage, and these cases are filed and maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts as part of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. The Clerk of Courts handles the case file — the petition, motions, orders and the final judgment — while the Florida Department of Health issues certified birth and death certificates. It is important to understand that a divorce is a court matter, so the record you want is a court record held by the Clerk, not a vital record from the health department.
Because the divorce is a court case, you will generally search for it the same way you would look up other civil or family cases. The Clerk of Courts provides online access to search criminal, civil, family, and probate case records for the county.
A Marriage Search Will Not Show a Divorce
A common mistake is assuming that a marriage license search or a vital-records lookup will reveal whether a couple later divorced. It will not. Marriage licenses in Broward County are issued through the Clerk of the Circuit and County Court, and that record only documents that a marriage occurred — it does not update to reflect a later dissolution.
To confirm that a marriage ended, you must look at the family-law (dissolution) case file, which is a separate record type. If you only need proof that a marriage was legally ended, the final judgment of dissolution in the court case is the document that establishes it.
How to Search Family-Law Cases Online
The Broward County Clerk of Courts provides an online case search that includes family cases. When searching, it helps to have as much identifying information as possible:
- Full legal names of both spouses (including any former names)
- Approximate year the case was filed
- The case number, if you already have it
Family-law dockets typically show the case number, party names, filing date, hearing events, and a list of documents filed. Some documents may be viewable online, while others may need to be requested from the Clerk. If you cannot locate a case, confirm the correct spelling of names and the filing county, and contact the Clerk of Courts to confirm search options and any details this page does not cover.
What a Divorce Judgment Contains
The central document in a dissolution case is the final judgment of dissolution of marriage. Depending on the circumstances of the case, it may address:
- The legal date the marriage was dissolved
- Division of property and debts
- Alimony or spousal support terms
- Parenting plans, time-sharing, and child support (when children are involved)
- Restoration of a former name
The full case file may also contain the original petition, financial affidavits, settlement agreements and various motions and orders. Not every case includes every element — the contents depend on what the parties requested and what the court ordered.
Sealed and Restricted Information
Although Florida court records are generally public, certain information in family-law cases is confidential or restricted by law and court rule. Financial account numbers, some identifying data, and records involving minors are examples of material that may be redacted or withheld. In some situations a judge may seal all or part of a case file.
If part of a file is not viewable online or is marked confidential, that restriction is set by rule or by court order. Do not assume you can obtain sealed material simply by asking; the Clerk of Courts can explain what is available to the public and what requires additional authorization. For questions about a specific restriction, confirm the process directly with the Clerk of Courts.
Ordering Certified Copies
If you need an official copy of a divorce judgment — for example, to remarry, change a name on identification, or resolve an out-of-state matter — you will typically request a certified copy from the Broward County Clerk of Courts, since that office maintains the case. A certified copy carries the Clerk's seal and is the version accepted by most agencies.
To request a copy, be ready to provide the case number and the names of both parties. Copy fees, certification fees, accepted payment methods, and whether requests can be made online, by mail, or in person are set by the Clerk — confirm current fees and procedures with the Broward County Clerk of Courts before submitting a request, because this page does not list those amounts.
This information is provided for general reference only and is not legal advice. Rules about remarriage, name changes, and how a divorce affects other legal matters vary; consult a licensed Florida attorney for guidance about your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Broward County divorce records public?
Most Florida court records are public, so divorce case dockets are generally accessible through the Clerk of Courts. However, some information is confidential or redacted by law, and a judge may seal parts of a case. Confirm availability with the Clerk of Courts.
Can I find a divorce through a marriage license search?
No. A marriage license only documents that a marriage occurred. To confirm a divorce, you must look at the dissolution of marriage case in the Clerk of Courts' family-law records.
Does the Florida Department of Health hold my divorce record?
The Florida Department of Health issues certified birth and death certificates, but the divorce case itself is a court record maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts.
How do I get a certified copy of my divorce judgment?
Request it from the Broward County Clerk of Courts with the case number and both parties' names. Confirm fees and submission methods directly with the Clerk, as they are not listed here.
Official & Public Resources
Broward County Government
Official Broward County government website with links to county services and records.
