Miami-Dade County, Florida Divorce Records

Divorce records refer to all the documentation derived from the legal dissolution of a marriage. These documents are generated in instances where spouses agree to part ways amicably, as well as situations where a civil legal proceeding is required because the spouses disagree over one or more issues. Court records usually include case filings, final judgments, parties’ names, marriage and divorce dates, and details about property division, alimony, child custody, and support.

Miami-Dade County divorce records are often needed for various reasons. Divorced individuals usually require them as proof when remarrying or updating the name on a property deed or car title. Similarly, agencies and institutions such as banks, immigration services, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and the Social Security Administration rely on these divorce records to update the documents of recently divorced people.

Florida Divorce Rate: In 2023, Florida’s divorce rate was 3.0 per 1,000 residents, a slight decrease from the 3.1 per 1,000 recorded in 2022.

Are Divorce Records Public in Miami-Dade County?

Miami-Dade County court records are generally considered public records under the Florida Public Records Act. Anyone may access court filings, including the names of the involved parties, filing dates, case numbers, property division details (with some redaction), summaries of spousal and child support orders (with sensitive information protected), and public custody orders and parenting plans (abuse allegations, mental health, and healthcare records are usually restricted).

Conversely, the Act restricts public access to sensitive information in divorce records to protect privacy. These typically include:

• Bank account information
• Social Security numbers
• Confidential child-related details (e.g., adoption records or certain child protection cases)
• Medical records

Moreover, parties involved in a divorce may ask the court to seal additional information, such as details about abuse, proprietary business information, and other sensitive data. Usually, the court considers whether privacy concerns outweigh the public’s right to access before approving such requests.

How to Find Divorce Records in Miami-Dade County

In Miami-Dade County, the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller keeps divorce records. Requesters may look up divorce records in Miami-Dade County online, by mail, or in person. The following sections explain these options:

Online Case Search

• Visit the Miami-Dade Clerk’s website and access the Online Case Search.
• Click on "Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System" and then "Family Court Information" to search divorce cases by case number or party name.
• Searchers may need to set up a free registered account to view document images.
• Enter the necessary information, such as names and file years, to view the case summary and documents.
• Open the case docket and select the required document (e.g., Final Judgment of Dissolution).
• From the document view page, click on "Order Certified Copies" under Image Options, and pay online.
• Accepted online payment options include Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express.

Making copies of divorce records costs $1.00 per page and $2.00 per document for certification. Staff searches to find an unknown year or case number for $2.00 per year or per name.

Request in Person

Requesters may conduct a Miami-Dade County court divorce searchby visiting the Family Court at the following address:

Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center

Family Court

175 NW 1st Avenue, 14th Floor

Miami, FL 33128

At the courthouse, requesters with a case number or party name and a valid government-issued ID may request a certified copy of a divorce record (e.g., Final Judgment). Those without a case number or year are required to pay a staff search fee of $2.00 per year or per name. The Clerk’s Office charges $1.00 per page (copying fee) and $2.00 per document for certification. Accepted payment methods include cash, major credit cards, cashier’s checks, or money orders; personal checks are not accepted.

Mail Requests

Individuals requesting divorce records through the mail-in service are expected to send their requests to:

Family Court/Correspondence

Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center

175 NW 1st Avenue, 12th Floor

Miami, FL 33128

Such requests are expected to include a case number (or book and page, if referencing a recorded judgment), the year of the case, the names of the parties, a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), and payment ($1.00 per page, $2.00 per document for certification).

The Clerk’s Office accepts cashier’s checks or money orders for mail-in requests; personal checks are not accepted.

Method	Where to Go	Info Needed	Cost	Processing Time
Online Search	Miami-Dade Clerk’s Civil/Family/Probate portal	Name, case number, or filing year	Free to search; fees for documents ($1/page, $2 per document certification).	Instant search results
In-Person Request	Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center or Clerk District Office	Names, case year, or case number	Copy/certification fees apply ($1/page, $2 per document certification)	Same day (walk-in service)
Mail Request	Clerk of Courts, Family Records Division (mailing address provided)	Case details (case number and year)	Fees via money order/check	Several days to weeks

Overview of the Miami-Dade County Court System

In Miami-Dade County, the Circuit Court Family Division handles all cases associated with divorces, such as dissolutions of marriages, child support and custody, name changes, and other family law-related matters. Besides preliminary divorce filings and final judgment, the Division also oversees enforcement (civil contempt, income deduction, driver’s license suspension), modifications (changing parts of an original order), and contempt proceedings.

In Miami-Dade, the Family Division of the Circuit Court (part of the 11th Judicial Circuit Court ) is located at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128. Although Miami-Dade County has several branch court locations, divorce cases are usually heard at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center.

The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller is responsible for holding Miami-Dade County family court divorce filings and related records. The Clerk’s Office offers public access to certain certified copies of divorce records online and at the Family Division counters.

Online Access to Miami-Dade County Divorce Records

In Miami-Dade, the Clerk of Courts provides the public with an official search tool to access divorce and other civil, family, or probate court cases. This county-specific portal is called the Civil, Family & Probate Courts Online System and is available through the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts website with a few general steps:

• Visit the "Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System" on the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts website.
• Users may choose between Standard Search (quick, no login) or Advanced Search (more extensive filters, requires registration).
• Enter search criteria: name of party, local or state case number, case type (e.g., divorce), or filing date.
• Review results and click into case details. This usually includes docket entries, case filings, motions, judgments, and other court documents.
• Please note that payment or approval may be necessary to download some documents based on record type and privacy restrictions.

Information Required to Search

• Although partial name searches are possible, using the parties’ complete names helps narrow and refine search results.
• Date of divorce (if available) or estimated filing date.
• Local case number or State case number (if known).
• The user may also filter by case type, such as "family" or "divorce".
• Using the Advanced Search offers more flexibility. However, registering an account with the Miami-Dade Clerk is required to access additional features.

Available Records

The types of records usually accessible to visitors on the search portal include:

• Case summaries (docket entries): listing filings, hearings, decisions, and more.
• Filed documents: petitions, responses, agreements, orders, judgments.
• Final judgments: divorce decrees, property arrangements, and similar outcomes.
• Related motions and additional filings resulting from case activity.

Note: Privacy laws may restrict access to certain sensitive documents. However, basic docket and judgment information are generally public records.

What’s Typically Included in a Miami-Dade County Divorce Record

Knowing what information is available to them helps requesters set realistic expectations. Many details in a divorce record are accessible to the public, but the court often seals some sensitive information. This is especially common in cases involving children, domestic violence, or abuse claims.

Typically, a Miami-Dade County divorce record includes the parties’ names, filing and case numbers, dates of court actions, and orders related to property division, custody, or support. However, financial account details, medical records, and other sensitive personal information are often redacted or kept confidential.

Information Type	Available to the Public?	Notes
Names of the parties	Yes	Full names of both spouses are listed.
Filing date and case number	Yes	Helps locate and track the case in court records.
Final judgment (divorce decree)	Yes	Shows the outcome of the divorce and any legal dissolution orders.
Property division summary	Yes (general terms)	Specific financial account details may be sealed.
Spousal support orders	Yes	Amount and duration of alimony are typically public.
Child custody arrangements	Yes (basic orders)	Detailed reports may be restricted for privacy.
Child & spousal support orders	Yes	Payment obligations are usually part of the public record.
Abuse or domestic violence details	No	Often sealed to protect the privacy and safety of parties involved.
Financial account numbers, medical/psychological records	No	Considered sensitive and are redacted or sealed.

How to Get Certified Copies of Miami-Dade County Divorce Records

Step 1: Selecting the Preferred Method

Inquirers may request certified copies through the following channels:

• Online through the Clerk’s Civil, Family, and Probate Courts Online System
• By Mail, addressed to the Family Court.
• In Person at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse (or district offices)

Step 2: Getting the Requirements

• Full names of the spouses (parties) involved in the divorce
• Case number, if known (considerably expedites the search process)
• Approximate date or year of divorce (needed when case number is unknown)
• A valid photo ID (mandated for in-person requests)
• Payment: certified copies cost $1.00 per page, and a $2.00 search fee per year if the exact year is unknown.

Step 3: Submitting the Request

Online

To get an official divorce record copy, requesters typically follow the steps below:

• Navigate to the Clerk’s Civil, Family & Probate Online System
• On the left-hand panel, search for the case by name or case number.
• Once found, click "order certified copy" and pay using the major credit cards (Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express).
• If the requester is unable to view case documents, they might need to sign up for a free account to access family court records.

By Mail

To get an official divorce record copy by mail, applicants are expected to send their request to:

Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center

Family Court - Correspondence

175 NW 1st Avenue, 12th Floor

Miami, FL 33128

The request packet is expected to include:

• Names of both parties, case number, or year of divorce
• Self-addressed stamped envelope
• Payment via cashier’s check or money order (no personal checks accepted)
• Making copies of requested documents costs $1.00 per page plus a search fee ($2.00 per year) if applicable.

Person

• For in-person requests, inquirers may visit the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse, Family Court, 14th Floor at 175 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128, or a district court location. They are expected to bring along their valid, government-issued photo ID, case details, and necessary payment (cash, credit, or money order)

Step 4: Processing Time

• Online: Usually same day, depending on system availability
• In person: Available same day if case information is straightforward
• By mail: Usually, a few business days in addition to postage

Informational Copy vs. Certified Copy in Divorce Records

Information Copy

• Plain copy of the record
• Bears no seal or certification
• Utilized for personal or research purposes only
• Not usable for legal or official matters
• May be requested by anyone

Certified Copy

• Contains an official Clerk’s seal and certification
• Required for legal processes (e.g., remarriage, court filings, government applications)
• Attracts a higher fee than an information copy
• Officially accepted as proof of divorce, or when remarrying
• Usually requested by authorized individuals (spouse, attorney, court)

Why People Request Miami-Dade County Divorce Records

Some reasons to request divorce records in Miami-Dade County are as follows:

• When updating their bank accounts, passport, or driver’s license, a requester may apply for a copy of their divorce record as documentation of their name change (e.g., from single to married status).
• An individual may need a certified copy of a finalized divorce as evidence of their single status when remarrying.
• Divorce records may be required for making claims such as pensions, Social Security benefits, or insurance policies.
• Divorce records help track name changes and the development of new relationships when conducting genealogy and family research.

Miami-Dade County Divorce Records Summary

Custodian	Available Record Type	Access Method	Fees & Notes
Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court & Comptroller (Family Division)	Court record of the divorce case (docket, pleadings, orders, final judgment). Certified copies available	Online via Civil/Family/Probate Case Search †’ "Order certified copy"; By Mail; In Person.	Copy fee: $1/page; Certification: $2 per document; Search fee: $2 per year/per name if year/case no is unknown.
Florida Dept. of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics	Dissolution of Marriage Certificate (a summary confirming a divorce was granted, not the full judgment/case file).	Online via the county/state-approved vendor, by Mail, or by Walk-in at the Jacksonville office.           Fees (online via approved vendor): $15 for first certificate (includes $5 search + $10 rush) + $7 approved vendor processing; $4 each additional certificate	Fees (online via approved vendor): $15 for first certificate (includes $5 search + $10 rush) + $7 approved vendor processing; $4 each additional certificate; $2 per extra search year (max $50).
Third-party people-search sites	Aggregated index info; may provide docket summaries. Not official.	Online search (paid)	Accuracy and completeness vary; not recommended by FL DOH (only the state-approved is contracted for divorce certificates). Use the Clerk or DOH sources above for official copies. ( floridahealth.gov )