Divorce records in Broward County, Florida, are accessible through several channels. BrowardCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information. You can also obtain records directly from the Broward County Clerk of the Circuit Court, which maintains court case files for divorces finalized in the county. The Florida Department of Health issues divorce certificates as the state vital records office. Between these resources, most requests for Broward County divorce documentation can be fulfilled.
Broward Divorce Records Search
In Broward County, divorce records are maintained by two separate offices. The Broward County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Family Division, keeps the complete court case file — including the petition for dissolution of marriage, the final judgment of dissolution, marital settlement agreements, parenting plans, child support orders, and any post-judgment modifications. The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, maintains a statewide index of divorce certificates dating back to June 6, 1927.
The divorce records collection at the Clerk's office includes:
- Final Judgments of Dissolution of Marriage (divorce decrees)
- Marital settlement agreements
- Child custody and parenting plan orders
- Child support and alimony orders
- Motions, responses, and other case filings
You can search for divorce case records online through the Clerk's public case search portal. For in-person requests, visit the main courthouse location:
Broward County Clerk of Courts — Main Courthouse
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Broward
Florida handles divorce cases — formally called dissolution of marriage — in the Circuit Court. Broward County is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit. All divorce petitions are filed with and processed through the Circuit Court's Family Division. Once a judge signs the final judgment, that document becomes part of the permanent court file maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
The state vital records office — the Florida Department of Health — also records divorce events. However, what the state issues is a divorce certificate, which is a summary document confirming the divorce occurred. It does not contain the detailed terms found in the court's final judgment.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
- Full court file (decree, settlement terms, custody orders): Contact the Broward County Clerk of Courts, Family Division.
- Divorce certificate (verification that a divorce occurred): Contact the Florida Department of Health.
Broward County Clerk of Courts — Family Division
Florida Department of Health — Bureau of Vital Statistics
You can also submit a records request to the Clerk's office for court documents, or order a divorce certificate online through the Florida Department of Health website.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Broward
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts — online case search | Free (view docket information only) | Immediate |
| Clerk of Courts — plain copy of court document | $1.00 per page | Same day to several business days |
| Clerk of Courts — certified copy of court document | $2.00 per page (plus $2.00 certification fee per document) | Same day to several business days |
| Electronic certified document (Clerk of Courts) | Varies; see Clerk's online portal | Typically 1–3 business days |
| Florida Department of Health — divorce certificate | $5.00 per certificate | 2–4 weeks by mail; expedited options available |
| Florida Department of Health — additional search of statewide index (per year searched) | $1.00 per year | Included in standard processing |