Orange County, Florida Divorce Records
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Orange County{" "}divorce records reveal information on divorce filings, case proceedings, and judgments. Such records play a vital role in various legal and financial matters. For instance, persons may look up and obtain divorce records for remarriage or refinancing of mortgages.
Divorce records in Orange County are mostly accessible to the public. Public members seeking instructions on how to find divorce records in Duval County may contact the designated record custodians. The record custodians may provide online or offline resources via which you can obtain divorce records.
Orange County, Florida Divorce Rate: In 2022,{" "}Florida{" "}had a divorce rate of 7.1 per 1,000 female residents above 15 years old. In addition, 21.5% of Orange County's adult residents were divorced in 2023.
Are Divorce Records Public in Orange County?
Yes, most divorce records in Orange County are accessible to the public. The{" "}Florida Sunshine Laws{" "}allow the public to inspect and obtain copies of divorce records from designated government entities. These entities serve as record custodians and may release the records upon requests from the public.
Nevertheless, record custodians may redact or withhold specific divorce information. For example, divorce information like financial statements and custody arrangements is often redacted from public divorce records. The court also restricts records upon requests from a case party.
How to Find Divorce Records in Orange County
You may look up divorce records in Orange County via resources provided by local- and state-level entities. At the local level, the{" "}Orange County Clerk of Courts{" "}offers{" "}online docket information{" "}concerning divorce cases, while the county{" "}comptroller's office{" "}offers{" "}online access{" "}to divorce judgments and decrees. The{" "}Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics{" "}is a state-level agency that provides access to divorce certificates issued in Orange County.
How to obtain divorce docket information in Orange County, Florida
You may follow these steps to obtain online divorce records:
- Visit the clerk of court's{" "}online search platform.
- Select "Family Case Records".
- On the subsequent page, choose "dissolution of marriage" in the drop-down menu.
- Fill out the case party's name and the date range of the divorce event. An alternative option is to input the case and citation number.
- Select "Search" to bring up relevant information.
How to obtain divorce decrees and judgments in Orange County
- Visit the Orange County Comptroller's{" "}online searchable database.
- Select "Basic Official Search".
- Next, input relevant information like the case party name, document number, and recording date range.
- Click on the "Search" button to generate search results.
How to obtain Orange County divorce certificates from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics allows mail-in or in-person inquiries for divorce certificates. To obtain divorce certificates, inquirers must make a request via mail or in person to this address:
Physical address
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Mail Address
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, Fl 32231-0042.
The request must include the following:
- A completed{" "}application form.
- The required copy and search fee. The agency charges a $5 search fee along with copy fees.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 1. Orange County Court of Clerk's{" "}online portal. 2. Orange County Comptroller's{" "}online search portal | Full name, date range. | Free. Certified copies cost $1 per page and $2 per certification. | Instant. |
| In Person | Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | Valid ID, completed application form. | Varies based on the number of requested copies and document type. | Same day |
| Mail-in | Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | Valid ID, completed application form. | Varies based on the number of requested copies and document type. | 3 to 5 business days. |
Overview of the Orange County Court System
Orange County family court divorce filings and case proceedings fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court.
A divorce case starts when a petitioner files a petition with the clerk of the court:
Orange County Courthouse
425 North Orange Avenue
Orlando, Florida 32801
Phone: (407) 836-2050.
Jon B. Morgan Osceola County Courthouse
2 Courthouse Square
Kissimmee, Florida 34741.
Phone: (407) 742-2400.
The Clerk of Courts and the Comptroller's Office are the designated custodians of divorce documents. These entities provide options and resources via which the public can access the records.
Online Access to Orange County Divorce Records
Interested persons or entities may find Orange County divorce records online via the following official platforms:
- The Clerk of Court's family{" "}case record search platform.
- Orange County Comptroller's{" "}official record database.
You must provide relevant search data to find divorce records on the platform. Relevant search data may include the case party's name, citation number, case number, and recording date range.
Alternatively, you may look up free online divorce records in Orange County via third-party search websites. The websites often have user-friendly interfaces that conveniently locate court documents. Some websites may offer free downloads of court records. Nevertheless, third-party search websites operate outside government jurisdiction and, as such, may not contain accurate information.
What's Typically Included in an Orange County Divorce Record
Orange County divorce records typically reveal this information:
- Case parties' names.
- Attorney names.
- Case information, including case number, dockets, filing date, judge's name, and status.
- Marriage date and place of marriage
- Number of children in the union.
Keep in mind that record custodians may seal or redact certain divorce information from public view. For example, abuse claims are not accessible to the general public.
| Orange County Divorce Record Information | Available to the Public |
|---|---|
| Case parties' names | Yes |
| Divorce attorney names. | Yes |
| Case information, such as docket, case number, and filing date. | Yes |
| Divorce petitioner's name. | Yes |
| Names of minors affected by the divorce. | No |
| Custody agreement. | No |
| Information on abuse. | No |
How to Get Certified Copies of Orange County Divorce Records
In Orange County, Florida, you can obtain certified copies of divorce records via the Comptroller's{" "}online search platform. Note that certified divorce documents are necessary for legal functions like remarriage and mortgage refinancing. Unlike informational copies, certified divorce records contain the court official's seal and signature.
Record seekers may follow these steps to order certified divorce decrees in Orange County, Florida:
- Visit the Orange County Comptroller's{" "}online searchable database.
- Select "Basic Official Search".
- Next, input relevant information like the case party name, document number, and recording date range.
- Click on the "Search" button to generate search results.
- Click on the preferred case result.
- Next, select the cart icon on the right side of the page.
- Input your credit card details to purchase the document. Note that it costs $1 per page and $2 per certification of the document.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who Can Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Remarriage, legal proceedings, and mortgage refinancing. | Anyone. | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Genealogy, general information. | Anyone | No |
Why People Request Orange County Divorce Records
There are different reasons for requesting divorce records in Orange County. Some of these reasons include the following:
- To apply for a marriage license.
- For name changes after a divorce.
- For genealogy or personal research.
- For mortgage refinancing.
Note: Employers may conduct searches for divorce records to verify divorce history.
Orange County Divorce Records Summary
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County Clerk of Courts | Divorce documents and partial court information. | Online portal. | Free. |
| Orange County Comptroller's Office | Divorce decrees and judgments. | Online portal. | Free viewing; $1 per page and $2 per certification. |
| Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | Informational or certified vital records | In person / Mail | $5 for the search fee and one certified copy; $4 per additional certified copy. |
| Third-Party Websites | Aggregated records | Online search (paid) | Convenience at cost; accuracy may vary |