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Miami-Dade County Divorce Records

What Are Miami-Dade County Divorce Records?

Miami-Dade County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of the dissolution of a marriage within Miami-Dade County, Florida. These records are maintained by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts and include all documentation related to divorce proceedings, from the initial filing to the final judgment.

Divorce records in Miami-Dade County are part of the official public records and typically contain information about the parties involved, the grounds for divorce, property settlements, child custody arrangements, and other relevant court decisions.

The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts maintains these records at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130.

Are Miami-Dade County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in Miami-Dade County are generally considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law. This means that most divorce documents filed with the court are accessible to anyone who requests them.

However, certain sensitive information may be redacted or restricted from public view, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Financial account numbers
  • Names of minor children
  • Victim information in domestic violence cases

The Miami-Dade County Clerk's Office provides access to these public records while maintaining privacy protections required by law. Records can be accessed through the Clerk's Office at 175 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Miami-Dade County in 2025

To find a divorce record in Miami-Dade County in 2025, you can follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts website or office (73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130).
  2. Use the online search system for court records or visit in person.
  3. Provide the necessary information for your search, such as:
    • Full names of both parties
    • Approximate date of divorce
    • Case number (if known)
  4. Pay any applicable search or copy fees.
  5. Review the records found and request certified copies if needed.

For more detailed searches, you may need to visit the Family Division of the Clerk's Office at 175 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 1343, Miami, FL 33128.

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Miami-Dade County Online?

Looking up divorce records online in Miami-Dade County is straightforward:

  1. Visit the Miami-Dade County Clerk's Official Records Search website at https://onlineservices.miamidadeclerk.gov/officialrecords/StandardSearch.aspx
  2. Select "Standard Search" or "Official Records Search"
  3. Enter search criteria such as:
    • Names of the parties involved
    • Date range
    • Document type (select "Divorce" or "Dissolution of Marriage")
  4. Review the search results and select the record you wish to view
  5. Pay any applicable fees for viewing or downloading documents

The online system provides access to records dating back several decades, though more recent records are typically easier to find with complete information.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Miami-Dade County?

There are several ways to find divorce records for free in Miami-Dade County:

  1. Use the public access terminals at the Miami-Dade County Courthouse (73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130). These terminals allow free searches of court records.

  2. Visit the Family Court Division of the Clerk's Office (175 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 1343, Miami, FL 33128) and request assistance with a records search.

  3. Use the Miami-Dade County Public Library System, which may provide free access to certain online databases.

  4. Check the online docket search at the Clerk's website, which allows basic case information searches at no cost.

While searching records may be free, obtaining copies typically involves fees. Standard copies cost $1 per page, and certified copies are $2 per page plus a $2 certification fee.

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Miami-Dade County

A typical divorce record in Miami-Dade County includes:

  1. Petition for Dissolution of Marriage - The initial filing that starts the divorce process
  2. Financial affidavits from both parties
  3. Parenting plans (if children are involved)
  4. Property settlement agreements
  5. Responses and counterpetitions
  6. Court orders and judgments
  7. Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage - The official document ending the marriage

The Final Judgment typically contains the most critical information, including:

  • Names of both parties
  • Date of marriage and divorce
  • Division of assets and debts
  • Child custody and support arrangements
  • Alimony determinations
  • Name change authorizations (if applicable)

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Miami-Dade County?

To obtain proof of divorce in Miami-Dade County:

  1. Request a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage from the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts (73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130).

  2. You can make this request:

    • In person at the Clerk's Office
    • By mail with a written request
    • Online through the Clerk's website

  3. Provide the following information:

    • Full names of both parties
    • Date of divorce (approximate if unknown)
    • Case number (if known)

  4. Pay the required fee: $2 per page plus a $2 certification fee.

A certified copy of the Final Judgment serves as legal proof of divorce and is accepted for all official purposes, including remarriage, name changes, and immigration matters.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Miami-Dade County?

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

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

  2. Confidential Filing: Certain documents can be filed as confidential, including:

    • Financial information
    • Medical records
    • Records containing information about minor children
    • Domestic violence information

  3. Settlement Agreements: Couples can keep details private by resolving issues through private settlement agreements before filing, limiting the information that becomes part of the public record.

To request confidentiality, you should consult with an attorney and file appropriate motions with the Family Division at 175 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 1343, Miami, FL 33128.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Miami-Dade County?

The duration of a divorce in Miami-Dade 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, child custody, or support, the process can take 6 months to over a year.

  3. Simplified Dissolution: For couples with no children, no alimony claims, and agreement on property division, this expedited process takes approximately 30 days.

Factors that can extend the timeline include:

  • Court backlog
  • Complexity of assets to divide
  • Child custody disputes
  • Discovery processes
  • Mediation requirements

Florida requires a 20-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized, even in the most straightforward cases.

How Long Does Miami-Dade County Keep Divorce Records?

Miami-Dade County maintains divorce records permanently. As official court documents, divorce records are preserved indefinitely in the county's record-keeping system. This includes:

  1. Physical Records: Older records may be stored in physical archives at the Clerk's Office (73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130).

  2. Digital Records: More recent records are maintained in electronic databases, with ongoing digitization of older records.

  3. Microfilm/Microfiche: Some historical records may be preserved in these formats.

This permanent retention ensures that individuals can access proof of divorce regardless of when the divorce occurred. However, older records (particularly those from before the 1970s) may be more difficult to locate and might require additional research assistance from the Clerk's Office staff.

How To Get a Divorce In Miami-Dade County

To obtain a divorce in Miami-Dade 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 Clerk of Courts at the Family Division (175 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 1343, Miami, FL 33128).

  3. Pay Filing Fee: The filing fee is approximately $409 (subject to change).

  4. Serve Your Spouse: Have your spouse legally served with the divorce papers, or they can file an acknowledgment of service.

  5. Financial Disclosure: Both parties must complete financial affidavits.

  6. Parenting Course: If children are involved, both parents must complete a parenting course.

  7. Resolution Process:

    • For uncontested divorces: Submit a marital settlement agreement and attend a final hearing.
    • For contested divorces: Participate in mediation, and if unsuccessful, proceed to trial.

  8. Final Judgment: Attend the final hearing where the judge will issue the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.

How To Get Divorce Papers In Miami-Dade County

There are several ways to obtain divorce papers in Miami-Dade County:

  1. In Person: Visit the Self-Help Center at the Miami-Dade County Courthouse (73 W. Flagler Street, Room 102, Miami, FL 33130) where staff can provide the necessary forms.

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

  3. By Mail: Contact the Clerk's Office and request that forms be mailed to you.

  4. Legal Aid: Organizations like Legal Services of Greater Miami (4343 W. Flagler Street, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33134) provide assistance with divorce paperwork.

Basic divorce packets include:

  • Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
  • Financial Affidavit
  • Notice of Social Security Number
  • Marital Settlement Agreement (for uncontested divorces)
  • Parenting Plan (if children are involved)

The Self-Help Center also offers assistance in completing these forms for a nominal fee.

Lookup Divorce Records in Miami-Dade County

For comprehensive access to divorce records in Miami-Dade County, you can utilize these resources:

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