Miami Beach City Dissolution Of Marriage Records are kept at the Miami-Dade County courthouse, not by city offices. The city of Miami Beach falls under Miami-Dade County and the 11th Judicial Circuit.
Any person who needs to look at a divorce file, order a certified copy, or check a case must use the county clerk’s office. Statewide tools help confirm forms and ordering rules, but the actual court file stays with the county. This page explains how to reach the right office, what documents you will get, and what costs and timelines apply in 2026.
Where Miami Beach Divorce Records Are Kept
Miami Beach sits inside Miami-Dade County. All family court cases for residents of Miami Beach are filed and stored with the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts. The clerk keeps the case docket, the final judgment, and any supporting papers. The clerk also issues certified copies that other courts and agencies will accept.
Miami-Dade County Clerk Role
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts is the main office for any Miami Beach divorce record request. The current Clerk of Courts is Harvey Ruvin, who has held the office for many years. The main office sits at 73 West Flagler Street, Suite 133, Miami, Florida 33130. The main phone line for records and customer service is 305-275-1155. The official website is https://miami-dadeclerk.com/.
Circuit Court Jurisdiction
Miami Beach cases fall under the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The family division handles all divorce filings. Court hearings may take place at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128. Some uncontested cases are handled through the clerk without a court hearing. Visitors should call ahead to confirm the right location for their case type.
What Records Are Public
Most court records in Florida family cases are public. This includes the petition, the final judgment, and most motions filed before the case closed. Financial papers filed under seal are not public. Adoption records, certain child custody evaluations, and some domestic violence filings may also be sealed. Sealed records require a court order before the clerk can release them.
How To Search For Miami Beach Divorce Records
You can search Miami Beach divorce records in person, online, or by mail. The fastest method is the county online portal. The most complete method is visiting the clerk’s records desk. Each method works best for different needs.
Online Search by Name
The Miami-Dade Clerk runs an online case search tool on https://miami-dadeclerk.com/. You can search by full name, case number, or filing date range. The portal shows case status, hearing dates, and a list of filed documents. Free viewers show the basic docket, but you must pay a fee to view or print each document image. The portal covers cases filed after 1973. Older files may need an in-person request.
Case Number Search
If you know the case number, the online search is faster and more exact. Case numbers in Miami-Dade family court follow a format with the year, a court code, and a sequence number. Entering the full number gives the exact docket page. Users with just a partial number can call the clerk’s office to confirm the rest. County clerks never share sealed case numbers over the phone without proof of identity.
County Clerk Portal Steps
The county portal follows a simple set of steps. First, go to https://miami-dadeclerk.com/ and click on Court Records Search. Second, pick Family Court under case type. Third, enter the last name of either spouse. Fourth, narrow by year or case number. Fifth, select the case to view the docket. Sixth, click on each document to view the image. Users must set up a paid account to download or print.
Certified Copies and Official Documents
Most legal needs require a certified copy rather than a simple printout. Certified copies carry the clerk’s seal and signature. They are accepted by federal agencies, other state courts, and insurance companies. Plain printouts from the online portal are not certified and are not accepted for legal changes.
Requesting Certified Divorce Decrees
You can order certified copies in person, by mail, or through the clerk’s certified copy service. The clerk charges a fee per page and per certification seal. As of 2026, the standard fee is $1.00 per page and $2.00 per certification in Miami-Dade County. Payment methods include cash, money order, and most major cards. The clerk will return the certified copy by mail if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Vital Statistics Certificates
The Florida Department of Health keeps a separate record of each finalized divorce. This is called a dissolution certificate. You can order it through the state vital records office or through VitalChek, the state’s authorized vendor. The site is https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates/ and https://www.vitalchek.com. Vital statistics records are shorter than court decrees and only show basic facts like names, date of divorce, and county.
Processing Times and Fees
In-person requests are often ready within the same day for files stored on-site. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. Online orders through VitalChek can be ready in 2 to 5 business days. Rush shipping adds an extra fee. The clerk accepts payment in cash, check, money order, or card for in-person orders. Mail orders should include a check or money order.
Florida County Divorce Records Across the State
Miami Beach residents must use Miami-Dade County. People living in other parts of Florida use the county where they filed. Each county has its own clerk portal. The state’s main portal links them all through https://www.flclerks.com/.
Broward County Divorce Records
Broward County keeps records through the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The main office is at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. The records phone line is 954-831-2200. Online search is available at https://www.browardclerk.org/.
Orange County Florida Divorce Records
Orange County records are filed with the Orange County Clerk of Courts. The address is 425 N Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801. The main phone line is 407-836-2000. The online search portal is https://myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com/.
Hillsborough County Divorce Records
Hillsborough County keeps divorce files through the Clerk of Court. The main office is at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, Florida 33602. The phone number is 813-276-8100. Records search is online at https://www.hillsclerk.com/.
Duval County Divorce Records
Duval County records sit with the Duval County Clerk of Courts. The office is at 501 West Adams Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. The records phone number is 904-255-2000. The search tool is at https://www.duvalclerk.com/.
Palm Beach County Divorce Records
Palm Beach County records are filed with the Clerk of Courts. The main office is at 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. The phone line is 561-355-2996. The portal is https://www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/.
Pinellas County Divorce Records
Pinellas County keeps records with the Pinellas County Clerk of Court. The address is 315 Court Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756. The phone line is 727-464-7000. The portal is https://www.pinellasclerk.org/.
Lee County Florida Divorce Records
Lee County records sit with the Lee County Clerk of Court. The main address is 2115 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33901. The phone line is 239-533-5000. The portal is https://www.leeclerk.org/.
Legal Rules for Florida Divorce Cases
Florida has statewide rules for divorce filings. These rules apply to every case, including those filed by Miami Beach residents. Knowing these rules helps you prepare a request or check a case file.
Residency Requirements
Florida law requires that at least one spouse live in Florida for six months before filing. The filing must also take place in the county where the filing spouse lives. Miami Beach residents file in Miami-Dade County because that is where they reside. Children and property do not need to be in Florida for the case to move forward.
Filing and Grounds
Florida is a no-fault state. The only legal ground for divorce is that the marriage is broken beyond repair. The petition must state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. A spouse does not need to prove wrongdoing to file. Florida courts do not consider fault when dividing property or deciding support in most cases.
Final Judgment Process
A Florida divorce ends with a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. For an uncontested divorce, the court enters the final judgment after reviewing the signed settlement agreement. For a contested divorce, the court holds a trial and issues a final judgment after the trial ends. The clerk sends a report to the state vital records office after the final judgment is entered.
Common Issues With Divorce Records
Some record requests run into problems. Knowing these issues helps you prepare so your request goes smoothly. Each issue has a clear path to solve it.
Old Records and Archives
Records older than 50 years may move to the state archives. Miami-Dade has older family files stored off-site. The clerk charges a retrieval fee for pulling archived files. Users should call the clerk before visiting so the file can be pulled in advance. Retrieval often takes 1 to 3 business days.
Name Changes After Divorce
A final judgment can restore a former name. The clerk records this in the judgment itself. To change a Social Security card, the certified final judgment must be sent to the Social Security Administration. To change a driver’s license, the same certified copy must be brought to a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office.
Uncontested Divorce Records
Uncontested cases often have fewer documents. The main file includes the petition, the answer or waiver, the settlement agreement, and the final judgment. There are usually no hearing transcripts. Many uncontested cases are handled by the clerk without a judge hearing live testimony. This makes the file smaller and faster to copy.
Tools and Forms for Florida Divorce
The Florida Courts system offers free forms and self-help tools for people filing without a lawyer. These same tools help people who want to read their own case files. Miami Beach residents can use any of these statewide tools because family law is the same across Florida.
Family Law Forms
The official Florida family law forms are posted at https://www.flcourts.gov/Services/Family-Courts/domestic-relations-court-resources/family-law-forms. The forms cover petitions, answers, financial affidavits, and parenting plans. Each form has a set of instructions that explain how to fill it out. The forms are free to download and free to use.
Self-Help Information
The Florida Courts Self-Help Program provides plain-language help for people without a lawyer. The self-help page is at https://www.flcourts.gov/Services/Family-Courts/self-help-information. The page explains each step of a divorce case, what forms to use, and what to expect in court. The page also lists local self-help clinics in Miami-Dade County.
DIY Florida Document Builder
The Florida Courts site also has a tool called DIY Florida. The tool is at https://www.flcourts.gov/sandbox/florida-courts-help/diy-florida. Users answer questions in plain language and the tool fills out the forms for them. Users can print the filled forms and file them at the clerk’s office. The tool is free and does not store personal data after the session ends.
Miami-Dade Clerk Contact and Office Details
The main office for Miami Beach divorce records is the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts. The address is 73 West Flagler Street, Suite 133, Miami, Florida 33130. The records phone number is 305-275-1155. The website is https://miami-dadeclerk.com/. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed on federal and state holidays.
FAQ
Below are answers to questions people often ask about Miami Beach divorce records. Each answer covers the main point, the steps to take, and the costs or timelines involved. The questions come from real searches made in 2026.
Are Miami Beach divorce records public?
Yes. Most Miami Beach divorce records are public under Florida law. The clerk makes the docket, the petition, and the final judgment available to anyone who asks. Some parts of the file may be sealed by a judge’s order. Sealed parts include financial records filed under seal, adoption files, and certain child custody evaluations. Sealed records need a court order before the clerk will release them. Public records may still require a fee to copy.
How long does it take to get a certified divorce decree in Miami-Dade County?
In-person requests at the Miami-Dade clerk’s office are often ready the same day for files kept on-site. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days after the clerk receives the request. Online orders through VitalChek take 2 to 5 business days plus shipping time. Older files stored off-site add 1 to 3 business days for retrieval. Rush mail is available for an extra fee.
Can I search Miami Beach divorce records for free?
Yes. The online portal at https://miami-dadeclerk.com/ lets you search and view basic docket entries for free. You can see the case number, parties’ names, filing dates, and document list. There is a fee to view or print the actual document images. In-person records searches at the clerk’s office are also free for the lookup itself, but copies and certified copies have fees.
What is the difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate?
A divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It covers property, custody, support, and the official end of the marriage. A divorce certificate is a short record from the state vital statistics office. It shows only the names, the date of divorce, and the county. The decree is the legal document. The certificate is used for proof of single status with federal agencies.
What if my divorce happened more than 30 years ago in Miami Beach?
Older cases may still be with the Miami-Dade clerk, but they may be stored off-site. The clerk charges a retrieval fee for files stored off-site. Records from before 1973 may not appear in the online portal. You should call the clerk at 305-275-1155 before visiting so the file can be pulled. Some very old records may have been sent to the state archives.
Can someone else pick up my certified divorce decree?
Yes. A friend or family member can pick up a certified copy with a signed authorization letter from you. The letter must include your name, the case number, the document you want, and the name and ID of the person you trust to pick it up. The person picking up must show a valid photo ID. The clerk keeps the authorization letter on file.
Do I need a lawyer to request a Miami Beach divorce record?
No. Any person can request a public record from the clerk without a lawyer. You only need a lawyer if you are filing a new case, fighting a motion, or trying to unseal a sealed record. Record requests are routine and the clerk’s staff can walk you through the steps. Most people get their records without hiring a lawyer.