Palm Coast city dissolution of marriage records are kept by Flagler County court offices, not by the city of Palm Coast itself. Anyone in Palm Coast who needs these records must work through the Flagler County Clerk of Court, the Florida courts system, and the Florida Department of Health.
This page shows you exactly where to look, what forms to use, how much records cost, and how to order certified copies from your home in Palm Coast, Florida.
Where Palm Coast Divorce Files Are Stored
When a couple files for divorce in Palm Coast, the case goes to the Flagler County Circuit Court. The Circuit Court sits inside the county seat in Bunnell, even though most residents live in Palm Coast. The Clerk of Court stores every document filed in these cases. This includes the petition, financial forms, child support papers, and the final judgment of dissolution.
Flagler County Clerk of Court Office
The Flagler County Clerk of Court is the main place for Palm Coast dissolution of marriage records. The clerk holds the original court file after the judge signs the final order. You can visit the office in person to see the file, ask for copies, or pay for certified documents.
- Office Name: Flagler County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
- Clerk Name: Tom W. Bexley
- Building: Kim C. Hammond Justice Center
- Street Address: 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Building 1, Bunnell, FL 32110-0787
- Main Phone: 386-313-4400
- Website: flaglerclerk.com
What the Clerk Holds vs What the State Holds
The county clerk holds the full court file with all paperwork. The Florida Department of Health holds only the basic divorce certificate. The certificate shows names, the county where the divorce happened, the file date, and the case number. Many people need the certificate for name changes, while others need the full court file for legal reasons. Knowing which one you need saves time and money.
How to Search Palm Coast Dissolution Records
You can search for Palm Coast dissolution of marriage records using online tools, by phone, or by walking into the clerk office. Each method works better for different needs. Online search helps you check if a case exists. Phone and office visits help you order certified copies or get full file access.
Online Search by Name
The Flagler County clerk website lets you search by party name. You type the last name and first name of either spouse. The system shows the case number, filing date, judge, and case status. You can see if the case is open, closed, or on appeal. This tool is free to use at flaglerclerk.com.
- Go to flaglerclerk.com
- Click on Court Records Search
- Type the last name of either spouse
- Add the first name if you know it
- Filter by case type: Domestic Relations
- Read the case list and case numbers
Florida Statewide Court Access
The Florida e-filing portal gives you access to court records across all 67 counties. You can search Palm Coast cases there too. The statewide tool helps when you do not know which county the case was filed in. It also helps when you need to check if a divorce was filed in another part of Florida before the Palm Coast case. The portal is at myflcourtaccess.com.
Phone Requests and Mail Requests
You can call the clerk office at 386-313-4400 to ask about a case. Staff can confirm if a file exists, what documents are inside, and how to get copies. Mail requests work for certified copies. You send a written request with the case number, your ID copy, and a check or money order. Mail goes to the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center address listed above.
Costs, Fees, and Copy Charges in 2026
Fees change from year to year, so always confirm current prices before you order. As of 2026, the standard fees for Palm Coast dissolution of marriage records are listed below. The clerk office accepts cash, check, money order, and most major credit cards for in-person orders. Online orders use credit or debit cards only.
Standard Copy and Certification Fees
The clerk charges per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost more because they carry the court seal and clerk signature. Most legal requests need certified copies, not plain copies.
| Service | Fee in 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular copy, per page | $1.00 | Plain paper, no seal |
| Certified copy, per document | $2.00 | Court seal attached |
| Written confirmation of no record | $2.00 | Confirms no case exists |
| Exemplified copy | $7.00 | For use in foreign courts |
| Apostille service | $15.00 | State of Florida adds this |
| Credit card convenience fee | 3.5% | On card payments only |
Florida State Certificate Costs
The Florida Department of Health issues a state-level divorce certificate. This is different from the county court file. You can order this certificate online through VitalChek or by mail using a state form.
| Certificate Type | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard state certificate | $5.00 | 3 to 5 business days |
| Rush processing | $10.00 extra | 1 to 2 business days |
| Additional copies at same time | $4.00 each | Same as first copy |
Who Can Access These Records
Florida law says most dissolution of marriage records are public. This means anyone can look up basic case info online. Full access to the court file is also open to the public in most cases. There are a few limits based on safety and privacy laws.
Public Access Rules
The case number, names of both spouses, judge name, and final judgment date are all public. The financial documents filed during the case are also public. You do not need to be a party to the case to see these items. Anyone can walk into the clerk office and ask to see a case file.
Sealed and Confidential Cases
Some parts of a case can be sealed by a judge. A judge may seal financial records to protect trade secrets or private business info. Sealed parts are removed from public view. Adoption records tied to a divorce are always sealed. You cannot see sealed records without a court order.
Records Involving Minors or Domestic Violence
Cases with claims of domestic violence may have parts sealed for safety. The judge decides which parts to seal. Names of minors are often removed from public indexes. If a case involved minors and you need records, contact the clerk office for guidance on what is open and what is closed.
Florida Statewide Divorce Records Tools
Palm Coast residents can use statewide tools along with county tools. Statewide tools help when the divorce happened in another Florida county. They also help when you need a state-level certificate for name changes at the Social Security office or DMV.
Florida Department of Health Certificates
The Florida Department of Health keeps the official state divorce index. This index goes back to June 1927. You can order a state certificate online, by mail, or in person at the state office in Jacksonville. Each certificate shows the basic facts of the divorce as reported by the county clerk.
VitalChek Online Ordering
VitalChek is the official partner for online vital records in Florida. You can order a Florida divorce certificate through VitalChek 24 hours a day. The website is vitalchek.com. You pay the state fee plus a service charge. Most orders ship in 5 to 10 business days.
Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers group runs a shared website at flclerks.com. This site lists every county clerk in Florida. You can click any county to find that clerk’s website, phone, and address. This helps Palm Coast residents search for cases filed in other Florida counties.
Florida Laws That Govern These Records
Florida statutes control every part of divorce filings, case timing, and record access. The main statutes are listed below. These laws apply to Palm Coast cases in Flagler County the same way they apply to cases in Miami-Dade, Orange, Hillsborough, Duval, Palm Beach, Broward, and Pinellas counties.
Residency and Filing Rules
Florida Statute 61.021 requires one spouse to live in Florida for at least six months before filing. The case must be filed in the county where either spouse lives. For Palm Coast, this means the case goes to Flagler County Circuit Court. Both spouses must swap financial documents before the judge can sign the final order.
Grounds for Dissolution
Florida Statute 61.052 lists the legal reasons a judge can grant a divorce. Florida is a no-fault state. This means the most common reason is that the marriage is broken and cannot be fixed. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. The judge grants the divorce after the required waiting period and paperwork.
Final Judgment Timing
Florida Statute 61.019 sets the waiting period before a judge signs the final judgment. For most cases with no minor children, the shortest time from filing to final judgment is about 30 days. For cases with minor children, the shortest time is about 60 days. Most cases take longer due to paperwork and court schedules.
Vital Statistics Reporting
Florida Statute 382.023 requires the county clerk to send a report to the state after a divorce is final. The state uses this report to update the divorce index. This is why Palm Coast cases show up in state searches after final judgment. The report includes names, dates, county, and case number.
Comparing Palm Coast to Other Florida Counties
Palm Coast uses Flagler County as the court location. Other Florida cities use their own counties. The process is the same statewide, but each county has its own website, fees, and office hours. The table below shows common Florida counties that Palm Coast residents may need to contact.
Major Florida County Clerks
The clerks below handle the most dissolution of marriage cases in Florida. Palm Coast residents may need these offices for old cases, second marriages, or cross-state filings.
| County | City Served | Main Office |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | Miami | 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130 |
| Orange County | Orlando | 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 |
| Hillsborough County | Tampa | 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602 |
| Duval County | Jacksonville | 501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
| Palm Beach County | West Palm Beach | 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
| Broward County | Fort Lauderdale | 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Pinellas County | Clearwater | 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 |
Why County Choice Matters for Records
The county where the divorce was filed is the only county that holds the original court file. If you were divorced in Tampa but live in Palm Coast now, your records stay in Hillsborough County. You must contact Hillsborough County clerk to get a copy. The Palm Coast clerk cannot help with cases filed in other counties.
How to Get Certified Divorce Documents Step by Step
The certified copy process is the same in every Florida county. You can do it online, by mail, or in person. The steps below work for Palm Coast cases in Flagler County.
Step One: Find the Case Number
Look up the case using the online court records search. Write down the full case number, including the year, sequence number, and case type code. You need this number to order certified copies. If you cannot find the case number, visit the clerk office with the names and approximate year of the divorce.
Step Two: Pick Up or Order the Document
Decide which document you need. The final judgment is the main divorce decree. You may also need the marital settlement agreement, parenting plan, or financial affidavit. Tell the clerk exactly which document you want certified. Pay the fee per document listed in the fee table above.
Step Three: Verify Your ID
The clerk may ask for your photo ID when you request certified copies. Florida law requires identity checks for vital records. Bring a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. Mail requests must include a photocopy of your ID. Without ID, the clerk cannot release certified copies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many Palm Coast residents make simple errors when ordering divorce records. These mistakes cost time and money. Read the items below before you start your request.
Ordering the Wrong Document
The state certificate is not the same as the certified final judgment. The state certificate works for name changes and most personal needs. The certified final judgment works for legal cases, property sales, and court use in other states. Know which one you need before you pay.
Missing the Case Number
Searching without the case number can return similar names. Double check the full name, year, and county. Common names like Smith or Johnson can return many results. Add a middle name or birth year to narrow the search.
Forgetting Apostille for Foreign Use
If you need the document in another country, you may need an apostille from the Florida Department of State. The apostille proves the document is real for foreign courts. The clerk can give you a certified copy, but the apostille comes from the state, not the county.
Contact Details and Map for Palm Coast Records
Use the contact details below to reach the Flagler County Clerk of Court for Palm Coast dissolution of marriage records. Call before you visit so staff can pull the file and have it ready when you arrive.
- Office: Flagler County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
- Clerk: Tom W. Bexley
- Address: 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Building 1, Bunnell, FL 32110-0787
- Phone: 386-313-4400
- Website: flaglerclerk.com
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on state holidays
- Online Records Search: Available 24 hours at flaglerclerk.com
- State Vital Records: floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates
- Statewide Court Access: myflcourtaccess.com
- Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers: flclerks.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions Palm Coast residents ask about dissolution of marriage records. Each answer gives you clear steps you can take right now. Use these answers along with the contact details above to get the records you need.
Can I find Palm Coast divorce records for free?
Yes, you can search Palm Coast dissolution of marriage records for free using the Flagler County online court records search. The search shows case numbers, names, filing dates, and case status. You can also walk into the clerk office and ask to see a case file at no cost. Free access only covers viewing. You must pay the clerk fee for printed or certified copies.
How long does Flagler County keep old divorce records?
Flagler County keeps all divorce records forever. Florida law requires permanent storage of court files. Older cases from the 1900s are stored on microfilm. Newer cases are stored in digital systems. You can ask the clerk office to pull older files by case number or by name and year.
What if I do not know the case number for my Palm Coast divorce?
You can still get records without the case number. Use the online search by name at flaglerclerk.com. You can also call 386-313-4400 and give the clerk the full names of both spouses and the year of the divorce. Staff can find the case number for you and pull the file.
Can I get a Florida divorce certificate online from Palm Coast?
Yes, you can order a Florida divorce certificate online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. You fill in the names, year, and county. VitalChek sends the order to the Florida Department of Health. The state mails the certificate to your home in Palm Coast. This service works for any Florida divorce, not just Flagler County cases.
Are Palm Coast divorce records open to the public?
Most Palm Coast divorce records are public. You can see the case docket, the final judgment, and the financial documents filed in the case. Some parts may be sealed by a judge for safety or privacy. Sealed parts require a court order to view.
How do I fix a mistake on my Palm Coast divorce decree?
You file a motion with the Flagler County Circuit Court to correct the error. The judge signs an amended final judgment. After the amendment, the clerk sends a correction to the Florida Department of Health. You can then order a new certified copy with the correct information.
Can I use my Palm Coast divorce decree in another state?
Yes, certified copies of a Flagler County final judgment work in all other U.S. states. The other state court must accept Florida court documents under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution. For use in foreign countries, you need an apostille from the Florida Department of State.