Washington County dissolution of marriage records are court files that show when a marriage legally ended in Washington County, Florida. These records are kept by the county Clerk of Court and the Florida court system.
People look for them to confirm a divorce, to get a certified copy, or to check the status of a case. You can search by name, by case number, or by filing year. This page covers where these records are stored, who can request them, and how the process works in 2026.
Where Washington County Keeps These Records
Washington County dissolution of marriage records are held at the local Clerk of Court office. The clerk manages the court index, case dockets, and the final judgments. Most record requests begin at the county level because the clerk has the full case file. Statewide offices like the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics only carry short abstracts, not full court files.
Clerk of Court Contact Details
The Washington County Clerk of Court is the main office for record requests. The clerk’s name on file is Lora C. Bell. The office sits in Chipley, which is the county seat. You can call ahead to check hours and copy fees before visiting. Many record questions can also be answered by email or through the clerk website.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Lora C. Bell |
| Street Address | 1293 Jackson Ave., Suite 101 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 647, Chipley, FL 32428 |
| Phone Number | 850-638-6289 |
| Circuit | 14th Judicial Circuit |
| Website | washingtonclerk.com |
Circuit Court Coverage
Washington County sits inside the 14th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The circuit court handles all family law cases, including dissolutions of marriage. Court forms, filing rules, and hearing schedules follow circuit-wide rules. Knowing your circuit helps you pick the right court portal and the right form packet when you file or request a record.
How to Search Washington County Dissolution Records
You have three main ways to look up a dissolution of marriage case in Washington County. Each method has its own speed and detail level. The best choice depends on what you already know about the case and what you need from the record.
Search by Full Name
A name search is the most common way to start. You need the legal name of at least one spouse as it appears on the court file. The clerk search tool matches names against the court index. You can narrow results by year to speed up the lookup. If the name is common, add a middle name or a birth year if you know it.
Search by Case Number
A case number search is the fastest method. Each dissolution case gets a unique case number when it is filed. The number format in Florida family court usually starts with a year code, a court code, and a sequence number. If you have the case number, you can pull the full docket in one step. You can find the case number on any prior court paper from the same case.
Search by Filing Year
A year-based search helps when you do not know the full name. The clerk’s online system lets you browse cases filed in a given year. You can scroll through the index to spot the right party names. This method takes more time but is useful for older cases from the 1990s or earlier that may not be fully indexed by name.
Online Tools for Washington County Records
Washington County gives you a few online portals to check case status and pull docket images. Each portal serves a different purpose. Use them in the right order to avoid paying for the wrong record type.
Washington Clerk Official Portal
The clerk’s main website at washingtonclerk.com is the starting point. It links to the court records search, the official records search, and the e-filing system. The homepage also posts office hours, holiday closures, and fee schedules. Always check the homepage before submitting a request so you use the most current forms and fees.
The screenshot below shows the homepage used to start a Washington County dissolution of marriage records search.
This image shows where the search tools, fee lists, and contact forms sit on the clerk homepage. Use it to confirm you are on the real county site and not a third-party copy service.
Florida Official Records Search
Official records include deeds, liens, and certain final judgments that are recorded by the county. The statewide search portal at myfloridacounty.com lets you check if a final judgment of dissolution has been recorded. Recorded judgments are public and may show up before the case shows in the court docket search.
Florida E-Filing Portal
The Florida e-filing portal at myflcourtaccess.com handles all electronic filings. Lawyers and self-filers use it to submit petitions, responses, and motions. You can also use it to check the status of a pending case. Self-represented users can request a filing account through the clerk’s office.
What You Need to Request a Record
Washington County requires certain details to pull a record. A complete request avoids delays. Bring or send as much of the following as you can. Missing details can still be searched, but they may add time and cost.
Names and Dates
Provide the full legal names of both spouses as they appear on the case. Add the filing year or judgment year if you know it. The clerk uses these to match the index. If you do not know the year, list a short year range instead. The clerk can run a multi-year search but may charge a per-page fee for the extra results.
Case Style and Number
The case style lists the petitioner and respondent in the format used by Florida family court. For example, “Smith v. Smith” or “Jones vs. Jones.” If you have a case number, include it on the request form. Case numbers speed up lookups and reduce the chance of pulling the wrong file.
Type of Record Needed
Decide if you need a plain copy, a certified copy, or a full certified court file. A certified copy has a raised seal or stamped seal and is accepted by most government agencies. A plain copy is cheaper and works for personal use. The full file includes all motions, orders, and exhibits, while a decree copy only includes the final judgment page.
Costs and Certified Copy Fees
Copy fees in Washington County follow the statewide fee schedule set by the Florida Legislature. The clerk charges per page for regular copies and a higher fee for each certification. Fee totals depend on how many pages you ask for and how they are issued. Always check the current fee list before you send payment.
Standard Copy Charges
Standard copies usually cost a small fee per page. Most clerk offices round charges up to the nearest dollar. A typical dissolution decree is two to five pages, so the base cost stays low. Ask the clerk for a fee estimate if you need the entire case file, which can run into hundreds of pages.
Certified Copy Charges
Each certified copy carries a fixed fee set by state law. The fee covers the certification stamp, the clerk signature, and the page copy. You can request multiple certified copies of the same record in one visit. Many agencies ask for one or two certified copies, so order extras in case a copy is lost in the mail.
Payment Methods
The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major debit or credit cards. Online payments can be made through the e-filing portal for certain record types. Card payments may add a small processing fee. Mail requests should include a check or money order made out to the clerk of court.
Statewide Sources for Florida Divorce Records
The state of Florida runs two main offices that carry divorce data. Each office serves a different purpose. The county clerk remains the best source for full case files, but state offices help when you need a statewide search or a certificate for use outside Florida.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, part of the Florida Department of Health, keeps a statewide index of dissolutions. It can issue a verification letter for a divorce that took place in any Florida county. The bureau does not have full case files. It only carries the short record used for identity checks and benefit claims.
Florida Department of Health Office
The Florida Department of Health runs the statewide vital records system. You can order divorce certificates through its online portal or by mail. Processing times for mail orders run several weeks. Online orders are faster but cost more. Use this office when an agency asks for a state-issued certificate instead of a county-issued certified copy.
Filing Rules Under Florida Law
Florida law sets the rules for filing a dissolution and the timeline for the case. These rules also control how records move from the county to the state. Knowing the rules helps you predict when a record will appear online.
Six-Month Residency Rule
Under Florida Statute 61.021, at least one spouse must live in Florida for six months before filing a petition for dissolution. The court can refuse to hear the case if this rule is not met. Washington County clerks check residency before accepting a new filing. This rule protects against people filing in Florida just to get a quick divorce.
Minimum Waiting Period
Florida Statute 61.019 sets a minimum waiting period between the filing of the petition and the entry of the final judgment. The court can shorten this time only for good cause. Most simple dissolutions take at least a few weeks from filing to final judgment. Plan your record search around this minimum delay so you do not look for a judgment that does not exist yet.
Grounds for Dissolution
Florida Statute 61.052 lists the legal grounds for dissolution. The most common ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. The court can also grant a dissolution based on certain incapacity or mental health standards. The grounds listed on the final judgment become part of the public record and stay on file at the clerk’s office.
Property Division Standards
Florida Statute 61.075 controls how the court divides property and debt. The court aims for a fair split, not always a 50-50 split. Marital assets, separate assets, and premarital agreements all affect the outcome. The final judgment lists how property was divided, and that page is part of the dissolution record.
Self-Help and Legal Aid Resources
People without a lawyer can still file for dissolution or pull a record in Washington County. Florida courts run a self-help program that gives forms, instructions, and live support. Local legal aid groups may also help with low-cost representation in simple cases.
Florida Courts Self-Help Program
The Florida Courts self-help program offers family law forms, how-to guides, and live chat support. The self-help team can answer questions about forms and filing steps. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to write in your court papers. Use the program for procedural questions, not for strategy or legal opinions.
DIY Florida Document Interviews
The DIY Florida tool at the Florida Courts website walks you through filling out family law forms. It asks questions in plain language and then builds the right court form for your case. The tool works for simple dissolutions, simple parenting plans, and basic financial affidavits. Print the finished form and file it at the clerk’s office.
Local Legal Aid
Legal aid groups in the Florida panhandle serve low-income residents. They handle family law cases, including dissolutions, for free or at low cost. Income limits apply, and there may be waitlists. The clerk’s office can refer you to the local legal aid office. You can also contact the Florida Bar for lawyer referral help.
Washington County Cities and Where Records Are Filed
Washington County covers several small cities and towns. All dissolution cases in these areas are filed at the county level, not at the city level. City halls do not handle marriage or divorce records. Use the county clerk for any city inside the county.
Cities Inside Washington County
The main cities and towns in Washington County include Chipley, Bonifay, Caryville, Ebro, Vernon, and Wausau. Each city is small, and most residents travel to Chipley for court business. The clerk’s office in Chipley serves all cities in the county. If you live in any of these towns, your case is filed at the same clerk office.
Why Cities Do Not Hold These Records
Florida law gives county clerks authority over court records, including marriage dissolutions. City governments handle local matters like utilities, permits, and local ordinances. They do not have court clerks or judges. Every dissolution case in Washington County is filed at the 14th Judicial Circuit Court, no matter where the petitioner lives inside the county.
Common Issues When Requesting These Records
Most record requests in Washington County go smoothly, but some run into problems. Knowing the common issues ahead of time can save you time and money. Below are the issues that come up most often.
Name Spelling Problems
The clerk searches records using the exact spelling in the file. A small change in spelling, like “Smith” versus “Smyth,” can hide the case. Try alternate spellings if your first search comes back empty. Add a year range to widen the search when you are not sure of the exact spelling.
Old Records Not Fully Indexed
Records from before the 1990s may not be in the online system. Some older cases are only available on microfilm or in paper files at the clerk’s office. Plan an in-person visit for old records. Bring as much detail as you can, including full names and an estimated year, to help staff locate the file.
Sealed or Restricted Records
Some dissolution records are sealed by court order. Sealed records are not available to the public, even with a name search. Only the parties named in the case or their lawyers can request a sealed file. The clerk will tell you if a record is sealed and explain the steps to ask the court to unseal it.
How Long Record Requests Take
Record request times in Washington County depend on the type of request and the workload at the clerk’s office. Simple name searches return results the same day. Certified copies and full file requests take longer. Use the timeline below to set your expectations.
Same-Day Requests
Plain copies and name-based index searches usually return the same day. You can wait at the counter while the clerk runs the search. If the search is clear and the file is on the shelf, you leave with the copy in hand. Same-day service is the fastest option for a quick record check.
Mail and Online Requests
Mail requests can take one to three weeks, depending on mail delivery and clerk workload. Online requests through the e-filing portal are faster, often within a few business days. Add a few extra days for certified copies that need the clerk’s signature and seal. Tracking your request by phone or email is a good idea.
Contact and Office Hours for Washington County Clerk
The Washington County Clerk of Court office in Chipley is the main place to request dissolution records. Office hours and contact details are listed below. Calling ahead saves a trip and lets the clerk pull files before you arrive.
Office Address: 1293 Jackson Ave., Suite 101, Chipley, FL 32428
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 647, Chipley, FL 32428
Phone: 850-638-6289
Official Website: washingtonclerk.com
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Central Time
Closed on Florida state holidays
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to questions that come up most often about Washington County dissolution of marriage records. These answers cover the most common search methods, fees, and timelines. Use them to plan your record request and avoid delays.
Can I look up a divorce in Washington County for free?
Yes, the basic name search on the Washington County Clerk website is free. You can check the court index and pull docket images at no cost. Fees apply only when you ask for printed copies or certified copies. The free search is a good way to confirm a case exists before paying for a certified copy.
How do I get a certified copy of a divorce decree in Florida?
You can request a certified copy from the Washington County Clerk of Court where the case was filed. Bring a valid photo ID, the case details, and the certified copy fee. The clerk will stamp and sign the document. You can also order certified copies from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, but only for a short certificate, not the full decree.
What is the difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree?
A divorce certificate is a short state-issued record that lists the names of the parties, the date, and the county. A divorce decree is the full court order that ends the marriage. The decree includes all court findings, property division, and other orders. The clerk’s office has the full decree, while the state only issues the short certificate.
How long does it take to finalize a divorce in Washington County?
A simple uncontested dissolution in Washington County can be finalized in a few weeks to a few months. The minimum waiting period under Florida law is 20 days from the date of service. Contested cases take longer, sometimes six months to a year. Once the court signs the final judgment, the clerk indexes the case and the record becomes public.
Can I search Washington County divorce records by case number online?
Yes, the clerk’s online portal supports case number searches. Enter the full case number in the search field and the system will pull the docket. This is the fastest way to get case details, hearing dates, and document images. The system also supports partial case number searches when you do not have the full number.
Are Washington County divorce records public?
Yes, most divorce records in Washington County are public. The court index, the docket, and the final judgment are all open to public view. A small number of cases are sealed by court order. Sealed records are not available to the public. You can ask the clerk to confirm if a specific case is sealed before submitting a request.
What if the divorce happened many years ago and the file is missing?
Older case files are sometimes stored off-site or on microfilm. The clerk can still search the index by name and year. If the file is on microfilm, the clerk can print copies from the microfilm reader for a per-page fee. Some very old files may be lost or damaged, in which case the state vital records office may have a backup abstract that can serve as proof of divorce.