Dixie County divorce decree records are the official court files that prove a marriage ended in this part of Florida. The records sit at the clerk’s office in Cross City.
People use them to confirm a divorce, update legal papers, or settle money and property questions. This page covers what the records hold, how to search them, how to order a certified copy, what the fees look like, and which Florida laws cover the process. Each step is built around the Dixie County Clerk of Court rules that apply in 2026.
What Are Divorce Decree Records in Dixie County
A divorce decree record is the paper the judge signs at the end of a Florida divorce case. The clerk files it with the court. The decree shows that a judge gave a final ruling. It is different from a marriage certificate, which proves two people got married. The decree proves the marriage legally ended.
Definition of a Final Judgment
In Florida, the document is called a final judgment of dissolution of marriage. The judge signs the final page. The clerk then stamps and files the decree in the official court record. Once filed, the decree becomes a public record. Anyone can ask the clerk for a copy. The clerk keeps the original in the official court file. You can ask for a plain copy or a certified copy. A certified copy has a raised seal or stamp from the clerk. Banks, courts, and other government offices usually need the certified kind for legal tasks.
What Information a Decree Contains
Most Dixie County divorce decrees show the full legal names of both spouses. They show the case number, the division of the court, and the judge who signed the order. They list the date the judge signed. They cover key court orders from the case. Common topics inside the decree include:
- Who pays child support and the amount of the payment
- Who gets custody of the minor children
- Who keeps the house, cars, and other property
- Who owes debt and who pays each debt
- Whether one spouse pays alimony to the other
- The date the marriage legally ended in Florida
Difference Between a Decree and a Certificate
A decree is the full court order. A certificate is a short form. Florida offers a certificate of dissolution of marriage through the state Office of Vital Statistics. The certificate only shows basic facts like names, the county where the divorce was filed, and the date the court signed. Many legal tasks need the full decree, not the short certificate. The clerk office can tell you which form fits your specific need.
How to Search for Divorce Records
You can search Dixie County divorce records online, by mail, by phone, or in person at the clerk counter. The clerk office runs most of these searches. State tools also help when the local office has limited details. Your success depends on having correct names, the filing year, or a full case number.
Online Records Search Tools
The Dixie County Clerk of Court runs an online portal at dixieclerk.org. The portal shows case information for civil and family cases filed in the circuit court. You can look up a divorce by name or by case number. The portal works best for recent cases from the last twenty years. Older cases filed before the digital system may need a manual search at the clerk counter. The portal screens show the case number, the filing date, the parties, the judge, and a list of documents filed in the case.
Search by Name Method
A name search is the most common way to look up a divorce. Type the last name first, then the first name. Add the middle name or initial if you know it. The portal pulls up cases that match. You can click each case to see more facts. If the portal shows no results, try a different spelling. Old records may have spelling errors in the typed index. You can also call the clerk office for help with the search if you cannot find the right match.
Search by Case Number Method
A case number search is the fastest way to pull up a record. The case number is on every paper filed in the case. It looks like 2023-DR-000123. Type the full case number into the search box on the portal. The system shows the case file right away. Use this method if you already have a paper that shows the case number from a prior court action or a prior copy order.
Clerk Office Portal Walkthrough
Start at the homepage of dixieclerk.org. Click the records search link. Pick the court type. For divorces, pick circuit civil or family. Type the name or case number. Hit search. Look at the results. Click the case number for the full record. The portal lists each document filed under that case. Some files have a scanned image you can view. Other files need a paid copy request to see the full text.
Request Options for a Certified Copy
You can get a certified copy of a divorce decree four ways. Walk in to the clerk counter, mail a request, place a phone order, or order online through the official portal. Each method has its own steps. The clerk charges a fee for each certified copy. The fee is set by Florida law and the local clerk fee schedule.
Walk-In Requests at the Clerk Office
The fastest way to get a certified copy is in person. Go to the clerk office at 214 NE Highway 351, Cross City, FL 32628. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Bring a valid photo ID. Fill out a records request form at the counter. Pay the fee. The clerk prints the certified copy during your visit in many cases. Some older records take longer to pull from the storage area.
Mail-In Request Method
You can mail your request to P.O. Box 670, Cross City, FL 32628. Send a written request letter. Include the full names of both spouses. Add the case number if you have it. Add the year of the divorce filing. Include a copy of your photo ID. Include a check or money order. Make the payment out to Dixie County Clerk of Court. Mail the packet to the address listed above. The clerk mails the certified copy back to you through the U.S. Postal Service.
Phone Request Method
Call the clerk office at (352) 498-1200. A clerk takes your request by phone. They ask for the same details as a mail request. You pay by credit card over the phone. The clerk then mails the certified copy to your mailing address. Phone orders often take the same time as mail orders. The clerk can also email you a confirmation with the order details.
Online Order Through Official Portals
The clerk office also takes orders through its online portal. The portal accepts credit card payments. It walks you through each step of the order. You enter the case details, pay the fee, and pick mail or in-person pickup. Online orders help people who live far from Cross City. The state vital records office can also be ordered through the Florida Department of Health portal or VitalChek for the short certificate form.
Fees, Payments, and Cost Details
Florida law sets most clerk fees in the state. The clerk office in Dixie County follows the state fee schedule for certified copies. The total cost depends on what you need. A plain copy costs less than a certified copy. A search fee also applies when the record is hard to find in storage.
Certified Copy Fee Structure
The certified copy fee is $15 for one standard divorce decree. This fee covers one certified copy of the document. Each extra certified copy of the same decree is $15 more. A certification page with the clerk seal adds no extra fee on its own. Some documents need more than one certification page, which raises the total. The clerk tells you the full total before you pay so you know the cost up front.
Search Fee for Hard-to-Find Records
A search fee applies when the record is not easy to find. The fee is $1 for the first page searched. Each extra page costs $0.25. Old paper records or cases with name spelling issues often trigger this fee. The clerk only charges the fee after a real search has taken place. The fee does not apply to records you find yourself through the online portal index.
Accepted Payment Methods
The clerk office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. Checks and money orders must be made out to Dixie County Clerk of Court. Credit cards have a small service fee set by the payment processor. Online orders only accept credit cards and debit cards through the portal. Mail orders only accept checks and money orders. In-person orders accept all forms of payment at the counter.
| Request Type | Fee | Payment Forms |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | $15 per copy | Cash, check, money order, card |
| Plain Copy (per page) | $1 first page, $0.25 each extra | Cash, check, money order, card |
| Search Fee | $1 first page, $0.25 each extra | Cash, check, money order, card |
| Online Card Service Fee | Set by processor | Credit or debit card only |
Processing Time and Record Delivery
Processing time depends on the request type and office load. Walk-in orders are often ready the same day. Mail and online orders take more time. The clerk aims to send certified copies within 7 to 10 business days. Some orders take longer if an extra search is needed in the storage area.
Standard Processing Window
Walk-in requests are often filled during the visit. Simple mail requests take 7 to 10 business days. Online requests take 5 to 7 business days on average. Phone requests take 7 to 10 business days. State vital records certificates take 3 to 5 weeks through the Florida Department of Health. The clerk only starts the clock after the payment clears the office account.
Factors That Delay Processing
Some requests take longer than the standard window. A delay can happen in these cases:
- The name has a spelling issue in old paper records
- The case number is missing or wrong on the request form
- The payment is unclear or short by even a small amount
- The photo ID is missing or expired at the time of the request
- The case is sealed by a judge under a court order
- The clerk office has a high workload from a busy filing week
How to Track Your Request
Each request gets a tracking number. The clerk writes it on your receipt at the counter. Online orders get a confirmation email with the tracking number. You can call the clerk office and give the tracking number to the records staff. The clerk checks the status for you. They tell you if the request is in queue, in process, or already mailed out. You can also ask the clerk to email you when the copy is on its way.
Who Can Request These Records
Florida law says most court records are open to the public. Divorce decrees fall under this rule. Almost anyone can ask the clerk for a copy. Some cases are sealed by a judge for privacy or safety reasons. Sealed cases have strict limits on who can see them under the court order.
Eligible Requesters Under Florida Law
Florida law lets the following people ask for a divorce decree copy from the clerk office:
- Either spouse named on the decree
- Attorneys for either spouse with a current bar number
- Adult children of either spouse with valid ID
- Government agencies on official business with a written request
- Anyone with a court order for the record
- The general public for most non-sealed cases
Identity Verification Requirements
The clerk office checks your ID before releasing a certified copy. The check protects against identity fraud in court records. You must show a valid photo ID. Accepted forms include a state driver’s license, a passport, a military ID, or a state-issued ID card. Mail requests need a clear photocopy of the same kind of ID. Online orders may need a signed ID form uploaded through the portal. The clerk office can tell you the exact rule for your specific request type.
Sealed or Restricted Cases
Some divorce cases are sealed by a judge. A judge must sign a court order to seal a case file. Sealed cases protect private facts like domestic abuse claims, custody fights, or sensitive money disputes. Sealed records are not open to the public. Only the people named in the court order can see them. The clerk office checks the seal status before releasing any record. You can ask the clerk if a specific case is sealed before you pay the search fee.
Florida Statutes That Apply
Three main Florida laws cover Dixie County divorce decree records. These laws set the rules for filing, copies, and who can see the records. The clerk office follows these laws every day in the records department.
Chapter 382 Vital Statistics
Florida Statute Chapter 382 covers vital records across the state. It controls the filing of dissolution reports with the state Office of Vital Statistics. The clerk sends a report to the state after a judge signs a final decree. The report reaches the state vital records office about 60 days after the local filing. The state then issues certificates based on this report for any Florida resident.
Chapter 28 Clerk Duties
Florida Statute Chapter 28 lists the duties of the clerk of court in each county. It covers filing court papers, keeping records, and charging fees. The Dixie County clerk follows Chapter 28 for all family court records filed at the courthouse. This law sets the fee for certified copies and the search fee for hard-to-find records.
Chapter 119 Public Records Law
Florida Statute Chapter 119 is the main public records law. It says all government records are open to the public. A few records are exempt under specific rules, like sealed cases and certain adoption files. Divorce decrees are open records under this law. This is why almost anyone can ask the clerk for a copy of a non-sealed decree.
Office Location and Contact Details
The Dixie County Clerk of Court is the main office for divorce decree records. The office sits in Cross City in the heart of Dixie County. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. You can visit in person, call, mail a request, or place an order online through the portal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Dixie County Clerk of Court and Comptroller |
| Physical Address | 214 NE Highway 351, Cross City, FL 32628 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 670, Cross City, FL 32628 |
| Phone | (352) 498-1200 |
| Fax | (352) 498-1272 |
| Website | dixieclerk.org |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Common Questions About Dixie County Records
People often have basic questions about divorce decree records in Dixie County. The next section covers the most common ones asked at the clerk counter and on the phone. Each answer is built from clerk office rules, Florida law, and the daily work of the records staff. Read through them to clear up any doubt before you place your request.
Can I search Dixie County divorce records for free?
Yes, you can search the case index for free through the clerk office online portal at dixieclerk.org. The portal lists case numbers, names of both spouses, filing dates, and the judge assigned to the case. You can also see a list of documents filed in the case under each case number. The portal does not show the full text of the divorce decree. To read the full text, you need to pay a copy fee. To get a certified copy with the official seal, you must pay the certified copy fee of $15. A walk-in visit also lets you use the public terminal in the clerk lobby at no cost. The terminal runs the same software as the public portal. Old paper records from before the digital system may need a manual search at the counter. The clerk staff can pull the physical file for you. They charge a search fee if the file is not easy to find. The search fee is $1 for the first page and $0.25 for each extra page. The free search option works for most users who only need to confirm a divorce happened. The free search also helps people who want to find a case number before ordering a paid certified copy.
How long does the clerk office keep old divorce records?
Florida law requires the clerk to keep divorce records forever. Dixie County keeps old paper files in a secure storage area at the courthouse. Older paper files are also being scanned into the digital system under a long-term project. The clerk office can pull an old paper file if the online portal does not show the case in the index. Old records may need a manual search fee based on the time it takes the staff to find the file. Records from the 1960s and earlier sit in boxes marked by year and alphabet range. Records from the 1980s and later are more likely to be in the digital index. Records from the 2000s forward are almost all in the digital index. The clerk can also pull microfilm copies of very old files when the paper original is too fragile to handle. The microfilm is kept on rolls in a separate storage room. You can ask the clerk what format your old record sits in before you pay any search fee.
Do I need a case number to get a copy?
No, you do not need a case number to place a copy order. You can search by the full legal names of both spouses. The clerk will look up the case by name. The search works best when you also give the year of the divorce filing. The year helps narrow down the result if the spouses have a common last name. A case number speeds up the search, but it is not required. The clerk can also look up a case by the date the judge signed the final decree. This method works when you have the exact date from another legal paper. The clerk can also search by the attorney of record if you know which lawyer handled the case. The name search is the slowest method. The case number search is the fastest method at the counter. The clerk tells you the wait time before you pay any fee.
Can I get a divorce decree from another county through Dixie County?
No. The Dixie County clerk only holds records for cases filed in Dixie County. A divorce filed in Miami-Dade County, for example, is kept by the Miami-Dade clerk office. You must order a copy from the clerk office in the county where the judge signed the decree. The Florida Department of Health can also issue state certificates that cover all Florida counties through one order. The state certificate is the short form, not the full decree. For the full decree text, you must go to the original county of filing. Some counties let you order online. Other counties only take mail or in-person requests. The Dixie County clerk cannot transfer your request to another county for you. You can find the right county clerk through the Florida Courts website clerk directory at flcourts.org. The directory lists every county clerk office in the state with phone, address, and website links for each one.
What is the difference between a decree and a certificate?
A divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It lists all the judge rulings on property division, child custody, child support, alimony, and other matters in the case. A divorce certificate is a short form. It only shows the names of both spouses, the county where the divorce was filed, and the date the court signed the order. Banks, courts, and most legal tasks need the full decree. A short certificate works for simple proof of divorce in some cases, like updating a name with the Social Security Administration. The full decree costs $15 per certified copy from the clerk office. The short certificate costs more through the state vital records office and takes longer to process. The clerk office can tell you which form your specific need calls for before you pay any fee. The two forms are not interchangeable for legal filings in most cases.
Can a sealed divorce decree ever be opened?
A sealed decree can be opened by a court order. A judge must sign an order to unseal the case file. The party asking for the unsealing must show a legal reason in a written motion. Common reasons include new court cases that need the old divorce records, background checks for certain jobs, or family research under specific rules. The clerk office cannot open a sealed case without a court order from a sitting judge. You can ask the clerk if a specific case is sealed before you pay the search fee. The clerk checks the seal status through the case index. If the case is sealed, the clerk tells you the date of the seal order and the judge who signed it. You then need to file a motion with the court that issued the seal. The court holds a short hearing on the motion before any unsealing happens. The unsealing process can take several weeks or months based on the court calendar.
Is a digital certified copy accepted by banks and courts?
Most banks and courts still want a paper certified copy. The paper form has a raised seal, a clerk signature, and a stamp from the records department. A digital PDF with a digital signature is accepted by some offices under Florida’s electronic records law. Call the bank or court office to ask which form they take before you place your order. The clerk can tell you what kind of certified copy they issue for your case file. The clerk office issues paper certified copies by default. The clerk office can also issue an electronic certified copy with a digital signature through the portal for an extra fee. The electronic certified copy works for some government agencies and some online legal filings. The paper certified copy works for nearly every legal use across the state. The clerk can add a raised seal to the paper copy for an extra fee in some cases. The extra seal is required for international legal use in some countries. You can ask the clerk about the seal options when you place your copy order.
