Osceola County family court records cover all legal files from the county’s family law division, which sits in the 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida. These records include divorce cases, child custody orders, child support files, paternity actions, adoption papers, domestic violence petitions, and name change requests.
The Office of Kelvin Soto, Esq., Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller, keeps these files at 2 Courthouse Square in Kissimmee, Florida 34741. Anyone can look at most of these records for free through the clerk’s online portal, and paper copies are also available for a small fee.
Clerk Office That Holds Osceola County Family Court Records
The Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the official record keeper for all family court matters filed in the county. This office has run for many years under Florida law, which requires clerks to keep court files safe and open to the public. The current clerk, Kelvin Soto, leads the office and oversees a staff that handles thousands of family cases each year. The office is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Orange County.
Office Location and Contact Details
The main clerk office sits in downtown Kissimmee at 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741. This location is easy to reach by car and public bus routes. Visitors can call the clerk at (407) 742-3500 for general questions or (407) 742-3708 for family court record searches. The official website at osceolaclerk.org gives 24-hour access to many services.
Office Hours and Walk-In Service
The clerk office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on state holidays. Family court record searches at the public counter run during these same hours. Staff members help visitors use the public access computers, pull paper files from storage, and order certified copies. A second clerk location in Poinciana also serves residents who live south of Kissimmee.
New Poinciana Branch Office
The Poinciana clerk office opened to serve the fast-growing south county area. This branch handles basic family court services, including record copies, eFiling support, and payment processing. The address for the Poinciana location can be found on the clerk’s website. This branch helps residents who live in Poinciana, St. Cloud, and nearby communities save travel time.
Types of Family Court Records You Can Request
Osceola County family court records cover a wide range of domestic relations cases. Each case type has its own set of forms, filings, and final orders. The clerk stores all these files in both paper and digital form, with newer cases filed electronically through the Florida Courts eFiling system.
Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage Records
Divorce records make up the largest group of family court files in Osceola County. A typical divorce file contains the petition, financial affidavits, parenting plans (when children are involved), settlement agreements, and the final judgment. To file for divorce in Osceola County, at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before filing. The basic filing fee applies, and service fees of $40 per defendant apply if the sheriff serves the papers. Many simple divorces take only a few months from filing to final judgment.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing Records
Child custody cases include parenting plans that lay out where children live, how parents split holidays, and who makes major decisions about school, health, and religion. These files also include mediation reports, custody evaluations (when ordered by the court), and any motions to change custody. Parents who want to change an existing custody order must file a supplemental petition and show that there has been a major change in circumstances since the last order.
Child Support Case Files
Child support records include the petition, financial worksheets, and the court’s final order setting the support amount. Most support amounts in Florida follow the statutory guidelines, which are based on the parents’ combined income and the number of children. The Florida Department of Revenue also handles many support cases through an administrative process that can be enforced in family court. Parents can request a support review every three years or when income changes by at least 20%.
Paternity Case Records
Paternity cases establish the legal father of a child. These files include the petition to establish paternity, DNA test results (when used), and the final order that names the legal father and sets support or custody terms. Unmarried fathers often need to file a paternity case to get custody or visitation rights. The clerk keeps both agreed and contested paternity cases on file.
Adoption Records
Adoption files are the most sensitive family court records. These include the petition for adoption, the home study report, the consent of the birth parents, and the final adoption decree. Most adoption records are closed to the public once the adoption is final, but the adoptive parents and the adopted child (after turning 18) can request a copy. Florida law protects the identity of birth parents in most adoption cases.
Domestic Violence and Injunction Records
Domestic violence cases begin with a petition for injunction, followed by a hearing where the court decides whether to issue a final injunction. These files also include any violations reported later. Some injunction papers may be sealed or have personal contact details removed to protect the petitioner. The clerk can confirm whether an injunction exists but may not share all details over the phone.
Name Change Records
Adult and minor name changes are filed in family court. The file includes the petition, fingerprints, background check results, and the final order granting the name change. The new name must be used on all legal records once the order is signed. Certified copies of name change orders are often needed for the Social Security Administration and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
How to Search Osceola County Family Court Records Online
The fastest way to find a family court case is through the online search tools. The clerk offers two main online systems: the local Osceola County case search and the statewide MyFloridaCourtAccess portal. Both systems are free to use and show basic case data, hearing dates, and party names.
Using the Osceola Clerk Online Search
The clerk’s official website at osceolaclerk.org has a direct link to the court records search tool. Users can search by party name, case number, or citation number. The search works best when you enter the full legal name (last name first) and add a date of birth if you have it. Results show the case type, filing date, and current status. Clicking on a case opens a full docket view with hearing dates and document list.
MyFloridaCourtAccess Statewide Portal
The MyFloridaCourtAccess portal at myflcourtaccess.com links directly to Osceola County’s records and covers all 67 Florida counties. This tool helps users who need to check cases in more than one county. The portal shows the same case data as the local site but adds statewide case history. It is run by the Florida Courts system and is free for basic searches. Registered users can also pay a small fee to see document images online.
Searching by Case Number
A case number search is the most exact way to find a specific family court file. Each case gets a unique number that appears on every court paper. Florida case numbers for family cases often start with a year, followed by a court code (like “DR” for domestic relations or “MM” for miscellaneous), and a sequence number. The clerk’s search system goes straight to the case when the number is entered correctly.
Searching by Party Name
Name searches work well but return more results, especially for common names. To get the best results, enter the full last name first, then the first name, and add a middle name or initial if you know it. Users can also narrow results by date range or case type. If too many cases show up, the system lets you sort by filing date to find the right one.
How to Get Osceola County Family Court Records in Person
Some family court records are only available at the courthouse. In-person visits let you see complete case files, including documents that have not been uploaded online. The clerk provides public access computers, file retrieval staff, and certified copy services for walk-in customers.
What to Bring to the Courthouse
All visitors must show a valid photo ID to enter the records area. Acceptable IDs include a Florida driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. You should also bring any case numbers, party names, or filing dates you already know. This helps staff pull the right file quickly. Visitors can use their own laptops on the public Wi-Fi network, but personal scanners are not allowed.
Public Access Computers at the Clerk Office
The clerk office has several public computers that connect to the same online case search used on the website. These computers offer free printing at a small per-page cost. Staff can show first-time users how to run a search and read the docket. The computers run during normal business hours and do not need an appointment.
Requesting Older or Archived Records
Family court cases filed more than 10 years ago may be stored off-site. These archived records can still be ordered through the clerk, but they take 3 to 5 business days to retrieve. Users can place a request in person, by phone, or by mail. A small retrieval fee applies for off-site files, plus the standard copying fee per page.
Getting Certified Copies
Certified copies have the clerk’s official seal and are accepted by other courts, government agencies, and employers. The fee for a certified copy is set by Florida law and may be higher than a regular copy. Certified copies of family court judgments are often required to enforce an order in another state under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) or the Full Faith and Credit Act.
Filing Fees and Costs for Family Court Records
Most basic searches are free, but the clerk charges fees for copies, certifications, and special services. These fees are set by Florida statute and apply to all counties. The clerk accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, and major credit cards at the counter.
Standard Copy and Certification Fees
The standard copy fee is set per page, with a small surcharge for certification. The clerk’s website lists the current fee schedule, and staff can quote exact prices over the phone. There is no charge to view public records in person, but copies and certified copies are not free. Payment is required before the documents are released.
eFiling Fees and Service Charges
Florida requires most family court filings to go through the statewide eFiling system. The eFiling portal charges a small convenience fee per filing, which is separate from the court’s filing fee. Credit card payments add a percentage processing fee. The clerk’s website has a fee calculator that shows the total cost before you submit a filing.
Sealed and Confidential Family Court Records
Some family court files are sealed by court order and are not open to the public. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 governs when records can be sealed. Common sealed records include adoption files, juvenile dependency records, and cases where the court finds a privacy interest that outweighs the public’s right to know.
How to Request Access to Sealed Records
Parties to a case, attorneys of record, and government agencies with a legal need can ask the court to open a sealed file. The request is made by filing a motion to unseal, which the judge will review. The public cannot view sealed records without a court order. The clerk will deny any request for a sealed file that is not supported by proper legal authority.
Confidential Personal Information
Even in public family court files, certain personal details are kept confidential. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s information are redacted from public records under Florida law. Users who need full information must be a party to the case or have a court order that allows access to the unredacted file.
9th Judicial Circuit Family Court and Osceola County Cases
Osceola County family cases are heard in the 9th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Orange County. The family court division has judges who specialize in domestic relations cases, including divorce, custody, support, and adoption. The main family courthouse in Osceola County is the Jon B. Morgan Osceola County Courthouse in Kissimmee.
Family Court Mediation Program
The 9th Circuit requires most family court parties to attend mediation before a final hearing. A neutral mediator helps parents reach an agreement on custody, time-sharing, and support. The Family Mediation program is offered at no cost or on a sliding scale based on income. Many cases settle at mediation, which saves time, money, and stress for the family.
Mandatory Parenting Course
Florida law requires all parents in custody and divorce cases involving minor children to complete a parenting course. The course covers child development, conflict resolution, and the impact of family disputes on children. Approved courses are offered online and in person, and parents receive a certificate of completion that must be filed with the court.
Self-Help Family Law Forms
The Florida Courts website at flcourts.gov provides free official family law forms in the 12.900 series. These forms cover petitions, motions, financial affidavits, and parenting plans. All forms are available in PDF and RTF formats. Self-represented parties can use these forms without hiring an attorney, though the clerk cannot give legal advice on how to fill them out.
Electronic Filing and Online Case Access in Osceola County
Florida has moved most family court filings to electronic systems. The statewide eFiling portal lets attorneys and self-represented parties file family court papers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The system accepts new cases, motions, and proposed orders.
eNotify Court Reminders
The clerk offers a free eNotify service that sends text and email reminders about court dates. Users can sign up online by adding their case number and contact details. eNotify is a good way to avoid missing a hearing, which can lead to a default order or dismissal.
Online Document Images
Registered users on the MyFloridaCourtAccess portal can pay a small fee to view document images online. This service is helpful for people who live far from the courthouse or who need to check filings between court dates. The images are the same documents stored in the paper file.
Osceola County Court Records Image Gallery
The following images show the official Osceola County Clerk website and online search tools. These screenshots help users see exactly what the search pages look like before they start a record search.
Official Contact Details for Osceola County Family Court Records
Use the contact details below to reach the Osceola County Clerk for family court record searches, certified copies, and filing questions. The clerk’s office can answer questions about hours, fees, and how to start a search. Always have a case number or full legal name ready when you call.
Office: Office of Kelvin Soto, Esq., Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller
Address: 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741
General Phone: (407) 742-3500
Family Court Records Phone: (407) 742-3708
Website: osceolaclerk.org
Statewide Portal: myflcourtaccess.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on state holidays)
Frequently Asked Questions About Osceola County Family Court Records
The questions below cover the most common requests the clerk receives about family court records in Osceola County. Each answer points to the right tool, fee, or office to contact. If you have a question that is not listed here, call the clerk at (407) 742-3500 for help.
How do I find a divorce record in Osceola County?
You can search for an Osceola County divorce record for free on the clerk’s website at osceolaclerk.org or through the statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Enter the full legal name of either spouse or the case number if you have it. Results show the case type, filing date, and final judgment date. Certified copies of the divorce judgment can be ordered online, by mail, or in person at the clerk’s office in Kissimmee. A certified copy is required to remarry or to enforce the divorce in another state.
Are Osceola County adoption records public?
Most adoption records in Osceola County are sealed after the adoption is final. The adoptive parents and the adopted adult (after turning 18) can request a copy of the adoption decree from the clerk. Birth parents and adult adoptees can also file a petition with the court to open sealed adoption records under Florida law. The clerk cannot release sealed records without a court order.
Can I look up child custody orders online?
Yes. Most child custody orders in Osceola County are public and can be viewed through the online case search tools. You can see the case docket, the parenting plan, and the final judgment. Sensitive personal details like Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted under Florida law. If you need a full, unredacted copy, you must be a party to the case or have a court order.
How much does a certified copy of a family court order cost?
The certified copy fee is set by Florida statute and is the same in every county. The clerk’s website has the current fee schedule, and staff can quote the exact price over the phone. Payment can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the counter. Certified copies can also be ordered by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
How long does it take to get older family court records?
Family court cases filed in the last 10 years are usually available right away at the clerk’s office or online. Cases older than 10 years may be stored off-site and take 3 to 5 business days to pull. You can place an order in person, by phone, or by mail. A small retrieval fee applies, plus the standard copy fee per page.
What is the difference between a court record and an official record?
In Osceola County, court records are the files kept by the Clerk of Court, including dockets, motions, and judgments. Official records are filed with the Recording Division and include deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses. Family court cases go in the court records system, while marriage certificates and similar documents go in the official records system. Both are held by the same clerk office but use different search portals.
Can I seal or expunge a family court record?
Family court records such as divorce, custody, and paternity cases generally cannot be sealed or expunged under Florida law. Only criminal records can be expunged or sealed under specific conditions. You can, however, ask the court to seal specific documents within a family case if you can show a strong privacy interest. This requires filing a motion and getting a judge’s order.