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Orange County Divorce Records

What Are Orange County Divorce Records?

Orange County divorce records are official documents that provide information about divorce cases filed and processed in Orange County, Florida. These legal documents are maintained by the Orange County Clerk of Courts and contain details about the dissolution of marriage proceedings, including the parties involved, filing dates, judgments, and other relevant information.

Divorce records are part of the public court records system and serve as official documentation that a marriage has been legally terminated. These records are important for various purposes, including legal name changes, remarriage, property settlements, and updating personal records.

Are Orange County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in Orange County are generally considered public records under Florida's public records laws. This means that most divorce case information is accessible to anyone who requests it, with some exceptions.

However, certain sensitive information within divorce records may be redacted or restricted from public view, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Financial account numbers
  • Children's information
  • Victims of domestic violence information
  • Other confidential information as determined by court order

The Orange County Clerk of Courts maintains these records and makes them available through their office located at Clerk of Courts, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Orange County in 2025

To find a divorce record in Orange County in 2025, you have several options:

  1. Visit the Orange County Clerk of Courts in person at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
  2. Use the online records search portal
  3. Submit a written request by mail
  4. Contact the Florida Department of Health's Office of Vital Statistics at 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

For in-person requests, you'll need to:

  • Provide the names of the parties involved
  • Know the approximate date of the divorce
  • Present a valid photo ID
  • Pay any applicable fees for copies

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Orange County Online?

Looking up divorce records online in Orange County is straightforward through the Clerk of Courts' online portal:

  1. Visit the Orange County Clerk of Courts website at myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com
  2. Create an account or log in if you already have one
  3. Select "Court Records Search" from the available options
  4. Choose "Family Law" or "Divorce" as the case type
  5. Enter search criteria such as names of parties or case numbers
  6. Review the search results and select the record you need
  7. Pay any applicable fees for viewing or downloading documents

The online system provides access to basic case information for free, but there may be charges for viewing or downloading complete documents.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Orange County?

There are several ways to access basic divorce record information for free in Orange County:

  1. Use the public access computers at the Orange County Courthouse (425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801) to search the court records database
  2. Visit the Orange County Law Library (201 S. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801) where you can access legal resources and assistance
  3. Use the basic search function on the Clerk's website, which provides case numbers and filing dates at no cost
  4. Contact the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics for verification of divorce (fees may apply for certificates)

While basic information may be available for free, obtaining certified copies or complete case files typically involves fees.

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Orange County

Orange County divorce records typically include:

  • Petition for dissolution of marriage
  • Financial affidavits from both parties
  • Parenting plans (if children are involved)
  • Child support calculations
  • Property and debt division agreements
  • Settlement agreements
  • Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
  • Name change orders (if applicable)
  • Court orders related to the case
  • Transcripts of hearings (if requested and paid for)

The comprehensiveness of records varies by case, with contested divorces generally having more extensive documentation than uncontested ones.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Orange County?

To obtain proof of divorce in Orange County, you have two main options:

  1. Get a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage from the Orange County Clerk of Courts (425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801):

    • Visit in person with identification
    • Request online through the Clerk's website
    • Submit a written request by mail with payment
    • Fees are typically $1 per page plus $2 for certification
  2. Obtain a Certificate of Divorce from the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics (1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202):

    • Complete an application form
    • Provide identification
    • Pay the required fee (approximately $5-15)
    • Submit in person, by mail, or online

A certified copy of the final judgment provides detailed information, while a certificate of divorce is a shorter document confirming the divorce occurred.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Orange County?

While most divorce records in Orange County are public, there are ways to maintain some confidentiality:

  1. File for a sealed case: In exceptional circumstances, a judge may order divorce records sealed if there is a compelling reason, such as:

    • Protection from domestic violence
    • Sensitive business information
    • Children's protection
    • Other extraordinary circumstances
  2. Confidential information can be protected through:

    • Filing a Notice of Confidential Information to request certain information be redacted
    • Using only the last four digits of account numbers in filings
    • Referring to minors by initials only
    • Filing a motion to determine confidentiality of court records

To request confidentiality, consult with an attorney and file appropriate motions with the court at Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Orange County?

The duration of a divorce in Orange County varies based on several factors:

  1. Uncontested divorces (simplified dissolution):

    • As little as 30 days from filing to finalization
    • Both parties must agree on all terms
    • No minor children or financial disputes
  2. Regular uncontested divorces:

    • Typically 1-3 months
    • Requires filing more paperwork than simplified dissolution
    • Parties have reached agreement on all issues
  3. Contested divorces:

    • 6 months to over a year
    • Involves disputes over assets, child custody, or support
    • May require mediation, hearings, and possibly trial

Factors that can extend the timeline include:

  • Court backlog
  • Complexity of assets to divide
  • Child custody disputes
  • Discovery process length
  • Attorney scheduling conflicts

How Long Does Orange County Keep Divorce Records?

Orange County maintains divorce records indefinitely. As legal documents of significant importance, these records are preserved permanently in the county's record-keeping system. Over time, older records may be:

  • Digitized for electronic storage
  • Transferred to microfilm or other archival formats
  • Moved to off-site storage facilities

Even very old divorce records can still be retrieved, though records from many decades ago may take longer to access and might require special request procedures through the Orange County Clerk of Courts Records Management Department at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801.

How To Get a Divorce In Orange County

To get a divorce in Orange County, follow these steps:

  1. Determine eligibility:

    • Either spouse must have been a Florida resident for at least 6 months
    • Have proof of residency (Florida driver's license, voter registration, etc.)
  2. Choose the appropriate dissolution process:

    • Simplified dissolution (if you qualify)
    • Regular dissolution (contested or uncontested)
  3. Obtain and complete the necessary forms:

    • Available from the Clerk's office (425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801)
    • Available online through the Florida Courts website
    • Through an attorney
  4. File the petition and related documents with the Clerk of Courts

    • Pay filing fees (approximately $400-500)
    • Fee waivers available for those who qualify
  5. Serve papers to your spouse (unless filing jointly)

    • Through sheriff's office
    • Via private process server
    • By certified mail in some cases
  6. Complete mandatory financial disclosure

  7. Attend mediation if required

  8. Finalize through:

    • Written agreement and final hearing
    • Trial (for contested issues)

How To Get Divorce Papers In Orange County

Divorce papers for Orange County can be obtained through several methods:

  1. In person at the Orange County Clerk of Courts (425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801):

    • Visit the Family Law division
    • Request the appropriate packet based on your situation
    • Pay any applicable fees for the forms
  2. Online sources:

    • Orange County Clerk of Courts website
    • Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms website
    • Florida Courts Self-Help website
  3. Legal aid organizations:

    • Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association (100 E. Robinson Street, Orlando, FL 32801)
    • Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida (122 E. Colonial Drive, Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32801)
  4. Through an attorney:

    • Private attorneys can prepare and file all necessary paperwork
    • Many offer initial consultations to discuss your case

The specific forms needed depend on your circumstances, including whether you have children, shared assets, or are seeking alimony.

Lookup Divorce Records in Orange County

For convenient access to Orange County divorce records, you can use these official resources:

Orange County Clerk of Courts Records Search - Access the online portal to search for divorce and other court records in Orange County. This system allows you to search by name, case number, and other criteria.

My Orange Clerk Home - Family Division - Visit the Family Division page for information about divorce proceedings, requirements, and services available through the Orange County Clerk's office.

Records Management - Request Court Records - Learn how to formally request divorce records and other court documents, including instructions for in-person, mail, and online requests.