Pinellas County Divorce Records

What Are Pinellas County Divorce Records?

Pinellas County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of a marriage dissolution in Pinellas County, Florida. These records are maintained by the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller and contain information about divorce proceedings, including the final judgment of dissolution of marriage.

These records serve as official documentation that a marriage has been legally terminated through the court system. They include various documents filed during the divorce process, from the initial petition to the final decree.

Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

Are Pinellas County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in Pinellas County are generally considered public records under Florida's public records laws. This means that most divorce case information can be accessed by anyone who requests it.

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

• Social Security numbers
• Bank account information
• Children's information
• Victims of domestic violence information (if a protective order exists)

Florida law allows for certain divorce records to be sealed under specific circumstances, but the standard is that these records remain accessible to the public.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Pinellas County in 2025

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

1. Visit the Pinellas County Clerk's office in person: Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

2. Use the Clerk's online records search system through the official website.

3. Submit a written request by mail to: Records Department, Pinellas County Clerk of Court, 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

4. Request certified copies of divorce records from the Florida Department of Health: Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042

When searching for records, you'll need basic information such as:

• Full names of both parties
• Approximate date of divorce
• Case number (if known)

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Pinellas County Online?

Looking up divorce records online in Pinellas County is straightforward:

1. Visit the Pinellas County Clerk's official website at mypinellasclerk.gov.
2. Navigate to the "View Records" section.
3. Select "Court Records" or "Official Records" search.
4. Create a free account if required.
5. Enter search criteria such as names of the parties involved or case number.
6. Review the search results and select the relevant case.

The online system provides access to most public divorce records, though some documents may only be available in person. For complete case files, you might need to visit the clerk's office.

Online access: https://www.mypinellasclerk.gov/Home/View-Records

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Pinellas County?

You can access Pinellas County divorce records for free through several methods:

1. Use the Pinellas County Clerk's online records search system, which provides free access to basic case information.

2. Visit the Pinellas County Clerk's office in person to view records: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

3. Use public access terminals at the courthouse to search for records without fees.

4. Visit the Pinellas County Law Library: Pinellas County Justice Center, 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762

While viewing records is typically free, obtaining certified copies will incur fees (usually $1 per page plus certification fees).

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Pinellas County

Pinellas County divorce records typically include:

1. Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
2. Financial affidavits from both parties
3. Marital settlement agreement (if applicable)
4. Parenting plan (if children are involved)
5. Child support worksheets and orders
6. Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
7. Property division agreements
8. Court orders related to the case
9. Transcripts of hearings (if requested)
10. Name change documentation (if applicable)

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 Pinellas County?

To obtain proof of divorce in Pinellas County:

1. Request a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage from the Pinellas County Clerk of Court: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

2. Order a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage from the Florida Department of Health: Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042

For the clerk's office, you'll need:

• Names of both parties
• Date of divorce (approximate)
• Case number (if known)
• Valid photo ID
• Payment for certification fees

Certified copies cost approximately $15 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Pinellas County?

While most divorce records in Pinellas County are public, there are limited circumstances where records may be made confidential:

1. Cases involving domestic violence where a protective order exists
2. When the court determines that publication would cause harm
3. Cases involving minors where sensitive information needs protection
4. By mutual agreement of both parties with court approval (though this is rare)

To request confidentiality:

1. File a motion to seal records with the court
2. Demonstrate compelling reasons for confidentiality
3. Attend a hearing where a judge will determine if sealing is warranted

Even when granted, confidentiality is typically limited to specific sensitive documents rather than the entire case file.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Pinellas County?

The timeline for a divorce in Pinellas County varies based on several factors:

1. Uncontested divorces (where both parties agree on all terms):

   • Typically 4-6 weeks from filing to finalization
   • Requires a 20-day waiting period after filing

2. Contested divorces (where disagreements exist):

   • Can take 6 months to over a year
   • May involve multiple hearings, mediation, and potentially a trial

3. Simplified dissolution (for couples with no children and limited assets):

   • Often completed in 30 days
   • Requires both parties to attend the final hearing

Factors that can extend the timeline include:

• Child custody disputes
• Complex asset division
• High-conflict situations
• Court calendar congestion
• Discovery delays

How Long Does Pinellas County Keep Divorce Records?

Pinellas County maintains divorce records permanently. As official court records, divorce documents are preserved indefinitely in the county's record-keeping system.

Physical records may eventually be archived, but digital copies remain accessible through the clerk's office. The Florida Department of Health also maintains a permanent index of all divorces granted in the state.

This permanent retention ensures that proof of divorce remains available regardless of how much time has passed since the dissolution of marriage.

How To Get a Divorce In Pinellas County

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

1. Ensure eligibility: Either you or your spouse must have been a Florida resident for at least 6 months.

2. Choose the appropriate dissolution process:

   • Regular Dissolution of Marriage
   • Simplified Dissolution of Marriage (if you qualify)

3. Complete and file the required forms with the Pinellas County Clerk of Court: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

4. Pay the filing fee (approximately $408, with fee waivers available for those who qualify).

5. Serve papers to your spouse (unless filing jointly).

6. Attend mediation if required (mandatory for contested issues involving children).

7. Complete financial disclosure requirements.

8. Attend all required hearings.

9. Obtain the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.

Legal assistance is available through: Pinellas County Legal Aid, 501 1st Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

How To Get Divorce Papers In Pinellas County

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

1. Download forms from the Florida Courts website (flcourts.org).

2. Visit the Pinellas County Clerk's office in person: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 or 545 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

3. Use the Clerk's self-help center: Pinellas County Justice Center, 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762

4. Consult with an attorney who can prepare and file the appropriate documents.

5. Use Florida's Self-Help Center online resources.

The basic forms needed include:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
• Financial Affidavit
• Notice of Social Security Number
• Marital Settlement Agreement (if applicable)
• Parenting Plan (if children are involved)

Lookup Divorce Records in Pinellas County

For convenient access to Pinellas County divorce records, use these official resources:

• View Records through the Pinellas County Clerk - Search court and official records maintained by the Pinellas County Clerk.

• Marriage & Divorce Records Information - Access details about marriage and divorce records in Pinellas County.

• Family Court Services - Learn about family court services, including divorce proceedings and related records.

• Pinellas County Clerk's Official Website - The main portal for all Pinellas County Clerk services and record access.

• Florida Department of Health Divorce Certificates - Order official dissolution of marriage certificates from the state.