Pinellas County Divorce Records
What Are Pinellas County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Pinellas County are official documents that provide legal evidence of the dissolution of a marriage. These records are maintained by the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.222, which designates the Clerk as the official custodian of court records. Divorce records, legally referred to as "dissolution of marriage" documents in Florida, contain the final judgment and other pertinent information regarding the termination of a marital union.
The Family Division of the Circuit Court processes these records as part of its jurisdiction over family actions. These documents become part of the Official Records of Pinellas County once the divorce is finalized and the judgment is recorded. The records typically include case numbers, filing dates, and the names of parties involved in the dissolution proceedings.
Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
315 Court Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-7000
Pinellas County Clerk
Are Pinellas County Divorce Records Public?
Yes, divorce records in Pinellas County are considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This legislation, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," establishes that most government records, including court documents, are accessible to the public.
Members of the public may access divorce records through the Clerk's office or via online platforms maintained by the Clerk. However, certain information within these records may be exempt from public disclosure pursuant to Florida Judicial Administration Rule 2.420, which governs the sealing of court records. Such exemptions typically include:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Credit card numbers
- Information related to minor children
- Certain medical information
The Pinellas County public records system operates under the principle that government records should be accessible to citizens, while balancing privacy concerns for sensitive information. Under Florida law, email addresses included in these records are also considered public records.
How To Find a Divorce Record In Pinellas County in 2025
Individuals seeking divorce records in Pinellas County in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate these documents. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains these records and provides multiple avenues for access:
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Visit the Clerk's office in person at one of the following locations:
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Downtown Clearwater Courthouse
315 Court Street, Room 170
Clearwater, FL 33756
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. -
St. Petersburg Branch Office
545 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Submit a written request by mail to the Clerk's office, including the names of the parties involved and the approximate date of the divorce.
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Access the online records system maintained by the Clerk's office.
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Contact the Records Department by telephone at (727) 464-7000 for assistance with locating specific records.
When requesting records, individuals must provide sufficient information to identify the specific case, including the names of both parties and, if possible, the case number or year of filing.
How To Look Up Divorce Records in Pinellas County Online?
The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller offers comprehensive online access to divorce records through its electronic records system. To access these records online, members of the public may follow these steps:
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Visit the View Records section of the Clerk's official website.
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Select "Court Records" from the available options.
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Create a user account if required, or proceed as a guest user for basic searches.
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Enter search criteria such as:
- Party names (last name, first name)
- Case number (if known)
- Date range of filing
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Review the search results and select the relevant case to view available documents.
The online system provides access to non-confidential documents filed after a certain date. Older records may have limited online availability and might require an in-person visit to the Clerk's office. Pursuant to Florida Judicial Administration Rule 2.420, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect privacy.
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Pinellas County?
Pinellas County residents and other interested parties may access basic divorce record information at no cost through several channels:
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The Clerk's public access terminal is available at no charge at the courthouse locations. These terminals provide free access to view non-confidential court records.
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Basic case information is available through the online public records search on the Clerk's website without requiring payment.
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The Florida Department of Health provides verification of divorce for a specific dissolution of marriage at no cost.
While basic record viewing is free, fees apply for obtaining certified copies or printed documents. Current fee schedules include:
- Certified copies: $2.00 per page (plus $1.00 for certification)
- Uncertified copies: $1.00 per page
- Research fees: $2.00 per name per year searched (if staff assistance is required)
These fees are established pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24, which outlines the service charges for services rendered by the Clerk's office.
What's Included in a Divorce Records In Pinellas County
Divorce records in Pinellas County contain several key documents and information related to the dissolution of marriage. The Family Court division maintains these records, which typically include:
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Petition for Dissolution of Marriage - The initial filing that begins the divorce process.
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Financial Affidavits - Sworn statements detailing each party's financial situation.
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Marital Settlement Agreement - If applicable, the agreement outlining division of assets and liabilities.
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Parenting Plan - For cases involving minor children, detailing custody arrangements and parental responsibilities.
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Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage - The official court order terminating the marriage and addressing:
- Division of marital property and debts
- Alimony determinations, if applicable
- Child support obligations
- Child custody and visitation arrangements
- Name change authorizations, if requested
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Certificate of Dissolution - The official document confirming the divorce has been finalized.
These records are maintained by the Recording Services department of the Clerk's office and become part of the Official Records of Pinellas County.
How To Get Proof of Divorce In Pinellas County?
Individuals requiring proof of divorce in Pinellas County may obtain official documentation through established procedures. The most commonly accepted proof of divorce is a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. To obtain this document:
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Visit the Clerk's office in person at: Pinellas County Courthouse
315 Court Street, Room 170
Clearwater, FL 33756
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. -
Submit a written request by mail to the above address, including:
- Full names of both parties
- Date of divorce (approximate if exact date unknown)
- Case number (if known)
- Return address
- Payment for applicable fees
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Request a Certificate of Divorce from the Florida Department of Health, which provides verification of the divorce but not the actual judgment.
The fee for a certified copy of the Final Judgment is $2.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee. Payment may be made by cash, credit card, or money order made payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court." Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24, these fees are established for services rendered by the Clerk's office.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Pinellas County?
While most divorce records in Pinellas County are public, certain circumstances allow for confidentiality. Florida Judicial Administration Rule 2.420 establishes procedures for sealing court records, including divorce proceedings. Confidentiality may be granted in the following situations:
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Cases involving domestic violence where disclosure would endanger a party.
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Matters involving minor children where public access would be detrimental to the child's welfare.
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Instances where trade secrets, financial information, or other statutorily protected information would be exposed.
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Situations where a compelling interest outweighs the public's right to access.
To request confidentiality, parties must file a motion to seal with the court demonstrating grounds for confidentiality pursuant to Rule 2.420. The court will determine whether the request meets legal standards for sealing records. Even when records are sealed, certain information remains accessible to authorized individuals, including the parties involved and their legal representatives.
The Pinellas County Clerk's office can provide guidance on the process for requesting confidentiality of divorce records.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In Pinellas County?
The duration of divorce proceedings in Pinellas County varies based on several factors. The Family Court division processes these cases according to established timelines and procedures:
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Uncontested divorces (where both parties agree on all issues):
- Minimum waiting period: 20 days after filing
- Typical completion time: 4-6 weeks from filing to final judgment
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Contested divorces (where parties disagree on one or more issues):
- Duration: 3 months to over a year, depending on complexity
- Factors affecting timeline include:
- Property division disputes
- Child custody disagreements
- Alimony considerations
- Court calendar congestion
- Discovery process length
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Simplified dissolution of marriage (for qualifying couples):
- Fastest option: approximately 30 days
- Requirements include:
- No minor children
- No pregnancy
- Agreement on property division
- No alimony requests
Florida law requires a minimum 20-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized, even in uncontested cases. This period allows for reflection and potential reconciliation. The court may waive this requirement in cases of extreme hardship or extraordinary circumstances.
How Long Does Pinellas County Keep Divorce Records?
Pinellas County maintains divorce records permanently as part of its official court records. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the custodian of these records pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.222, which mandates the preservation of court records. The retention schedule for these documents includes:
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Final Judgments of Dissolution of Marriage: Permanently retained in the Official Records of Pinellas County.
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Case files and supporting documentation: Maintained according to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, with most documents kept permanently.
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Electronic records: Preserved in digital format with appropriate backup systems to ensure long-term accessibility.
The permanent retention of divorce records serves several important purposes:
- Providing legal proof of marital status
- Establishing precedent for future legal matters
- Preserving historical and genealogical information
- Facilitating property rights determinations
While the physical storage methods may change over time, with older records potentially being digitized or microfilmed, the information contained in divorce records remains accessible indefinitely through the Clerk's office.
How To Get a Divorce In Pinellas County
Individuals seeking to dissolve a marriage in Pinellas County must follow specific procedures established by Florida law. The process begins with the Family Court division and includes these steps:
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Establish residency requirement:
- At least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for six months prior to filing.
- Proof of residency (Florida driver's license, voter registration, etc.) must be provided.
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Select the appropriate dissolution process:
- Regular Dissolution of Marriage
- Simplified Dissolution of Marriage (for qualifying couples)
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Complete and file required forms with the Clerk's office at: Pinellas County Courthouse
315 Court Street, Room 170
Clearwater, FL 33756 -
Pay the filing fee (approximately $408 for dissolution of marriage).
- Fee waivers may be available for those who qualify based on financial hardship.
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Serve the petition to the other spouse (unless filing jointly).
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Attend mandatory parenting classes if minor children are involved.
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Complete financial disclosure requirements.
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Negotiate settlement or prepare for court hearings.
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Attend final hearing to obtain judgment.
The Clerk's office provides forms and information but cannot offer legal advice. Parties may wish to consult with an attorney or utilize self-help resources available through the court system.
How To Get Divorce Papers In Pinellas County
Divorce papers, officially known as dissolution of marriage forms, are available through multiple channels in Pinellas County. These documents constitute the legal paperwork necessary to initiate and complete the divorce process. To obtain these forms:
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Visit the Civil & Family division of the Clerk's office in person: Pinellas County Courthouse
315 Court Street, Room 170
Clearwater, FL 33756
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. -
Access forms online through the Clerk's official website.
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Visit the Self-Help Center located at: Pinellas County Courthouse
315 Court Street, Room 170
Clearwater, FL 33756
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
The basic forms required for filing include:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Financial Affidavit
- Notice of Social Security Number
- Marital Settlement Agreement (if applicable)
- Parenting Plan (if children are involved)
Additional forms may be required depending on the specific circumstances of the case. The Clerk's office provides these forms at a nominal cost, or they can be downloaded from the Florida Courts website. Staff cannot provide legal advice but can offer procedural information regarding form completion and filing requirements.