Records of divorce in Pinellas County, Florida, are public documents accessible in several ways. PinellasCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorce records in the county. Additionally, court cases are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and divorce certificates are issued by the Florida Department of Health through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Requests can also be made in person at the court office or online through the official record search portal.
Pinellas Divorce Records Search
In Florida, divorce is officially called "dissolution of marriage." All divorce cases filed in Pinellas County are handled by the Family Division of the Circuit Court. The office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains the complete court file of each case—from the initial petition to the final court decision.
The collection of records includes:
- Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
- Settlement agreements
- Orders regarding child custody and support
- Interim orders and motions of the parties
Separately, the Florida Department of Health maintains a registry of divorce certificates starting from June 6, 1927. The certificate confirms the fact of divorce but does not contain case details.
Online case search is available through the record viewing portal of the office. Note: Florida law limits the amount of information that offices can publish on their websites, so obtaining full copies of documents may require a personal visit or written request.
Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court — Civil & Family Division
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Pinellas
Divorce cases in Pinellas County are filed with the Circuit Court, which is the court of general jurisdiction in Florida. Specifically, they are handled by the Family Division—this division addresses issues of dissolution of marriage, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence.
Once the judge makes a final decision, the original remains in the case file at the office. The Clerk of the Circuit Court retains this document indefinitely. If you need a copy of the court decision with all the details, contact the court office.
Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Health receives notification from the court about each divorce and registers a certificate. This document is useful when it is sufficient to confirm the fact and date of divorce—for example, for remarriage or changing documents. The Department of Health does not issue the full court decision.
Where to Contact Depending on the Need
| What You Need | Where to Contact | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court decision, property settlement agreements, custody orders | Pinellas County Clerk — Civil & Family | 315 Court St., Room 170 |
| Divorce certificate (confirmation of fact) | Florida Department of Health — Bureau of Vital Statistics | P.O. Box 210 |
For general case information search, you can also use PinellasCourt.us.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Pinellas
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online case search (Public Access Records Search) | Free | Instant |
| Copy of court document (uncertified) | $1.00 per page | 1–3 business days |
| Certified copy of court document | $2.00 per page (minimum one page certification) | 1–5 business days |
| Divorce certificate from Florida Department of Health | $5.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Search in Vital Statistics registry (per name/year) | $5.00 | 2–4 weeks |