Marion County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Marion County in 2026
MarionFLRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Marion County, Florida. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final judgments, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage petitions, final decrees, parenting plans, marital settlement agreements, and post-judgment modification orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records in Marion County.
Multiple Search Methods:
Online Searches:
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Marion County Clerk of Courts maintains an online case search portal where members of the public may search dissolution of marriage cases by party name or case number at no charge for basic case information. Copies of documents may require payment of applicable fees.
- Marion County Clerk of Courts Online Case Search
- Most common method for locating active and recent cases
- Free basic case information
- Document copies may require a fee
2. State Court System Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal allows parties and members of the public to search court records across Florida jurisdictions through a consolidated statewide database.
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
- Search across multiple Florida counties
- Consolidated statewide database
3. State Vital Records
The Florida Department of Health maintains divorce or annulment certificates for dissolutions of marriage recorded by the clerk of court from June 6, 1927, to the present. These certificates provide summary-level information and are distinct from full court case files.
- Available through the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
- Divorce certificates available for a fee
- Limited information compared to full court records
In-Person Searches:
Clerk of Court Family Division:
Marion County Clerk of Courts – Family Division
110 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 200
Ocala, FL 34475
Phone: (352) 671-5604
Marion County Clerk of Courts
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Services available:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final judgments and decrees
- Staff assistance for locating records
Records Department:
The Clerk's Records Department handles requests for historical and archived dissolution of marriage cases, including cases that predate electronic filing. Certified copy requests for older records may require additional processing time.
By Mail:
Written Request:
- Mail to: Marion County Clerk of Courts, 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475
- Include the following:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request (if required)
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, subject to volume and record availability
By Phone:
Limited Information:
- Clerk of Court: (352) 671-5604
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number
- Case status
- Filing date
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys:
Members of the public involved in complex dissolution matters may retain legal counsel to access court records, including documents that may require a formal motion to unseal. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service connects individuals with licensed Florida attorneys who handle family law matters.
Information Needed for Search:
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Marion County
- Names of minor children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County:
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Florida are filed in the circuit court of the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. Under Florida Statutes § 61.021, at least one party must have resided in Florida for six months prior to filing. The divorce is filed in the county of that party's residence, not necessarily the county where the marriage occurred.
Time Considerations:
- Recent divorces may not appear in the online system immediately following the final hearing; allow several business days to weeks for processing
- Older divorces, particularly those predating electronic filing, may be archived and require a special retrieval request
- Archived paper records may not be digitized and may require additional time for retrieval
What If You Cannot Find a Record:
- Verify the correct county of filing
- Attempt alternate name spellings, including maiden names
- Search under both spouses' names
- Check the Florida Department of Health's vital records divorce certificate database
- Contact the Clerk's office directly at (352) 671-5604
- Consult a licensed Florida family law attorney for complex searches
What Are Marion County Divorce Records?
Marion County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court. These records are maintained by the Marion County Clerk of Courts as part of the family law case file and constitute public records subject to Florida's public records laws.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to petition
- Financial affidavits (short form and long form)
- Parenting plans
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, notices, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Final Decree:
The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes:
- The legal date of dissolution
- Division of marital assets and liabilities
- Alimony or spousal support provisions, if any
- Parental responsibility and timesharing arrangements, if applicable
- Child support orders, if applicable
- Restoration of former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final judgment are available through the Clerk of Courts upon payment of applicable fees.
Supporting Documents:
- Marriage certificate (submitted as exhibit)
- Financial disclosure documents
- Real and personal property inventories
- Parenting plan attachments
- Post-judgment modification orders
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Legal Purposes:
- Proof of marital status for remarriage
- Name change documentation
- Property transfer and title purposes
- Estate planning and probate proceedings
- Immigration and naturalization proceedings
- Social Security benefit determinations
Personal Purposes:
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal records verification
- Confirmation of divorce terms and obligations
Legal Framework:
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Florida are governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 61, which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for dissolution of marriage. Florida is a no-fault divorce state; under § 61.052, the sole ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Public access to court records is governed by Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution and Florida Statutes § 119.01, which establishes the presumption that all state, county, and municipal records are open for public inspection.
Are Marion County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records in Marion County are public court records subject to Florida's broad public records laws. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or purpose. However, certain categories of information within dissolution of marriage files are subject to restriction or redaction under Florida law and court rules.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted pursuant to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425)
- Bank account numbers (redacted)
- Credit card and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal or with restricted access)
Children's Information:
- Residential addresses of minor children
- Schools attended by minor children
- Medical and psychological information concerning minor children
- Child custody evaluations (may be sealed by court order)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses and contact information in cases involving domestic violence
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Sealed Records:
A court may seal dissolution of marriage records upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation records are confidential under Florida Statutes § 44.405 and are not part of the public court record.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requestor | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents and docket entries |
| Parties to the case | Full access to own case file |
| Licensed attorneys | Case files; may petition for sealed records |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; court permission required for sealed records |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to restricted records |
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or in violation of any protective order issued by the court.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Marion County?
The Marion County Clerk of Courts charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of dissolution of marriage records. Current fees are established pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24, which governs clerk service charges statewide.
Current Fee Schedule:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copies (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copies (per document) | $1.00 per page + $2.00 certification fee |
| Exemplified/authenticated copies | $2.00 per page + additional authentication fee |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Fees may vary |
| Record search (when applicable) | No separate search fee for standard requests |
Additional Fee Information:
- Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge
- Copies obtained through the online case search portal may be subject to separate electronic access fees
- Divorce certificates obtained through the Florida Department of Health carry a separate fee schedule; the current fee for a divorce certificate is $5.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Payment methods accepted at the Clerk's office include cash, check, money order, and major credit cards
- Mail requests must include a check or money order payable to the Marion County Clerk of Courts
- Fee waivers are not available for standard public records copy requests; however, indigent parties to an active case may petition the court for waiver of certain filing fees under Florida law
What Is Available at No Charge:
- In-person inspection of public court records at the Clerk's office
- Basic case information through the online case search portal
- Docket entries and case status information
What's Included in Divorce Records in Marion County
A dissolution of marriage case file maintained by the Marion County Clerk of Courts is a comprehensive collection of documents generated from the initial filing through final judgment and any post-judgment proceedings. The contents of any individual case file vary depending on whether the dissolution was contested or uncontested, whether minor children were involved, and the complexity of the marital estate.
Basic Case Information:
- Case number, court division, and assigned judge
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Names and contact information of attorneys of record
- Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis
Initial Pleadings:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage, including marriage date and location, grounds for dissolution, identification of minor children, property claims, and relief requested
- Summons and proof of service
- Response or answer, including any counterpetition filed by the respondent
- Financial affidavits (short form for cases with limited assets; long form for cases involving significant assets or support disputes), disclosing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities of both parties
Discovery Documents:
- Interrogatories and answers under oath
- Requests for production and responsive documents
- Depositions (transcripts, if filed)
- Financial records including tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment and retirement account statements, and business financial records
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory listing real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property with estimated values
- Debt inventory listing mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card balances, and other liabilities
- Real property appraisals and business valuations
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan establishing legal custody (parental responsibility), physical custody (primary residence), and timesharing schedule including regular, holiday, summer, and vacation provisions
- Child support guidelines worksheet reflecting income of both parties, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare costs
- Child support order specifying amount, payment method, and schedule
- Custody evaluations and home studies, if ordered by the court
- Guardian ad litem reports, if a guardian was appointed
Support Documents:
- Alimony or spousal support provisions specifying type (temporary, rehabilitative, bridge-the-gap, durational, or permanent), amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Income and standard-of-living analysis supporting support determinations
Settlement Documents:
- Marital settlement agreement comprehensively resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
- Mediation agreement, if the parties participated in mediation (note: mediation communications are confidential; only the resulting agreement, if incorporated into the court record, is public)
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders addressing custody, support, use of property, and injunctions pending final hearing
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage, including findings of fact, conclusions of law, equitable distribution of assets and debts, support orders, parenting provisions, name restoration, and the judge's signature and seal
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), if retirement accounts were divided
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
- Petitions to modify custody, timesharing, or support
- Court orders on modification petitions
- Contempt motions and enforcement orders
- Income deduction orders and liens
What Is Typically Confidential or Redacted:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted per court rule)
- Residential addresses and schools of minor children
- Mental health evaluations and substance abuse records
- Domestic violence details in cases with protective measures
- Mediation communications
- Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Marion County?
Proof of divorce in Marion County may be obtained in the form of a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage or a Florida divorce certificate issued by the Florida Department of Health. The appropriate document depends on the purpose for which proof is required.
Certified Copy of Final Judgment:
A certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the most comprehensive form of proof and is accepted for legal, property, immigration, and name change purposes.
- In person: Members of the public may request a certified copy at the Marion County Clerk of Courts, 110 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 200, Ocala, FL 34475, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). The case number or names of both parties are required.
- By mail: Written requests with the required identifying information, applicable fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope may be mailed to the Clerk at the address above.
- Online: Certified copies may be requested through the Marion County Clerk of Courts online portal.
Florida Divorce Certificate:
The Florida Department of Health issues divorce or annulment certificates for dissolutions of marriage recorded by the clerk of court from June 6, 1927, to the present. These certificates provide summary information and are suitable for purposes such as genealogical research or confirming marital status. Requests may be submitted to:
Florida Department of Health – Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Florida Department of Health – Vital Statistics
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County also assists residents with certificate requests and public records inquiries.
Florida Department of Health in Marion County
1801 SE 32nd Avenue
Ocala, FL 34471
Phone: (352) 629-0137
Florida Department of Health in Marion County
For divorces granted prior to June 6, 1927, records are obtainable only from the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Marion County?
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Marion County are presumptively public under Florida law; however, specific records or entire case files may be made confidential under limited circumstances.
- Court-ordered sealing: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of a dissolution of marriage file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public's right of access against the privacy interests of the parties or minor children.
- Domestic violence cases: Records containing the address or location of a domestic violence victim are protected from public disclosure under Florida law.
- Children's information: Pursuant to Florida court rules, the residential addresses of minor children, school information, and psychological evaluations are subject to restricted access.
- Mediation records: All mediation communications are confidential and exempt from public records disclosure under Florida Statutes § 44.405. Only a mediation agreement that is incorporated into a court order becomes part of the public record.
- Financial account information: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar identifiers are redacted from all publicly accessible court documents pursuant to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425.
- Sealed by agreement: Confidential settlement terms that are not incorporated into a court order do not become part of the public record.
Members of the public who believe a record has been improperly withheld may seek review through the circuit court or contact the Florida Attorney General's Office of Open Government.
How Long Does Marion County Keep Divorce Records?
The Marion County Clerk of Courts retains dissolution of marriage records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Florida Division of Library and Information Services and applicable Florida law.
- Final judgments of dissolution of marriage: Retained permanently. Final judgments are never destroyed and remain accessible indefinitely.
- Complete case files (contested dissolutions): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, after which non-permanent documents may be eligible for disposition per the Florida General Records Schedule GS1-SB.
- Uncontested dissolution case files: Retained for a minimum of 5 years following the close of the case under applicable retention schedules.
- Cases involving minor children: Case files in which parental responsibility, timesharing, or child support orders were entered are retained for a minimum of 10 years following the date the youngest child reaches the age of majority (18 years).
- Post-judgment modification and enforcement records: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same retention period as the underlying dissolution case.
- Archived records: Cases that have exceeded their active retention period may be transferred to archival storage. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and a written request to the Clerk's office.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal are maintained in the court's electronic case management system and are subject to the same retention schedules as paper records.
Members of the public seeking records from cases that may have been archived should contact the Marion County Clerk of Courts directly at (352) 671-5604 to confirm availability and request retrieval.