Pinellas County, Florida Divorce Records
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Pinellas County divorce records serve as official documentation of marital dissolution. Such documents may contain information on alimony, child support, child custody, the divorce decree, petitions, financial affidavits, etc. They may also provide details of the divorced couple, their post-divorce agreements, and other matters relating to the union, such as the children's welfare.
In Pinellas County, divorce records are generally filed at the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's office and are maintained by the Circuit Court. This court has a Family Division where all divorce cases are handled.
Note: In 2025, Florida had a divorce rate of 3 per 1,000 people, per CDC data.
Are Divorce Records Public in Pinellas County?
Yes. Most Pinellas County divorce records are publicly accessible documents according to Florida's Sunshine Law (Florida Public Records Act). The Circuit Court maintains these records through the Family Division, where divorces are filed. Requesters may access divorce records through this court using in-person or mail-in requests. Residents may approach the Clerk of the Circuit Court to request divorce records that contain publicly accessible information.
However, personal or sensitive information such as financial details like income and account numbers, victim details for minors or domestic violence, or social security numbers is typically restricted from public access.
How to Find Divorce Records in Pinellas County
Pinellas County divorce records may be obtained through the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Requesters may approach this court to submit records requests in person or via mail. A Pinellas County court divorce search is available online through the County Clerk's View Records portal. This online search platform provides access to all Pinellas County court records, including divorce records, and the public may also order copies online.
In-person Access
- Go to the Circuit Court or County Clerk's office to submit your records request.
- Pay any required fees.
- Attach or provide details about the divorce case, such as the parties' names.
- After submitting the request, it is usually processed on-site
- The clerk will look up divorce records in Pinellas County, using the details provided
- If the requester qualifies to access them, he may be allowed to view or make copies of them
Online Access
This will require a mobile device or computer and a good internet connection.
- Load the Clerk of Circuit Court's website and look for the View Records link.
- Click the link to access a records page offering Public View access to view the records online, or use the order copies online link to obtain them.
- If you are registered or an attorney, you may log in to view more documents based on your allowed permissions.
- No login is required to access this website's services.
Mail-in Access
- Prepare your records request in the required format and attach relevant documents like evidence of payment of fees.
- Seal the request and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for easy reply.
- Proceed to the nearest mail office to send the request to the County Clerk's office or the Circuit Court.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Public Access Portal | Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court's website | Basic information, like the names of parties or the case number | Free to view | Instant access |
| Online Access - Registered or Attorney Account | Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court's website | Your registration details, credentials such as a valid ID, and basic information about the case. | Free registration and viewing, obtaining copies may attract fees | Account activation may take days, after which there is instant access |
| In-person | Clearwater Courthouse or branches in the Justice Center and St. Pete | Parties' names, case number, or date | Fees for copies apply as directed by the Clerk's schedule | Immediate access based on the records retrieval time |
| Mail-in or Walk-in | Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | Names, County, or date | $15 plus $7 processing | 60 days for processing and forwarding |
Overview of the Pinellas County Court System
Divorce cases are generally family law matters. Pinellas County family law cases are handled at the Family Law Division of the Circuit Court. This court has jurisdiction over domestic issues relating to alimony, child support, child custody, and marriage. Pinellas County family court divorce filings are done at the County Clerk of Court and Comptroller's office. This office has the administrative function of storing and managing court records. There are several clerk's office locations for accessing Pinellas County Circuit Court records, with the primary courthouse being the Clearwater Courthouse. Other branches include the St. Petersburg Judicial Building, which serves residents in the county's south.
Clearwater Courthouse
315 Court Street, P.O. Box 2269 33757-2269
Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-3000 - Phone
St. Petersburg Judicial Building
545 1st Avenue North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
(727) 582-7200 - Phone
Pinellas County Justice Center
14250 49th Street North
Clearwater, Florida 33762
(727) 464-7000 - Phone
Online Access to Pinellas County Divorce Records
Pinellas County divorce records may be viewed and obtained online through the County Clerk of the Circuit Court's website. This office maintains the View Records website, which provides access to online viewing and requests. The public may view court records through this site as a registered or non-registered user. To view as a non-registered user, click on View Records and select the Court Records Public View link.
This website allows you to look up free online divorce records in Pinellas County. These records may be ordered online through the Florida Department of Health's Divorce website. Requesters may also find Pinellas County divorce records online through third-party websites. These websites are easy to access and are mainly free to use. The public may generally access files through third-party websites, while sealed information remains inaccessible. Third-party websites are also not as accurate as official sources.
What's Typically Included in a Pinellas County Divorce Record
Pinellas County divorce records generally contain details of the decree and matters related to the couple. They include case number, filing date, parties' names, child support, property sharing, spousal support agreement, and more. These records are generally publicly accessible, which means there is restricted information. These restrictions protect the privacy or personal safety of record registrants. Such restrictions include sensitive information like tax records, adoption details, cases with claims of abuse, bank account numbers, financial affidavits, and more.
| Pinellas County Divorce Record Information | Available to the Public |
|---|---|
| Case number | Yes |
| Filing date | Yes |
| Names of parties | Yes |
| Court location | Yes |
| Judge's name | Yes |
| Divorce decree or final judgment | Yes |
| Attorneys on record | Yes |
| Financial affidavits | Sealed |
| Child visitation and custody | Sealed |
| Adoption-related records | Sealed |
| Victim information in cases of minors or domestic abuse | Sealed |
How to Get Certified Copies of Pinellas County Divorce Records
Certified divorce records are official documents issued by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics or the Clerk of the Court, which are stamped and sealed. These types of records are useful for legal purposes, unlike informational copies, which are not certified and have no official seal or authentication. Informational copies are generally not useful for legal purposes but may be used for personal reference or general information. The public may obtain certified divorce decrees in Pinellas County through the Clerk of the Court's office. Requesters may also get official divorce record copies through the Bureau of Vital Statistics, which handles vital records. Unlike the Clerk of the Court, who provides case-specific details such as the parties' names, date of the divorce, and final decree, the Bureau of Statistics provides access to certified divorce certificates.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who may Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Remarriage, legal disputes, name change, court filings, immigration | Parties to the case, their representatives, or anyone authorized by the court | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Background research, genealogy, and personal records | The public | No |
Why People Request Pinellas County Divorce Records
The county residents may use divorce records for various purposes, ranging from official uses to personal purposes. Here are some reasons to request divorce records in Pinellas County:
- For remarriage
- For name changes
- To show marital history for immigration applications
- For passport applications
- For social security benefits
- To prevent fraud
- To enforce alimony
- For insurance claims
Pinellas County Divorce Records Summary
Close the article with a table that provides all the available options for the county. Use the format below.
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller | Divorce case files, final judgment, docket entries | Online (public access portal and registered user or attorney portal), in-person access at the office, and mail-in access | Online viewing is free Copies are available for $1 per page for informational copies and $2 per page for certified copies. Certified final judgment costs $10 plus copy fees |
| Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | Divorce Certificate | Online order In-person By mail | $15 search fee and $7 processing fee $4 for each additional copy $2 search fee for extra years if the exact date is not provided |
| Third-Party websites | Informational or uncertified copies | Online access | Fees vary according to the website |