Divorce records in Charlotte County, Florida, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, the court that issued the decree, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the state vital records office. CharlotteCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Charlotte County. You can also contact the Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court directly, search through the Florida Courts system, or request dissolution of marriage certificates from the Florida Department of Health.
Charlotte County Divorce Records Search
In Florida, divorce cases are called "dissolution of marriage" proceedings. Charlotte County divorce records are maintained by two separate entities: the Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains the complete case file for every divorce finalized in Charlotte County. These files typically include:
- Final judgments of dissolution of marriage (divorce decrees)
- Marital settlement agreements
- Parenting plans and custody orders
- Property division orders
- Petitions, motions, and other court filings
The Florida Department of Health maintains dissolution of marriage certificates — a shorter summary document — for divorces recorded by the Clerk of Circuit Court from June 6, 1927, to the present. You can order these certificates through the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County or through VitalChek online.
For court case records, contact the Clerk's office:
Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Charlotte County
Charlotte County is part of Florida's 20th Judicial Circuit. Divorce cases are heard in the Circuit Court, Family Law Division. When a judge signs the final judgment of dissolution of marriage, the Clerk of the Circuit Court files and records that judgment as part of the official court record.
Depending on what you need, you should contact one of two offices:
For court case files, decrees, settlement agreements, and custody orders:
Contact the Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Court records are generally public in Florida under the state's broad public records laws, though certain sensitive information — such as financial affidavits and records involving minors — may be restricted or redacted.
For dissolution of marriage certificates (vital record):
The Florida Department of Health issues dissolution of marriage certificates. These are available statewide and can be ordered through the local county health department office or online via VitalChek.
If you need a certified copy of the actual divorce decree or the full case file, you must go through the Clerk of the Circuit Court — not the health department. The health department only issues the one-page dissolution of marriage certificate.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Charlotte County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolution of marriage certificate (Florida Department of Health) | $5.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| VitalChek online order (dissolution certificate) | $5.00 + VitalChek processing fee | 5–7 business days |
| Certified copy of court document (Clerk of Circuit Court) | $2.00 per page (certification fee additional) | Same day to several business days |
| Certification fee (Clerk of Circuit Court) | $2.00 per document | Included with copy request |
| Court record search fee | No charge for basic online docket searches | Immediate (online) |