Osceola County Divorce Records
What Are Osceola County Divorce Records?
Osceola County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of the dissolution of a marriage within Osceola County, Florida. These records are maintained by the Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court and contain information about the divorce proceedings, including the names of the parties involved, the date of the divorce, and other relevant details about the dissolution of marriage.
Divorce records in Osceola County are part of the public record system and serve as important legal documentation for various purposes, including proof of marital status, name changes, and property settlements. The Office of Kelvin Soto, Esq., Osceola Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains these records as part of their official duties.
Office of Kelvin Soto, Esq., Osceola Clerk of the Circuit Court: 2 Courthouse Square, Suite 2000, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Are Osceola County Divorce Records Public?
Yes, divorce records in Osceola County are generally considered public records under Florida's public records laws. This means that most divorce case information can be accessed by any member of the public. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted or restricted from public view to protect privacy.
The Florida Constitution and Florida Statutes Chapter 119 establish the public's right to access government records, including court records such as divorce filings. While the basic information about a divorce is public, certain documents within a divorce file may be confidential, such as:
- Financial affidavits
- Child custody evaluations
- Social security numbers
- Information about minor children
- Domestic violence details
The Florida Department of Health also maintains records of divorces that occurred in Florida and can provide certified copies of divorce certificates.
Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics: 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
How To Find a Divorce Record In Osceola County in 2025
To find a divorce record in Osceola County in 2025, you have several options:
- Visit the Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court in person at the courthouse.
- Use the Clerk's online records search system.
- Submit a written request by mail.
- Request a certified copy from the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics.
For in-person searches, you'll need to visit the Records Center at the courthouse. Provide the names of the parties involved in the divorce and the approximate date of the divorce filing or finalization. The staff can assist you in locating the relevant records.
Osceola County Courthouse Records Center: 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741
For the most current information on fees and procedures, it's recommended to contact the Clerk's office directly, as policies may have been updated since the previous year.
How To Look Up Divorce Records in Osceola County Online?
Looking up divorce records in Osceola County online is a convenient option that can save you a trip to the courthouse. The Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court provides an online records search system that allows public access to court records, including divorce cases.
To search for divorce records online:
- Visit the Osceola County Clerk's official website.
- Navigate to the "Records Search" or "Court Records" section.
- Select the option for searching civil cases or family court records.
- Enter the necessary search criteria, such as the names of the parties involved or the case number if you have it.
- Review the search results and select the case you're interested in to view available information.
Keep in mind that while basic case information is typically available online, you may not be able to view all documents in a divorce case through the online system. Some documents may only be available by visiting the courthouse in person.
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Osceola County?
Finding divorce records for free in Osceola County is possible through several methods:
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Online Public Records Search: The Osceola County Clerk's website offers free access to basic case information through their online records search system. While viewing basic information is free, there may be fees for obtaining copies of documents.
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In-Person Research: You can visit the Osceola County Courthouse Records Center to conduct research on public terminals at no cost. While searching is free, printing or obtaining certified copies will incur fees.
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Public Libraries: Some public libraries in Osceola County may provide free access to public records databases that include divorce records.
Osceola Library System - Hart Memorial Central Library: 211 E. Dakin Avenue, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Remember that while searching for records may be free, obtaining copies (especially certified copies) typically involves fees. As of 2025, standard copy fees are typically $1 per page, and certified copies may cost additional fees.
What's Included in a Divorce Records In Osceola County
Divorce records in Osceola County typically include several types of documents and information:
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Petition for Dissolution of Marriage: The initial filing that starts the divorce process.
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Financial Affidavits: Statements of each spouse's income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
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Marital Settlement Agreement: If the parties reached an agreement, this document outlines the terms.
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Parenting Plan: For divorces involving minor children, this details custody arrangements and parental responsibilities.
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Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage: The court's final order that legally ends the marriage.
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Name Change Information: If one spouse is resuming a former name.
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Property Division Details: How marital assets and debts are divided.
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Child Support Calculations: If applicable, the determination of child support obligations.
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Alimony Provisions: Details about spousal support, if awarded.
The specific contents of divorce records can vary based on the complexity of the case and whether the divorce was contested or uncontested.
How To Get Proof of Divorce In Osceola County?
To obtain proof of divorce in Osceola County, you have two main options:
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Certified Copy of Final Judgment: You can request a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage from the Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court. This document serves as legal proof that a divorce was granted.
To obtain this document:
- Visit the Records Center at the courthouse in person
- Submit a written request by mail
- Include the names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if available
- Pay the required fee (typically $1 per page plus a certification fee)
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Certificate of Divorce: You can also obtain a Certificate of Divorce (Dissolution of Marriage) from the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics. This is an official state document that confirms a divorce occurred.
To request this certificate:
- Complete an application form
- Provide identification
- Pay the required fee (approximately $5-15 per certificate)
- Submit your request online, by mail, or in person
Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics: 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
For most official purposes, either document is acceptable as proof of divorce, though some situations may require the specific Final Judgment document.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Osceola County?
While divorce records in Osceola County are generally public, there are certain circumstances under which divorce proceedings and records can be kept confidential or have limited public access:
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Sealing Records: In exceptional cases, a judge may order divorce records to be sealed if there is a compelling reason, such as:
- Protection of minor children
- Prevention of fraud or exploitation
- Safety concerns related to domestic violence
- Protection of trade secrets or sensitive financial information
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Confidential Information: Certain information is automatically protected from public disclosure, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Children's birth dates
- Victim information in domestic violence cases
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Simplified Dissolution of Marriage: This process typically generates fewer public records than contested divorces.
To request confidentiality for divorce proceedings, you must file a motion with the court explaining why confidentiality is necessary. The judge will determine whether the need for privacy outweighs the public's right to access court records.
It's important to note that complete confidentiality is rare in Florida divorce cases due to the state's strong public records laws.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In Osceola County?
The duration of a divorce in Osceola County varies significantly depending on several factors:
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Uncontested Divorces: When both parties agree on all issues, a divorce can be finalized in as little as 30 days after filing, though 60-90 days is more typical due to court scheduling.
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Simplified Dissolution of Marriage: This streamlined process for couples with no children and no disputed property can be completed in approximately 30 days.
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Contested Divorces: When spouses disagree on issues like property division, child custody, or support, the process can take 6 months to over a year, depending on:
- Court calendar congestion
- Complexity of assets to divide
- Child custody evaluations
- Discovery process length
- Whether mediation is successful
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Statutory Waiting Period: Florida requires a 20-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized.
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Residency Requirement: At least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for six months before filing.
The Osceola County Clerk's office recommends consulting with an attorney to get a more accurate timeline based on your specific circumstances.
How Long Does Osceola County Keep Divorce Records?
Osceola County maintains divorce records permanently. As court records of significant legal importance, divorce records are preserved indefinitely by the Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court. This permanent retention policy ensures that proof of divorce is always available for legal purposes.
The Records Center at the Osceola County Courthouse maintains both recent and historical divorce records. Older records may be archived in different formats (microfilm, digital scans, etc.), but they remain accessible to the public.
While the county maintains the complete court files, the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics also keeps a permanent record of all divorces granted in Florida, though their records contain less detail than the full court files.
Osceola County Records Center: 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741
This permanent retention policy is particularly important for matters involving property rights, remarriage, name changes, and other legal situations where proof of divorce is necessary.
How To Get a Divorce In Osceola County
To obtain a divorce in Osceola County, you'll need to follow these steps:
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Meet Residency Requirements: Either you or your spouse must have been a Florida resident for at least six months before filing.
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Determine Type of Dissolution:
- Simplified Dissolution: Available for couples with no minor children, no pregnancy, agreement on property division, and not seeking alimony.
- Uncontested Dissolution: When spouses agree on all issues but don't qualify for simplified dissolution.
- Contested Dissolution: When spouses disagree on one or more issues.
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Obtain and Complete Forms: Required forms are available from:
- The Osceola County Clerk's office
- The Clerk's website
- Florida Courts website (flcourts.org)
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File Paperwork: Submit completed forms to the Clerk of Circuit Court along with the filing fee (approximately $400-$500).
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Serve Your Spouse: Unless filing jointly, you must legally serve divorce papers to your spouse.
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Financial Disclosure: Both parties must complete financial affidavits.
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Parenting Course: If you have minor children, both parents must complete a parenting course.
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Mediation: May be required if there are disputed issues.
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Final Hearing: Appear before a judge for the final dissolution hearing.
Osceola County Clerk of Circuit Court, Family Division: 2 Courthouse Square, Suite 2000, Kissimmee, FL 34741
For specific guidance on your situation, consulting with a family law attorney is recommended.
How To Get Divorce Papers In Osceola County
Obtaining divorce papers in Osceola County can be done through several methods:
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In Person: Visit the Osceola County Clerk of Circuit Court's office at the courthouse. The Family Law Division can provide you with the necessary forms.
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Online: Download divorce forms from:
- The Osceola County Clerk's website (osceolaclerk.com)
- The Florida Courts website (flcourts.org)
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Self-Help Center: The Osceola County Courthouse has a Self-Help Center that provides assistance with family law forms for a nominal fee.
Osceola County Courthouse Self-Help Center: 2 Courthouse Square, Suite 1100, Kissimmee, FL 34741
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Mail Request: Contact the Clerk's office to request forms by mail.
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Legal Aid: Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida may provide forms and assistance to qualifying individuals.
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida: 800 North Main Street, Kissimmee, FL 34744
The basic forms needed typically include:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Financial Affidavit
- Notice of Social Security Number
- Marital Settlement Agreement (if applicable)
- Parenting Plan (if children are involved)
Form packets vary based on your specific situation (with/without children, contested/uncontested, etc.). The filing fee for divorce in Osceola County is approximately $400-$500, though fee waivers may be available for those who qualify based on financial need.
Lookup Divorce Records in Osceola County
For information on the dissolution of marriage process in Osceola County, including required forms and procedures, visit the Office of Kelvin Soto, Esq., Osceola Clerk of the Circuit Court.
To order a certified copy of a Florida dissolution of marriage certificate, check the Florida Department of Health website for current fees and processing times.
For general information about services provided by the Osceola County Clerk of the Court, including access to court records, visit the Osceola County Government website.
The Records Center at the Osceola Clerk of the Circuit Court manages the retention and access to paper-based records for the Osceola County judicial system, including historical divorce records.