Hillsborough County Public Records /Hillsborough County Divorce Records

Hillsborough County Divorce Records

What Are Hillsborough County Divorce Records?

Hillsborough County divorce records are official legal documents and court records that document the dissolution of a marriage within the jurisdiction of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. These records are generated throughout the divorce process and become part of the permanent court file upon the entry of a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. Under Florida Statutes § 61.001, the state recognizes the dissolution of marriage as a legal proceeding governed by Florida family law, with all related documentation maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Divorce records in Hillsborough County serve a wide range of legal and administrative purposes. Members of the public and authorized parties may require these documents for:

Establishing legal proof of a change in marital status
Qualifying for remarriage under Florida law
Completing a legal name change following divorce
Applying for Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
Submitting documentation for mortgage or loan applications
Supporting immigration petitions or visa applications
Resolving estate, inheritance, or beneficiary disputes

Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 276-8100 Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court

Are Hillsborough County Divorce Records Public?

Access to Hillsborough County divorce records involves a nuanced distinction between court case files and certified divorce certificates. Under Florida Statutes § 119.07, Florida's Public Records Law generally grants members of the public the right to inspect and copy government records, including court filings. However, not all components of a divorce record are equally accessible.

Court divorce case files — including petitions, motions, financial affidavits, and the Final Judgment — are generally available for public inspection through the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court, subject to specific statutory exemptions. Records that may be sealed or restricted include:

Documents containing Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or other financial identifiers
Records involving minor children, including parenting plans and child support worksheets
Cases in which a court has issued a sealing or expungement order
Domestic violence-related filings that identify protected parties

Certified copies of divorce decrees or final judgments, which carry the official court seal and are used for legal purposes, are typically restricted to the parties named in the case, their legal representatives, and other individuals who can demonstrate a legitimate legal interest. Members of the public may access non-certified copies of most divorce case documents through the Clerk's public access portal or in person at the courthouse.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Hillsborough County in 2026

Locating a divorce record in Hillsborough County requires identifying the correct court and using the appropriate search method based on the requester's relationship to the case. The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court handles all dissolution of marriage proceedings filed within Hillsborough County.

The following steps outline the standard process for finding a divorce record:

Identify the case information — Gather the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was finalized or filed.
Search the online case portal — Use the Hillsborough County Clerk's online case search to locate the case number and review available docket entries.
Request in-person access — Visit the Clerk's Civil Division at the courthouse to review physical case files. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding court holidays.
Submit a written records request — If documents are not available online, submit a public records request through the Clerk's official request process.
Pay applicable fees — Certified copies currently cost $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. Non-certified copies are $1.00 per page.

Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court – Civil Division 800 E. Twiggs St., Room 101, Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 276-8100 Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Hillsborough County Online?

The Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court provides online access to court records through its public-facing case management portal. Members of the public may search for divorce case records using the following methods:

Clerk's Case Search Portal — Visit the official court records search page and enter the names of one or both parties, or the case number if known. The portal returns docket entries, filed documents, and hearing schedules for cases that are not sealed.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal — Attorneys and registered users may access additional case information through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which supports statewide case lookups.
Statewide Case Search — The Florida Clerk of Courts Operations Corporation maintains a statewide case search tool at Florida Courts, which may assist in locating cases filed in Hillsborough County.

Online access is limited to documents that have been digitized and are not subject to confidentiality restrictions. Sealed records, records involving minors, and documents with redacted financial information may not appear in full through the online portal.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Hillsborough County?

Members of the public may access certain divorce records at no cost through available public resources. Free access options currently include:

Online case docket review — The Hillsborough County Clerk's case search portal allows free viewing of case docket entries and some filed documents without charge.
In-person inspection — Under Florida's Public Records Law, members of the public have the right to inspect public records in person at the Clerk's office without paying a fee, provided they do not request copies.
Florida Courts website — The Florida Courts website provides general information about court records and self-help resources at no cost.
Law library access — The George Edgecomb Courthouse Law Library, located within the courthouse complex, provides free access to legal research tools and court records assistance.

Fees apply when requesting printed or certified copies of documents. Individuals who cannot afford copy fees may inquire about fee waiver eligibility through the Clerk's office.

What's Included in a Divorce Record In Hillsborough County

A Hillsborough County divorce record is a comprehensive collection of legal documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings. The contents of a divorce record typically include:

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage — The initiating document filed by the petitioner
Summons and proof of service — Documentation confirming the respondent was properly notified
Financial affidavits — Mandatory disclosures of income, assets, and liabilities from both parties
Marital settlement agreement — A negotiated agreement addressing property division, alimony, and other matters
Parenting plan and time-sharing schedule — Required when minor children are involved
Child support worksheets — Calculations based on Florida's income shares model
Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage — The court order officially dissolving the marriage
Name change order — If applicable, a court order restoring a former name
Hearing transcripts and motions — Filed pleadings and records of court proceedings

The Final Judgment is the document most commonly requested for legal purposes, as it contains the court's official findings and orders.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Hillsborough County?

Proof of divorce in Hillsborough County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. This document bears the official court seal and the clerk's certification, making it legally recognized for purposes such as remarriage, name changes, and government benefit applications.

To obtain proof of divorce, parties may:

Request in person — Visit the Civil Division of the Clerk's office at 800 E. Twiggs St., Room 101, Tampa, FL 33602, during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) and present a valid government-issued photo ID.
Request by mail — Submit a written request including the case number, names of both parties, the year of the divorce, a copy of a valid ID, and a check or money order for applicable fees payable to the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.
Request online — Use the Hillsborough County Clerk's records request system to submit a request electronically.

Current fees are $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. Processing times vary based on request volume and whether the records have been digitized.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Hillsborough County?

Certain divorce proceedings and associated records may be designated as confidential under Florida law. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.071, specific categories of information within court records are exempt from public disclosure, and courts retain authority to seal entire case files under defined legal standards.

Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential include:

Domestic violence cases — Records identifying the address or location of a protected party may be withheld from public access
Cases involving minor children — Certain documents, including guardian ad litem reports and dependency-related filings, may be restricted
Sealed case orders — A party may petition the court to seal the entire case file upon demonstrating that the privacy interest outweighs the public's right of access
Redacted financial information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar identifiers are routinely redacted from public-facing documents under Florida court rules

Members of the public who encounter restricted records may not access sealed portions without a court order. Parties seeking to seal their own divorce records must file a motion with the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court and demonstrate grounds under applicable Florida law.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Hillsborough County?

The duration of a divorce proceeding in Hillsborough County varies significantly based on the complexity of the case, the level of agreement between the parties, and current court scheduling. Florida law imposes a mandatory 20-day waiting period after service of process before a divorce may be finalized, though most cases take considerably longer.

Approximate timeframes by case type are as follows:

Uncontested divorce (simplified dissolution) — Typically 4 to 8 weeks from filing, provided both parties meet eligibility requirements and all paperwork is complete
Uncontested divorce (standard) — Generally 6 to 12 weeks, depending on court scheduling and document processing
Contested divorce — May range from 6 months to 2 years or more, depending on the number of disputed issues, discovery requirements, and trial scheduling
High-conflict cases involving custody or significant assets — May extend beyond 2 years in complex litigation

Factors that influence the timeline include the responsiveness of both parties, the completeness of financial disclosures, the need for mediation, and the availability of judicial hearing dates. The Florida Courts website provides general guidance on family law timelines and self-help resources.

How Long Does Hillsborough County Keep Divorce Records?

Hillsborough County maintains divorce records in accordance with Florida's records retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State. Under the General Records Schedule GS1-SL for State and Local Government Agencies, court records related to dissolution of marriage are subject to permanent retention due to their legal significance.

Key retention provisions currently in effect include:

Final Judgments of Dissolution of Marriage — Retained permanently as part of the official court record
Complete case files — Maintained for a minimum period established by the Florida Supreme Court's records retention rules, with many records kept indefinitely
Electronic records — Digitized court records are maintained in the Clerk's case management system and remain accessible through the online portal

The permanent nature of divorce records means that Final Judgments and associated case documents remain retrievable through the Hillsborough County Clerk's office regardless of how many years have passed since the case was closed. The Florida Department of State Division of Library and Information Services oversees statewide records retention schedules applicable to county clerks.

How To Get a Divorce In Hillsborough County

Obtaining a divorce in Hillsborough County requires filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court. Florida is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that either party may seek dissolution by establishing that the marriage is irretrievably broken, without the need to prove fault or wrongdoing by the other spouse.

The general process for obtaining a divorce in Hillsborough County includes the following steps:

Confirm eligibility — At least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for a minimum of six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition.
Complete required forms — Florida Supreme Court-approved family law forms are available through the Florida Courts Self-Help Center at no cost.
File the petition — Submit the completed petition and required documents to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Civil Division, along with the filing fee. The current filing fee for a dissolution of marriage with children is approximately $409; without children, approximately $409 (fees subject to change).
Serve the respondent — The petitioner must arrange for formal service of process on the other spouse through the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office or a private process server.
Complete mandatory disclosure — Both parties must exchange financial affidavits and other required documents within 45 days of service.
Attend mediation if required — Contested cases involving property or children are typically referred to mediation before a hearing is scheduled.
Attend the final hearing — For uncontested cases, a brief hearing before a judge or general magistrate is scheduled to enter the Final Judgment.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office – Civil Process Unit 2008 E. 8th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605 (813) 247-8200 Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court – Family Law Division 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 272-5026 Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court

How To Get Divorce Papers In Hillsborough County

Divorce papers in Hillsborough County may be obtained through several channels depending on whether the requester is initiating a new divorce proceeding or seeking copies of documents from an existing case.

For initiating a divorce:

Florida Courts Self-Help Center — Florida Supreme Court-approved dissolution of marriage forms are available at no cost through the Florida Courts Self-Help Center. These forms are legally approved for use in all Florida circuit courts, including Hillsborough County.
Hillsborough County Law Library — Located within the George Edgecomb Courthouse, the law library provides access to legal forms, self-help resources, and staff assistance for pro se litigants.
Clerk's Self-Help Center — The Hillsborough County Clerk's office maintains a self-help center to assist members of the public in locating and completing required court forms.

For obtaining copies of existing divorce papers:

In-person request — Visit the Civil Division of the Clerk's office at 800 E. Twiggs St., Room 101, Tampa, FL 33602, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a valid photo ID and the case number if available.
Online request — Submit a records request through the Hillsborough County Clerk's records portal.
Mail request — Send a written request with identifying information, a copy of a valid ID, and payment for applicable copy fees to the Clerk's Civil Division.

Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court – Self-Help Center 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 276-8100 Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court