Monroe County Public Records /Monroe County Divorce Records

Monroe County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Monroe County in 2026

Members of the public seeking divorce records in Monroe County may access publicly available information through MonroeGERecords.us and official government resources. Divorce records in Monroe County may include final judgments of dissolution, case filings, parenting plans, and settlement agreements. Available record categories include court case files, final decrees, financial affidavits, and post-judgment modification orders. Access and completeness may vary depending on the age of the case and any applicable court-ordered restrictions.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Monroe County Clerk of Courts, the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, and the Florida Department of Health Vital Statistics office. Members of the public may use public access terminals at the courthouse, submit written requests by mail, or conduct searches online through the court's case management system.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Monroe County Clerk of Courts maintains an online case search portal where members of the public may search divorce and dissolution of marriage cases by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for copies of documents.

2. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal provides access to case information across Florida's circuit courts, including Monroe County. Users may search by party name, case number, or filing date. This consolidated statewide database is particularly useful when the county of filing is uncertain.

3. Florida Department of Health Vital Statistics

Florida does not issue a separate divorce certificate in the same manner as a birth or death certificate; however, the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains divorce index records and may provide verification letters confirming that a dissolution of marriage was granted. Fees apply for this service.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court Family Division:

Monroe County Clerk of Courts – Key West Courthouse 500 Whitehead Street Key West, FL 33040 Phone: (305) 292-3423 Monroe County Clerk of Courts

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Services available in person include:

Searching case files by party name or case number
Viewing filed documents at public access terminals
Requesting certified copies of final judgments and other documents
Staff assistance for locating archived or older case files

Records Department:

The Clerk's Records Department maintains archived and historical divorce case files. Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Certified copy requests for older records should be submitted directly to the Records Department at the address above.

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail requests to:

Monroe County Clerk of Courts 500 Whitehead Street Key West, FL 33040

Written requests should include:

Full legal names of both parties
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of the divorce
Case number, if known
Requestor's full name and contact information
Purpose of the request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence

Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, though older or archived records may require additional time.

By Phone

Limited Information:

Phone: (305) 292-3423

Staff may confirm by phone:

Whether a case exists in the system
The assigned case number
Current case status
The original filing date

Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or any confidential case information by phone.

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Florida may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, including requesting documents that may be subject to restricted access. Attorneys may also petition the court for access to sealed records upon a showing of good cause. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service connects members of the public with licensed Florida attorneys for assistance with complex records requests or family law matters.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of the divorce
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of the marriage
Previous addresses in Monroe County
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Florida law, a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed in the circuit court of the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not necessarily the county where the divorce was filed.

Residency Requirement:

Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 61.021, at least one party to a dissolution of marriage proceeding must have been a resident of Florida for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition. The petition is filed in the circuit court of the county where that resident spouse resides.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Cases finalized within the past several weeks may not yet be fully indexed in the online case search system. Members of the public should allow processing time following the final hearing before expecting a case to appear in the electronic database. Records are typically available within days to a few weeks of the final judgment being entered.

Older Divorces:

Divorce records predating electronic filing systems may be archived in paper format and may not be digitized. Retrieval of archived records may require additional time and a specific written request to the Clerk's Records Department.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

The divorce was filed in a different Florida county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
The case is still pending and has not been finalized
Very old records stored in off-site archives
The case has been sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk's office at (305) 292-3423 to request staff assistance
Attempt alternate name spellings in the online search
Search under both spouses' names
Check the Florida Department of Health divorce index
Consult a licensed Florida attorney for complex searches

What Are Monroe County Divorce Records?

Monroe County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. These records are maintained by the Monroe County Clerk of Courts as part of the circuit court's family law case files and constitute public records subject to Florida's public records laws.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files

A complete divorce case file may contain:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits from both parties
Parenting plans, if minor children are involved
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and notices
Transcripts of court hearings
Final judgment of dissolution of marriage

Final Decree

The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the official court order that legally ends the marriage. It establishes:

The date the marriage was dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Alimony or spousal support terms, if any
Child custody and timesharing arrangements, if applicable
Child support orders, if applicable
Restoration of a former name, if requested

Certified copies of the final judgment are available through the Clerk of Courts and serve as legal proof of divorce for purposes such as remarriage, name changes, and estate planning.

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents within a divorce case file may include:

The original marriage certificate
Financial disclosure documents and tax returns
Property inventories and appraisals
Parenting plan details and custody evaluations
Post-judgment modification orders

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Legal Purposes

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Documentation for legal name changes
Property transfer and title documentation
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Immigration proceedings
Social Security benefit claims

Personal Purposes

Genealogical and family history research
Personal record-keeping
Verification of divorce terms and obligations

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

Clerk of Court

The Monroe County Clerk of Courts is the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The Clerk indexes records by party names, maintains certified copies, and provides public access to non-restricted portions of case files.

State Vital Records Office

The Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains a statewide divorce index and may provide verification of dissolution records. Florida does not issue a standalone divorce certificate comparable to a birth certificate, but the Bureau can confirm that a dissolution was granted and provide limited identifying information.

Legal Framework:

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Florida are governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 61, which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for dissolving a marriage. Public access to court records, including divorce records, is governed by Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution and Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420, which balances the presumption of public access against privacy protections for sensitive information.

Are Monroe County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Monroe County are public court records under Florida law, and members of the public may access basic case information and most filed documents. However, certain categories of information within divorce case files are subject to restriction or redaction to protect sensitive personal and financial data.

Public Access Policy:

What Is Public

The following information is accessible to members of the general public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and times
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all public-facing documents pursuant to Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.425
Bank account numbers and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed financial statements may be subject to limited access
Tax returns filed with the court may be sealed or restricted

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside
Schools minor children attend
Medical and psychological information about children
Child custody evaluations may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports are restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and related evidence
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Personal addresses in cases involving domestic violence
Mediation communications are confidential under Florida law

Sealed Records:

A court may seal a divorce case file or specific documents upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public without a court order.

Legal Basis for Public Access:

Florida's public records law, codified at Florida Statutes § 119.07, establishes the presumption that all court records are open to inspection by any person. Restrictions on access require a specific legal basis, and the burden falls on the party seeking to restrict access to demonstrate that the privacy interest outweighs the public's right to know.

Privacy Protections:

State-Specific Protections

Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420 governs confidentiality of court records
Florida's Address Confidentiality Program protects domestic violence victims' addresses
Child protection statutes restrict disclosure of information identifying minor children

Federal Protections

HIPAA governs the confidentiality of medical records submitted as evidence
Federal domestic violence protections under the Violence Against Women Act apply in relevant cases

Who Can Access Records:

General Public

Members of the public may access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents. Photo identification may be required at the courthouse, and standard copy fees apply.

Parties to the Case

Parties to a divorce proceeding have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view.

Attorneys

Licensed attorneys may access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed or restricted documents upon a showing of legitimate need.

Researchers and Media

Journalists and academic researchers may access the public portions of divorce case files. Access to sealed records requires a court order, and First Amendment considerations apply to media access requests.

Restrictions on Use:

Prohibited uses of divorce records include stalking, harassment, identity theft, and any purpose that violates an existing protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, and personal verification of marital status.

Obtaining Confidential Records:

A party seeking access to sealed or confidential divorce records must file a motion with the circuit court demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test between the privacy interests at stake and the requesting party's need for the information. Certain parties, including law enforcement agencies, child protective services investigators, and court-appointed evaluators, may be entitled by statute to access otherwise restricted records.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Monroe County?

The Monroe County Clerk of Courts charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24, which governs clerk service charges statewide.

Standard Copy Fees:

Service	Current Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy (per document)	$1.00 per page + $2.00 certification fee
Exemplified/authenticated copy	$2.00 per page + additional authentication fee
Electronic copy (where available)	Varies; may be lower than paper copy fees

Additional Fees:

Search fees: The Clerk does not charge a separate search fee for in-person or online searches of the public case index
Public access terminal use: No charge for viewing records at courthouse terminals
Mail request processing: No additional processing fee beyond copy and certification charges; a self-addressed stamped envelope is required

Accepted Payment Methods:

The Monroe County Clerk of Courts accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and major credit or debit cards for in-person transactions. Mail requests should include a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk of Courts. Online payment options are available through the court's electronic portal.

Fee Waivers:

Indigent parties who have been granted in forma pauperis status by the court may be entitled to waiver of certain copy fees. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver must submit a written request and supporting documentation to the Clerk's office.

What Is Available at No Charge:

Viewing case docket entries and case summaries through the online case search portal
Viewing documents at public access terminals in the courthouse
Confirming case existence and status by phone

What's Included in Divorce Records in Monroe County

A Monroe County divorce case file is a comprehensive collection of documents generated from the initial filing through the 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 Caption:

Assigned case number
Court name and division (Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Family Division)
Names of petitioner and respondent
Judge assigned to the case
Attorneys of record for each party

Filing Information:

Date the petition was filed
Filing fees paid
Case type designation (dissolution of marriage)
Basis for jurisdiction

Initial Pleadings

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage:

Identifying information for both parties
Date and location of the marriage
Date of separation, if applicable
Grounds for dissolution (Florida is a no-fault state; the sole ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, per Florida Statutes § 61.052)
Information regarding minor children, including names and dates of birth
Claims regarding marital property and debts
Requests for spousal support, child support, and other relief

Response/Answer:

Respondent's admissions or denials
Counterpetition, if filed
Respondent's independent requests for relief

Financial Affidavits: Both parties are required to file financial affidavits disclosing:

All sources of income
Monthly living expenses
Marital and non-marital assets, including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, and retirement accounts
All liabilities, including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt

Discovery Documents

Discovery materials that may be filed with the court include:

Tax returns for recent years
Pay stubs and employer verification
Bank and investment account statements
Retirement account statements
Business financial statements, if applicable
Written interrogatories and answers under oath
Responses to requests for production of documents
Property inventories

Property-Related Documents

Marital Asset Inventory:

Descriptions and estimated values of all real property
Vehicles and their values
Bank and investment account balances
Retirement account balances
Business interests and valuations
Personal property, jewelry, art, and collectibles

Debt Inventory:

Mortgage balances
Vehicle loan balances
Credit card debt
Personal and business loans
Tax obligations

Appraisals and Valuations:

Real property appraisals
Business valuations prepared by certified experts
Personal property appraisals
Expert reports on the value of contested assets

Children-Related Documents

Parenting Plan:

Florida requires a parenting plan in all dissolution cases involving minor children. The parenting plan addresses:

Legal custody and decision-making authority for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities
Physical custody and primary residence
Timesharing schedule, including regular, holiday, summer, and vacation provisions
Transportation arrangements
Communication protocols between parents and with children
Relocation restrictions

Child Support:

Child support guidelines worksheet
Income information for both parties
Number of overnights with each parent
Health insurance and childcare costs
Amount of support ordered
Payment schedule and method
Income deduction order, if applicable

Custody Evaluations: When ordered by the court, custody evaluations may include psychological assessments, home studies, child interviews, and parenting assessments prepared by a licensed mental health professional. These documents may be sealed or subject to restricted access.

Guardian ad Litem Reports: When a guardian ad litem is appointed to represent the best interests of minor children, the guardian's report and recommendations are filed with the court and may be subject to restricted access.

Support Documents

Alimony/Spousal Support: Florida recognizes several forms of alimony, including bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational, and in exceptional cases, permanent alimony. Alimony-related documents include:

Type and amount of alimony ordered
Duration and payment schedule
Modification and termination provisions
Tax treatment provisions

Settlement Documents

Marital Settlement Agreement: In uncontested or mediated divorces, the parties execute a marital settlement agreement (MSA) that resolves all issues, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related matters. The MSA is incorporated into the final judgment and becomes a binding court order.

Mediation Agreement: If the parties participated in court-ordered mediation, the terms agreed upon in mediation may be memorialized in a separate mediation agreement that is subsequently incorporated into the MSA.

Court Orders and Judgments

Temporary Orders: During the pendency of the case, the court may enter temporary orders addressing:

Temporary custody and timesharing
Temporary child and spousal support
Temporary use and possession of the marital home
Temporary restraining orders or injunctions

Final Judgment of Dissolution: The final judgment is the court's definitive order ending the marriage. It includes:

Findings of fact and conclusions of law
Date of dissolution
Property division and equitable distribution findings
Spousal support orders
Child custody, timesharing, and support orders
Restoration of a former name, if requested
Judge's signature and court seal

Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO): When retirement accounts are divided as part of the property settlement, a separate QDRO is prepared and submitted to the retirement plan administrator to effectuate the division of benefits.

Post-Judgment Documents

Post-judgment filings may include:

Petitions to modify custody, timesharing, or support
Court orders on modification requests
Contempt motions and enforcement actions
Income deduction orders
Liens filed against property

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed

The following categories of information are routinely redacted or restricted from public access:

Social Security numbers
Bank account and financial account numbers
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence-related evidence and allegations
Mental health evaluations and records
Substance abuse treatment records
Mediation communications
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents

How Information Is Organized

Divorce case files are organized chronologically, with each document assigned a filing date and a document number. The case docket serves as an index of all filed documents, listed in the order received. Recent cases are maintained in electronic format through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; older cases may exist in paper format or as scanned digital images.

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Monroe County

Proof of divorce in Monroe County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage, issued by the Monroe County Clerk of Courts. A certified copy bears the Clerk's official seal and signature and is accepted as legal proof of divorce by government agencies, financial institutions, and other entities.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the case number by searching the Monroe County Clerk of Courts online case search or by contacting the Clerk's office at (305) 292-3423.
Submit a request in person at the Key West Courthouse, by mail, or through the court's electronic portal.
Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if known.
Pay the applicable certification fee as established under Florida Statutes § 28.24.
Receive the certified copy in person, by mail, or electronically, depending on the method of request.

Florida Department of Health Divorce Verification:

For individuals who need only a verification of divorce rather than a full certified copy of the court record, the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics provides divorce index verification letters. This service is available by mail or online and carries a separate fee.

Monroe County Clerk of Courts – Key West Courthouse 500 Whitehead Street Key West, FL 33040 Phone: (305) 292-3423 Monroe County Clerk of Courts

Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics P.O. Box 210 Jacksonville, FL 32231 Phone: (904) 359-6900 Florida Department of Health Vital Statistics

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Monroe County?

Divorce proceedings in Monroe County are presumptively public under Florida law; however, certain cases or specific documents within a case may be made confidential by court order or by operation of statute.

Circumstances Under Which Divorce Records May Be Confidential:

Court-ordered sealing: A party may petition the circuit court to seal all or part of a divorce case file. The court applies a balancing test, weighing the privacy interest against the public's right of access. Sealing requires a specific finding that the privacy interest is compelling and that no less restrictive alternative exists.
Domestic violence cases: When a dissolution of marriage involves allegations of domestic violence, the court may restrict access to documents that could reveal the address or location of a protected party, consistent with Florida's Address Confidentiality Program.
Children's information: Pursuant to Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420, information identifying the residential address, school, or medical details of minor children is treated as confidential and is not accessible to the general public.
Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers: These are automatically redacted from all publicly accessible court documents under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.425.
Mental health and substance abuse records: Records pertaining to mental health treatment or substance abuse counseling submitted as evidence are subject to confidentiality protections under both state and federal law.
Mediation communications: All communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public court record under Florida Statutes § 44.405.

Members of the public who believe a case has been improperly sealed or who seek access to a sealed record may file a motion with the circuit court requesting review of the sealing order.

How Long Does Monroe County Keep Divorce Records?

Monroe County divorce records are retained in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida Department of State Division of Library and Information Services. Retention periods vary depending on the type of record and the nature of the case.

Retention Periods for Divorce Records:

Final judgments of dissolution of marriage: Retained permanently. Final judgments are considered permanent court records and are never destroyed.
Complete case files (contested dissolution): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, after which the file may be eligible for disposition in accordance with the applicable records retention schedule.
Complete case files (uncontested dissolution): Retained for a minimum of 5 years following the close of the case under standard retention schedules, though many counties retain these records for longer periods.
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period; may be purged from the file after a set number of years while the final judgment is retained permanently.
Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the case file and subject to the same retention schedule as the original case.
Archived paper records: Older paper records that have been transferred to off-site storage or converted to microfilm or digital format are retained in accordance with the Florida Department of State's General Records Schedule GS1-SL for State and Local Government Agencies.

Members of the public seeking records from cases that may have been archived or are approaching the end of their retention period should contact the Monroe County Clerk of Courts directly to confirm availability. The Florida Department of State Division of Library and Information Services provides guidance on public records retention requirements applicable to Florida court records.