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Divorce Certificates

Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County

How to order a Florida Dissolution of Marriage Certificate (Divorce or Annulment)  

Florida dissolution of marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to present that have been recorded by the Clerk of Circuit Court are available through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The certificate is issued as an abstract of the information taken from the judgment and is acceptable as evidence that a dissolution was finalized and granted. The actual judgment may be obtained from the Clerk of Circuit Court in the county where the dissolution was granted.

After a dissolution of marriage (divorce or annulment) has been recorded with the Clerk of Circuit Court, the Clerk forwards a report to the Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent filing. This process takes approximately 60 days. If the current dissolution of marriage is less than 60 days from the date of application and immediate evidence is required, you may contact the county Clerk of Circuit Court where the dissolution was granted. Any dissolutions prior to June 6, 1927 are obtainable from the Clerk of Circuit Court in the county where the dissolution was granted. Florida Clerk of Circuit Court Link.

Ordering a Florida Dissolution of Marriage Certificate

  • ORDER ONLINE WITH VITALCHEK
  • ORDER FROM FLORIDA BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS

Click here to order online with a credit card from VitalChek® and have your certificates delivered right to your door.

VitalChek is the only contracted vendor for the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. We do not recommend using any other online vendor. The application process requires you to share personal information, so security and confidentiality is critical. We can only guarantee your privacy if you order through VitalChek.

$15Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics fee for the first certificate (includes $5.00 search fee + $10 rush fee). 
$7VitalChek process fee to verify your identity, obtain ordering information and download your request directly to the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
$4Additional computer-generated certification.
$2Search fee per calendar year when exact year is unknown (maximum fee $50.00).

UPS shipping is available for an additional fee and requires signature upon delivery. Regular mail may be selected as a shipping method for no additional cost.

Click VitalChek® to start your online order or call VitalChek at 1-877-550-7330 to order by phone. If calling from outside the U.S., call 1-615-372-6800.

The Bureau of Vital Statistics offers walk-in or mail-in services. To save time, download and complete the forms you need. The Bureau of Vital Statistics may be reached at (904) 359-6900, ext. 9000.

DH260 Application for Dissolution of Marriage (102K pdf)

Fees:    A 5.00 search fee is included in all orders and is NON-REFUNDABLE.

$5Search fee for one calendar year and one certified copy
$4Additional certified copies
$2Search fee per calendar year when exact year is unknown (maximum fee $50.00)
$10Rush fee (required for records prior to 1970 for same day walk in service, when available)
$1Shipping and Handling Fee
Walk-in:  1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202   
Lobby hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Walk-in payments may be made in the form of cash, check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard. 

Mail-in:  Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, Fl 32231-0042

Normal processing time is 3 to 5 business days for computer certificates (1970 to present) not including shipping time to and from our office. Records prior to 1970 require additional processing time.  

Rush orders are given priority processing and require an additional $10 fee. Mark the outside of your envelope “RUSH”.  All orders, including RUSH orders are mailed Standard U.S. Postal delivery unless a special prepaid delivery envelope is provided.

If you are unable to access our application forms, you may submit your request in writing. Please include the following information and proper fee. 

  • Information about the persons named on the certificate:
        Full name of both spouses as shown on record
        Date of Dissolution
        County where dissolution granted
  • Information about you (or the person requesting the certificate):
        Full Name
        Mailing address
        Phone number
        Signature of Applicant
        Relationship to person on dissolution of marriage record
  • Payment:  Check or money order payable to "Vital Statistics". DO NOT send cash. International payments must be made by Cashier’s Check or Money Order in U.S. Dollars drawn upon a U.S. Bank. Florida Law imposes an additional service charge of $15.00 for dishonored checks. Fees are nonrefundable, except fee paid for additional copies when no record is found. These are refunded on written request.

Need information on dissolutions that occurred outside of Florida or the United States?  

For dissolutions that occurred outside of Florida, visit the National Center of Health Statistics website at  www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm

For dissolutions that occurred outside of the United States, visit the National Center for Health Statistics website at www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/foreign.htm

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
Email to VitalStats@flhealth.gov