Divorce records in Sarasota County, Florida, are available through several official sources. SarasotaCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorces in this county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly through the district court that issued the decision, through the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and through the Florida Department of Health, which maintains the registry of divorce certificates. Online tools, personal visits, and mail requests all work to obtain the necessary documents.
Sarasota Divorce Records Search
In Sarasota County, divorce cases (dissolution of marriage) are handled by the Circuit Court — a court of general jurisdiction that is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains an archive of all court cases, including divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and related documents.
Apart from court cases, there are divorce certificates. These are kept by the Office of Vital Records at the Sarasota County Department of Health. These certificates are available for divorces registered from June 6, 1927, to the present.
What is included in the collection of divorce records:
- Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
- Divorce certificate
- Marital settlement agreements
- Child custody and support orders
- Related motions and court orders
Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Sarasota
When a Circuit Court judge signs the final divorce decree, the document immediately goes to the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. This office is the primary custodian of the complete court file — from the initial petition to the final judgment. Court case materials can be searched through the online portal ClerkNet, where official records can be searched.
If you need a divorce certificate — a short document confirming the dissolution of marriage — contact the Office of Vital Records. This office operates at the Sarasota County Department of Health and issues certified copies of certificates.
Where to contact depending on your needs:
To obtain the full court file (judgments, agreements, orders):
To obtain a divorce certificate:
At the state level, certified certificates can also be ordered through the central office of Vital Records at the Florida Department of Health. Information about the state's court structure and forms for self-represented individuals is available on the Florida Courts portal.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Sarasota
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate — Office of Vital Records, Sarasota | $5.00 | Same day with personal visit |
| Divorce certificate — central office Florida Vital Records (by mail) | $5.00 | 2–4 weeks |
| Copy of court document — Clerk of the Circuit Court (per page) | $1.00 | Usually 1–3 business days |
| Certified copy of court document — Clerk of the Circuit Court | $2.00 for certification + cost of copies | 1–5 business days |
| Search through ClerkNet — Official Records (online viewing) | Free to view | Immediately |