StJohns County Divorce Records
What Are StJohns County Divorce Records?
StJohns County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of a marriage dissolution in St. Johns County, Florida. These records contain information about the divorce proceedings, including the names of the parties involved, the date of divorce, and other relevant details. They are maintained by the St. Johns County Clerk of Court, located at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084.
Divorce records serve as legal proof that a marriage has been legally terminated. They are essential for various purposes, including remarriage, name changes, and updating personal records.
Are StJohns County Divorce Records Public?
Yes, divorce records in StJohns County are considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law. This means that most divorce records can be accessed by anyone who requests them. The Florida Department of Health, with offices at 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399, maintains a statewide database of divorce certificates.
However, certain sensitive information within these records may be redacted or restricted to protect privacy. This includes:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Information about minor children
- Certain medical information
In some cases, a judge may order specific divorce records to be sealed if there are compelling reasons to protect the parties involved.
How To Find a Divorce Record In StJohns County in 2025
To find a divorce record in StJohns County in 2025, you have several options:
- Visit the St. Johns County Clerk of Court in person at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
- Submit a written request using the Request for Records Research form
- Search online through the Clerk's official website
- Contact the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 for divorce certificates
When requesting records, you'll need to provide:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Your contact information
- Payment for any applicable fees
How To Look Up Divorce Records in StJohns County Online?
StJohns County offers online access to divorce records through the Clerk of Court's website. To look up divorce records online:
- Visit the St. Johns County Clerk of Court website
- Navigate to the "Court Records Search" section
- Select "Family Law" or "Divorce Records" from the available options
- Enter search criteria such as names of parties or case numbers
- Review the search results and select the record you need
- Pay any applicable fees for viewing or obtaining copies
Note that while basic information may be available online, you might need to request certified copies in person or by mail for official purposes.
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In StJohns County?
There are several ways to access divorce records in StJohns County without paying fees:
- Use the public access computers at the St. Johns County Courthouse at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
- Visit the St. Johns County Public Library at Main Library, 1960 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32084 to access public records databases
- Search the basic online records through the Clerk's website (viewing basic information is often free)
- Contact the Florida Department of Health's Office of Vital Statistics at 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 for information about free record searches
While viewing basic information may be free, obtaining copies or certified documents typically involves fees.
What's Included in a Divorce Records In StJohns County
StJohns County divorce records typically include:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Financial affidavits from both parties
- Marital settlement agreement (if applicable)
- Child custody and support arrangements (if children are involved)
- Property division details
- Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
- Name change information (if applicable)
- Court orders related to the divorce
- Testimony transcripts (in contested cases)
- Certificates of completion for required parenting classes (when children are involved)
The level of detail varies depending on whether the divorce was contested or uncontested and whether children or significant assets were involved.
How To Get Proof of Divorce In StJohns County?
To obtain proof of divorce in StJohns County:
- Request a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage from the St. Johns County Clerk of Court at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
- Obtain a divorce certificate from the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
For a certified copy, you'll need to:
- Complete the Request for Records Research form
- Provide identification
- Pay the required fee (typically $1 per page plus $2 for certification)
- Provide the case number or names and approximate date of divorce
Certified copies are official documents bearing the Clerk's seal and are accepted as legal proof of divorce.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In StJohns County?
While most divorce records in StJohns County are public, there are circumstances where records may be kept confidential:
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A judge may seal records if there is a compelling reason, such as:
- Protection from domestic violence
- Safeguarding business trade secrets
- Protecting the identity of minors
- Preventing fraud or harassment
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Certain information is automatically redacted from public records:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Children's information
- Medical records
To request confidentiality, parties must file a motion with the court explaining why the records should be sealed. The judge will determine if the reasons outweigh the public's right to access.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In StJohns County?
The duration of a divorce in StJohns County varies depending on several factors:
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Uncontested divorces (where both parties agree on all terms):
- Typically 4-6 weeks from filing to finalization
- May be expedited if there are no minor children or property disputes
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Contested divorces (where parties disagree on terms):
- Can take 6 months to over a year
- May require multiple court hearings
- Often involve mediation sessions
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Simplified dissolution of marriage:
- Fastest option, often completed in 30 days
- Available only to couples with no children, no alimony claims, and agreement on property division
Florida requires a 20-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized, even in uncontested cases.
How Long Does StJohns County Keep Divorce Records?
StJohns County maintains divorce records permanently. As legal documents of significant importance, these records are preserved indefinitely by the St. Johns County Clerk of Court at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084.
The Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics also maintains divorce certificates permanently at the state level. These records are available for research and legal purposes regardless of when the divorce occurred.
While physical records from many decades ago may be archived, they remain accessible through proper requests and research procedures.
How To Get a Divorce In StJohns County
To obtain a divorce in StJohns County, follow these steps:
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Ensure eligibility: Either you or your spouse must have been a Florida resident for at least 6 months.
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Determine the type of dissolution:
- Simplified dissolution (if you have no children, no alimony claims, and agree on property division)
- Regular dissolution (contested or uncontested)
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Obtain and complete the necessary forms from:
- St. Johns County Courthouse at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
- Online through the Florida Courts website
- Through a family law attorney
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File the petition with the Clerk of Court and pay the filing fee (approximately $400).
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Serve the petition to your spouse (unless filing jointly).
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Complete mandatory financial disclosures.
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Attend mediation if required (mandatory in contested cases with children).
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Attend the final hearing before a judge.
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Receive the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.
How To Get Divorce Papers In StJohns County
Divorce papers for StJohns County can be obtained through several methods:
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In person at the St. Johns County Clerk of Court, Family Law Division at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
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Online through:
- The St. Johns County Clerk of Court website
- The Florida Courts website (www.flcourts.org)
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By mail by sending a request to the Clerk's Office
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Through a family law attorney
The basic forms needed typically include:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Financial Affidavit
- Notice of Social Security Number
- Marital Settlement Agreement (if uncontested)
- Parenting Plan (if children are involved)
Forms cost varies, but expect to pay $1-$2 per page for copies. The filing fee for divorce in StJohns County is approximately $400, though fee waivers may be available for those who qualify based on financial need.
Lookup Divorce Records in StJohns County
St. Johns County Clerk of Court - Family Law - Access family law records, including divorce records, in St. Johns County.
Florida Department of Health - Divorce Certificates - Information on obtaining divorce certificates from the Florida Department of Health.
Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Codes, and Additional Laws - Legal framework governing public records, including divorce records, in Florida.
Request for Records Research and/or Copies Form - Form used to request research and copies of records from the St. Johns County Clerk of Court.