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Hillsborough County Divorce Records

What Are Hillsborough County Divorce Records?

Hillsborough County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of the dissolution of a marriage within Hillsborough County, Florida. These records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and contain information about the divorce proceedings, including the names of the parties involved, the date of divorce, and other relevant details. Divorce records serve as proof that a marriage has been legally terminated and are essential for various legal and personal purposes.

Are Hillsborough County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in Hillsborough 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. However, certain sensitive information within these records may be redacted to protect privacy. In some cases, divorce records can be sealed by court order if they contain information that could cause harm if made public, such as details about domestic violence or child abuse.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Hillsborough County in 2025

To find a divorce record in Hillsborough County in 2025, you can:

  1. Visit the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court in person at the courthouse. 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

  2. Submit a written request to the Records Department.

  3. Provide the following information:

    • Full names of both parties involved in the divorce
    • Approximate date of the divorce
    • Case number (if known)
    • Your contact information

  4. Pay the required fee for record searches and copies.

  5. Allow processing time, which typically takes 3-5 business days for standard requests.

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Hillsborough County Online?

Hillsborough County offers online access to divorce records through the Clerk of Circuit Court's official website. To look up divorce records online:

  1. Visit the Hillsborough County Clerk's Official Records Search portal.

  2. Create an account if you don't already have one.

  3. Use the search function to find divorce records by entering:

    • Names of the parties involved
    • Case number
    • Date range

  4. Review the search results and select the relevant record.

  5. Pay any applicable fees to view or download copies of the documents.

The online system provides access to records dating back several decades, though older records may have limited information available digitally.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Hillsborough County?

You can find divorce records for free in Hillsborough County by:

  1. Using the public access computers at the Hillsborough County Courthouse. 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

  2. Visiting the Hillsborough County Public Library to access their legal research resources. Main Library: 900 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL 33602

  3. Using the Clerk's online records search for basic information (viewing basic index information is free, though obtaining copies may require payment).

  4. Requesting assistance from the Records Department staff for guidance on accessing free resources.

While searching for records may be free, obtaining certified copies will still require payment of the applicable fees.

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County divorce records typically include:

  1. Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
  2. Financial affidavits from both parties
  3. Marital settlement agreement (if applicable)
  4. Child custody and support arrangements (if children are involved)
  5. Property division details
  6. Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
  7. Name change information (if applicable)
  8. Court orders related to the divorce proceedings
  9. Certificates of completion for required parenting classes (for divorces involving minor children)
  10. Mediation agreements or outcomes

The comprehensiveness of the records depends on the complexity of the divorce case and whether it was contested or uncontested.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Hillsborough County?

To obtain proof of divorce in Hillsborough County:

  1. Request a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage from the Clerk of Circuit Court. 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

  2. Submit your request in person, by mail, or through the online portal.

  3. Provide the following information:

    • Full names of both parties
    • Date of divorce (approximate if exact date is unknown)
    • Case number (if known)
    • Your relationship to the case

  4. Pay the required fee ($7 for the first page and $8.50 for a certified copy).

  5. Present valid photo identification when requesting records in person.

For divorce certificates (different from court records), contact the Florida Department of Health's Office of Vital Statistics. 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Hillsborough County?

While most divorce records in Hillsborough County are public, there are ways to maintain some confidentiality:

  1. File a motion to seal records if you have legitimate reasons, such as:

    • Protection from domestic violence
    • Safeguarding sensitive financial information
    • Protecting children's privacy
    • Preventing identity theft

  2. Redact sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers, bank account details, and children's information.

  3. Consider mediation or collaborative divorce, which can keep some details out of court records.

  4. Consult with an attorney about privacy options specific to your situation.

A judge must approve any request to seal divorce records, and such approvals are granted only when the need for privacy outweighs the public's right to access.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Hillsborough County?

The duration of a divorce in Hillsborough County varies based on several factors:

  1. Uncontested divorces (where both parties agree on all terms) can be finalized in as little as 30 days after filing, though 60-90 days is more typical.

  2. Contested divorces (where parties disagree on one or more issues) can take 6 months to over a year, depending on:

    • Complexity of assets and debts to divide
    • Child custody disputes
    • Court calendar congestion
    • Whether mediation is successful
    • Attorney scheduling conflicts

  3. Simplified dissolution of marriage (for couples with no children and limited assets) can be completed in approximately 30 days.

Florida requires a 20-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized, even in the most straightforward cases.

How Long Does Hillsborough County Keep Divorce Records?

Hillsborough County maintains divorce records permanently. As official court records, divorce documents are preserved indefinitely in the county's record-keeping system. Over time, older physical records may be:

  1. Digitized for easier access and preservation
  2. Transferred to archival storage
  3. Maintained in microfilm format

This permanent retention ensures that proof of divorce remains available regardless of how much time has passed since the divorce was finalized. Even records from many decades ago can still be retrieved, though older records may require more time to locate and may not be available through online systems.

How To Get a Divorce In Hillsborough County

To get a divorce in Hillsborough County:

  1. Ensure you meet the residency requirement (at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for 6 months).

  2. Determine which type of divorce applies to your situation:

    • Regular Dissolution of Marriage
    • Simplified Dissolution of Marriage (if you qualify)

  3. Obtain and complete the necessary forms from the Clerk's office or online. Hillsborough County Courthouse: 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

  4. File the completed forms with the Clerk of Circuit Court and pay the filing fee ($408 for regular dissolution, $223 for simplified).

  5. Serve the divorce papers to your spouse (unless filing jointly in a simplified dissolution).

  6. Attend mandatory parenting classes if you have minor children.

  7. Complete financial disclosures as required.

  8. Participate in mediation if there are disputed issues.

  9. Attend all required court hearings.

  10. Receive the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage once approved by the judge.

How To Get Divorce Papers In Hillsborough County

To obtain divorce papers in Hillsborough County:

  1. Visit the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court's office in person. 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

  2. Download forms from the Hillsborough County Clerk's website.

  3. Visit the Self Help Center at the courthouse for assistance with paperwork. George E. Edgecomb Courthouse: 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602

  4. Contact Florida Courts Self-Help for guidance on form completion. Florida Courts Self-Help: 800 E. Twiggs St., Room 205, Tampa, FL 33602

  5. Consult with a family law attorney for personalized forms and guidance.

The specific forms needed depend on your circumstances, such as whether you have children, own property together, or are seeking alimony. Basic divorce packets typically cost between $10-$30 when purchased from the courthouse.

Lookup Divorce Records in Hillsborough County

For comprehensive access to divorce records in Hillsborough County, you can utilize these official resources:

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