Divorce records in Bay County, Florida, can be accessed through several channels. BayFLCourt.us can help find publicly available divorce record information for Bay County. You can also request records directly from the circuit court that issued the decree, the Bay County Clerk of Court & Comptroller, or the Florida Department of Health, which maintains statewide divorce certificates. The method you choose depends on whether you need a court file or a vital record certificate.
Bay County Divorce Records Search
Two offices maintain divorce records in Bay County. The Bay County Clerk of Court keeps all court case files for dissolutions of marriage filed in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. These files typically include the petition, final judgment of dissolution, property settlement agreements, parenting plans, custody orders, and any post-judgment modifications. The Florida Department of Health in Bay County issues divorce certificates — a shorter document that confirms a dissolution took place without the full case detail.
Court records are generally public under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, though certain financial disclosures and records involving minors may be restricted. You can search Bay County court dockets online through the Clerk's case search portal.
Bay County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Bay County
In Florida, divorce cases — formally called dissolutions of marriage — are handled by the circuit court in the county where the petition is filed. For Bay County, that is the Circuit Court of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. After a judge signs the final judgment, the Clerk of Court files and maintains the complete case record.
Separately, the Florida Department of Health in Bay County maintains divorce certificates for dissolutions that occurred anywhere in Florida from June 6, 1927, forward. These certificates verify that a divorce took place but do not contain the terms of the settlement or custody arrangements.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
- Full court file (decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, motions): Contact the Bay County Clerk of Court.
- Divorce certificate (verification that the dissolution occurred): Contact the Florida Department of Health — either the Bay County office or the state office in Jacksonville.
Bay County Clerk of Court — Court Records
Florida Department of Health in Bay County — Vital Records
The Clerk's office also provides divorce information packets with guidance on filing procedures and required forms approved by the Florida Supreme Court. For online searches of official recorded documents, you can use the Clerk's official record search tool.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Bay County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (Florida Department of Health) | $5.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Additional copies of same divorce certificate (same order) | $4.00 each | Included with initial order |
| Court record copies (non-certified, per page) | $1.00 per page | Same day to several business days |
| Certified court document copies | $2.00 per page (plus $2.00 certification fee) | Same day to several business days |
| Online court case docket search | Free | Immediate |