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Lake County Divorce Records

What Are Lake County Divorce Records?

Lake County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of a marriage dissolution in Lake County, Florida. These records are maintained by the Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court and contain information about divorce proceedings, including the final judgment of dissolution of marriage. Divorce records are part of the county's vital records system and serve as official documentation that a marriage has been legally terminated.

The Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains these records as part of their responsibility to document court proceedings and preserve important legal documents for the county.

Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court, 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778

Are Lake County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in Lake County are considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This means that most divorce case information is accessible to anyone who requests it. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted or restricted from public view.

Information that may be protected from public disclosure includes:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Bank account numbers
  • Children's information
  • Victims of domestic violence information
  • Financial affidavits

The Florida Supreme Court and Lake County courts have implemented privacy measures to protect sensitive personal information while still maintaining the public's right to access court records.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Lake County in 2025

To find a divorce record in Lake County in 2025, you have several options:

  1. Visit the Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court office in person Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court, 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778

  2. Submit a written request by mail to the Clerk's office

  3. Use the Lake County Clerk's online records search system

  4. Contact the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics for a certified copy of the divorce certificate Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231

When requesting records, you'll need to provide:

  • Full names of both parties
  • Date of divorce (approximate if exact date is unknown)
  • Case number (if known)
  • Valid photo identification

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Lake County Online?

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

  1. Visit the Lake County Clerk's Official Records Search portal at https://officialrecords.lakecountyclerk.org/
  2. Select "Court Records Search" from the available options
  3. You can search by:
    • Party name (last name, first name)
    • Case number
    • Date range
  4. For divorce cases, look under "Family Law" or "Domestic Relations" categories
  5. Review the search results and select the case you're interested in

The online system provides access to basic case information and some documents. However, certain confidential documents may only be available in person at the clerk's office.

Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court, 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Lake County?

There are several ways to access Lake County divorce records for free:

  1. Use the Lake County Clerk's public access terminals at the courthouse Lake County Judicial Center, 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778

  2. Visit the Lake County Library System, which may provide free access to public records databases Lake County Library System Headquarters, 2401 Woodlea Road, Tavares, FL 32778

  3. Use the Lake County Clerk's online records search system for basic case information

While viewing records online or at public terminals is free, obtaining certified copies or printed documents typically involves fees. Current fees for certified copies of divorce records are approximately $15 for the first page and $6 for each additional page.

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Lake County

Lake County divorce records typically include several key documents:

  1. Petition for Dissolution of Marriage - The initial filing that starts the divorce process
  2. Financial Affidavits - Disclosure of each spouse's financial information
  3. Marital Settlement Agreement - Details how assets and debts are divided
  4. Parenting Plan (if children are involved) - Outlines custody and visitation arrangements
  5. Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (if applicable)
  6. Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage - The court's final order granting the divorce

The Final Judgment typically includes:

  • Names of both parties
  • Date and place of marriage
  • Date of separation
  • Grounds for divorce
  • Property division details
  • Alimony arrangements (if any)
  • Child custody and support provisions (if applicable)
  • Name change authorization (if requested)
  • Date the divorce becomes final

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Lake County?

To obtain official proof of divorce in Lake County:

  1. Request a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage from the Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court, 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778

  2. Request a Certificate of Divorce from the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231

For a certified copy from the Clerk's office, you'll need:

  • Names of both parties
  • Approximate date of divorce
  • Valid photo identification
  • Payment of applicable fees (approximately $15 for the first page, $6 for each additional page)

For a Certificate of Divorce from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, you can apply:

  • Online through their website
  • By mail with a completed application
  • In person at their office The fee is approximately $5-15 per certificate.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Lake County?

While most divorce records in Lake County are public, there are provisions for keeping certain information confidential:

  1. Sealing Records: In rare cases, a judge may order entire divorce records sealed if there's a compelling reason, such as:

    • Protection from domestic violence
    • Child protection concerns
    • Trade secrets or sensitive financial information

  2. Confidential Information: Certain information is automatically protected:

    • Social Security numbers
    • Bank account numbers
    • Children's identifying information
    • Victims of domestic violence information

To request confidentiality for divorce proceedings, you must file a motion with the court explaining why confidentiality is necessary. The judge will determine if the need for privacy outweighs the public's right to access.

Fifth Judicial Circuit Court, 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Lake County?

The timeline for a divorce in Lake County varies depending on several factors:

  1. Uncontested Divorces:

    • Simplified Dissolution: 30 days minimum (required waiting period)
    • Regular Uncontested: 4-6 weeks after filing

  2. Contested Divorces:

    • Without children: 3-6 months
    • With children: 6-12 months
    • Complex cases with significant assets: 1-2 years

Factors that affect timeline:

  • Court backlog and scheduling
  • Complexity of asset division
  • Child custody disputes
  • Whether mediation is required
  • Cooperation between parties

Florida law requires a 20-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized, even if both parties agree to all terms.

How Long Does Lake County Keep Divorce Records?

Lake County maintains divorce records permanently. As official court records, divorce documents are preserved indefinitely by the Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court. This ensures that proof of divorce is always available for legal purposes.

Physical records may eventually be archived, but digital copies are maintained in the clerk's electronic system. The Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services establishes retention schedules for court records, and divorce records are classified as permanent records.

Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399

How To Get a Divorce In Lake County

To obtain a divorce in Lake County, follow these steps:

  1. Establish Residency: Either you or your spouse must have lived in Florida for at least 6 months before filing.

  2. Choose the Type of Dissolution:

    • Simplified Dissolution (if you qualify)
    • Regular Dissolution (contested or uncontested)

  3. Prepare and File Documents:

    • Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
    • Financial Affidavit
    • Notice of Social Security Number
    • Marital Settlement Agreement (if uncontested)
    • Parenting Plan (if children involved)

  4. File at the Lake County Clerk's Office and pay filing fees (approximately $400-$410) Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court, 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778

  5. Serve papers to your spouse (unless filing jointly)

  6. Complete mandatory parenting course (if children involved)

  7. Attend mediation (required in most cases with disagreements)

  8. Attend final hearing

For those who cannot afford filing fees, you can apply for a fee waiver by submitting an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status.

How To Get Divorce Papers In Lake County

Divorce papers for Lake County can be obtained through several methods:

  1. Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court website

    • Visit the Self-Help section for downloadable forms
    • Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court, 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778

  2. Florida Courts website (www.flcourts.gov)

    • Offers standardized family law forms approved by the Florida Supreme Court
    • Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399

  3. In person at the Lake County Courthouse

    • Self-Help Center provides forms and limited guidance
    • Lake County Judicial Center, 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778

  4. Legal Aid organizations

    • Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida
    • Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, 226 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778

Basic divorce packets cost approximately $10-20. If you need assistance completing the forms, the Self-Help Center can provide guidance for a fee of around $30 per session.

Lookup Divorce Records in Lake County

For comprehensive access to Lake County divorce records, the following resources are available:

Public Records Searches - Lake County Clerk - Access public records searches, including court records and official documents related to divorce in Lake County.

Dissolution of Marriage - Florida Courts - Find statewide information on the dissolution of marriage, including forms and self-help resources.

Lake County Clerk - Records Search - Search for official records in Lake County, including divorce records, using various search criteria.

Domestic Relations Benchguide 2024 - A comprehensive guide for judges and court staff on domestic relations, including divorce, providing statutes, rules, and case law.

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