Divorce records in Highlands County, Florida can be accessed through several channels. HighlandsCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Highlands County. You can also request records directly from the circuit court clerk's office that issued the decree, search the Highlands County Clerk of Courts online portal, or contact the Florida Department of Health, which maintains divorce certificates as part of the state's vital records system.
Highlands County Divorce Records Search
Divorce records in Highlands County are maintained by two separate offices, each holding different types of documents:
- Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller — maintains the complete court case file, including the petition for dissolution of marriage, the final judgment of divorce (decree), property settlement agreements, parenting plans, custody orders, and all related motions and filings.
- Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics — maintains a divorce certificate, which is a summary vital record confirming that a divorce was granted. This is not the full court file.
The Clerk of Circuit Court is the primary custodian of divorce case records in Highlands County. You can search court records online through the clerk's Court Records Search system or visit the office in person.
Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Highlands County
In Florida, divorce cases — formally called "dissolution of marriage" — are handled by the circuit court. Highlands County is part of Florida's Tenth Judicial Circuit, and the family law division of the circuit court processes all divorce filings in the county.
After a judge enters the final judgment of dissolution, that judgment and all associated documents remain on file with the Highlands County Clerk of Courts. The clerk also reports the divorce to the Florida Department of Health, which then creates a divorce certificate for its vital records collection.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
- For the full divorce decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, or any court filing — contact the Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court.
- For a divorce certificate (a summary vital record used for proof of divorce status) — contact the Florida Department of Health or the Highlands County Health Department.
Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
Florida Department of Health in Highlands County
The local health department office can assist with ordering divorce certificates. You may also order online through VitalChek or by mail. Visit the Highlands County certificates page for current ordering instructions.
Florida Department of Health — Bureau of Vital Statistics
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Highlands County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate from Florida Department of Health (first copy) | $5.00 | 3–6 weeks by mail |
| Divorce certificate — each additional copy (same order) | $4.00 | Same as above |
| Divorce certificate via VitalChek (online expedited) | $5.00 + VitalChek processing fee | 5–7 business days |
| Court record copy — standard (per page, from Clerk of Circuit Court) | $1.00 per page | Same day to several business days |
| Court record copy — certified (per page, from Clerk of Circuit Court) | $2.00 per page (certification fee may also apply) | Same day to several business days |