Baker County Public Records /Baker County Divorce Records

Baker County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Baker County in 2026

BakerRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Baker County, Florida. Members of the public may locate dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, case numbers, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include divorce decrees, petitions for dissolution, financial affidavits, parenting plans, and post-judgment modification orders.

Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records in Baker County.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Baker County Clerk of Courts maintains an online case search portal where members of the public may search dissolution of marriage cases by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for document copies.

2. State Court System Portal

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal provides access to court records across Florida jurisdictions, including Baker County. Members of the public may search consolidated case data across multiple counties through this statewide system.

3. State Vital Records

The Florida Department of Health maintains divorce certificates for dissolutions granted in Florida. As stated by the Department, "The certificate is issued as an abstract of the information taken from the judgment and is acceptable as evidence that a dissolution was finalized and granted." Fees apply for certificate requests.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court Family Division:

Baker County Clerk of Courts
339 E. Macclenny Avenue
Macclenny, FL 32063
Phone: (904) 259-8113
Baker County Clerk of Courts

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final judgments and decrees
- Staff assistance for locating archived records

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Baker County Clerk of Courts, 339 E. Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, FL 32063
Include the following with each request:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's contact information
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
Processing time: Requests are processed within 1–2 weeks, subject to volume and record availability

By Phone

Limited Information:

Clerk of Court: (904) 259-8113
Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information

Through Attorneys

Members of the public involved in complex dissolution matters may retain legal counsel to access court records on their behalf. Attorneys may request sealed documents upon a proper showing to the court. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service connects members of the public with licensed Florida attorneys.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Baker County
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Florida are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. Under Florida Statutes § 61.021, at least one spouse must have resided in Florida for six months preceding the filing of the petition. The divorce is filed in the county of that spouse's residence, not necessarily the county where the marriage occurred.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing
Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered

Older Divorces:

Records predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format
Archived cases may require additional retrieval time
Not all historical records have been digitized

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

Record filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
Case still pending and not yet finalized
Very old records held in off-site storage
Case sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk's office at (904) 259-8113 to request staff assistance
Attempt alternate name spellings for both parties
Search under both spouses' names
Check the Florida Department of Health vital records for a divorce certificate
Consult a licensed Florida attorney for sealed or complex records

What Are Baker County Divorce Records?

Baker County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Baker County Circuit Court. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts as part of the family law case file and constitute public records subject to Florida's public records law.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits from both parties
Parenting plans and timesharing schedules
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and notices
Transcripts of court hearings
Final judgment of dissolution of marriage

Final Decree

The final judgment of dissolution is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property and debts, alimony or spousal support provisions, child custody and timesharing arrangements, child support orders, and any court-ordered name restoration. Certified copies of the final judgment are available through the Clerk of Courts.

Supporting Documents

Original marriage certificate (submitted as exhibit)
Financial disclosure documents and tax returns
Property inventories and appraisals
Parenting plan attachments
Post-judgment modification orders

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Legal Purposes

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Name change documentation
Property transfer and title recording
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Immigration proceedings
Social Security benefit determinations

Personal Purposes

Genealogical and family history research
Personal record verification
Confirmation of divorce terms

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The Baker County Clerk of Courts serves as the primary custodian of all dissolution of marriage case files, indexes records by party name, and provides certified copies upon request. The Florida Department of Health in Baker County maintains divorce certificates as a separate vital record, offering an abstract of the final judgment for parties who require proof of dissolution without obtaining the full court file.

Legal Framework:

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Baker County are governed by Florida Statutes § 61.052, which establishes irretrievable breakdown of the marriage as the sole ground for dissolution in Florida. Public access to court records is governed by Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution and Florida Statutes § 119.01, which establishes the presumption that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any person.

Are Baker County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records in Baker County are public court records subject to Florida's broad public records law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or purpose. Certain categories of information within case files are restricted or redacted pursuant to court rules and state law.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of both parties (petitioner and respondent)
Attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and docket entries
Court orders and judgments
Final divorce decree
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information

Social Security numbers (redacted from all public filings)
Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
Detailed tax returns (may be filed under limited access)
Salary and income details (subject to partial restrictions)

Children's Information

Addresses where minor children reside
Schools minor children attend
Medical and psychological evaluations of children
Child custody evaluations (may be sealed by court order)
Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)

Sensitive Personal Information

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse records
Personal addresses of domestic violence victims
Medical records submitted as exhibits

Sealed Records:

A court may seal a dissolution case or specific documents upon a proper showing by a party. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Florida law and are not part of the public court record.

Who Can Access Records:

Requestor	Level of Access
General public	Public documents and docket entries
Parties to the case	Full access to own case file
Attorneys of record	Full case file access; may petition for sealed records
Law enforcement	Statutory access to restricted records
Researchers and media	Public portions; court permission required for sealed records

Restrictions on Use:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use such records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a court-issued protective order. News reporting, genealogical research, legal proceedings, and academic research constitute permitted uses under Florida law.

Obtaining Confidential Records:

A party seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the Baker County Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties. Certain entities, including child protection investigators and court-appointed evaluators, hold statutory access rights to restricted family law records.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Baker County?

The Baker County Clerk of Courts charges fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24, which establishes the schedule of service charges for clerks of court statewide.

Current Fee Schedule:

Service	Fee
Copies (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copies (per document)	$2.00 per certification + $1.00 per page
Electronic copies (where available)	Varies by document
Record search by staff	No separate search fee

Florida Department of Health Divorce Certificate Fees:

Service	Fee
Divorce certificate (first copy)	$5.00
Each additional copy (same order)	$4.00

What Is Available at No Charge:

Viewing case docket entries online through the court's public access portal
Inspecting records in person at the Clerk's office public access terminals (no copy fee for viewing only)

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person)
Check or money order payable to Baker County Clerk of Courts (mail requests)
Credit and debit cards (in-person and online, subject to processing fees)

Fee Waiver Provisions:

Members of the public who are parties to the case and who qualify as indigent may petition the court for a waiver of copy fees. The court determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Baker County

A complete dissolution of marriage case file maintained by the Baker County Clerk of Courts contains the following categories of documents.

Basic Case Information:

Case number, court name, and division
Names of petitioner and respondent
Judge assigned to the case
Attorneys of record and their contact information
Filing date and case type designation

Initial Pleadings:

Petition for dissolution of marriage, including marriage date and location, grounds for dissolution, children's information, property claims, and relief requested
Response or answer filed by the respondent, including any counterpetition
Financial affidavits from both parties detailing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities

Discovery Documents:

Tax returns and pay stubs
Bank, investment, and retirement account statements
Interrogatories and answers under oath
Requests for production and responsive documents

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory with descriptions and values
Debt inventory including mortgages, loans, and credit obligations
Real property appraisals and business valuations

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting plan specifying legal and physical custody, timesharing schedule, holiday provisions, and decision-making responsibilities
Child support calculation worksheet and support order
Custody evaluations and home studies (access may be restricted)
Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)

Support Documents:

Alimony or spousal support order specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
Income and standard-of-living analysis worksheets

Settlement Documents:

Marital settlement agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, support, and child-related provisions
Mediation agreement, if applicable (note: mediation communications themselves are confidential)

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property
Final judgment of dissolution of marriage, including equitable distribution findings, support orders, custody and timesharing provisions, and name restoration if requested
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts

Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):

Petitions to modify custody or support
Court orders on modification requests
Contempt motions and enforcement actions
Income deduction orders and liens

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence details (may be sealed)
Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
Mediation communications
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed agreements

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Baker County?

Members of the public seeking proof that a divorce was finalized in Baker County may obtain documentation through two primary channels: a certified copy of the final judgment from the Clerk of Courts, or a divorce certificate from the Florida Department of Health.

Certified Copy of Final Judgment (Clerk of Courts):

Identify the case number using the online case search or by contacting the Clerk's office at (904) 259-8113.
Submit a written request in person or by mail to the Baker County Clerk of Courts, 339 E. Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, FL 32063.
Include the names of both parties, the case number, and payment of applicable fees ($2.00 certification fee plus $1.00 per page).
The certified copy bears the court's official seal and is accepted as legal proof of dissolution.

Divorce Certificate (Florida Department of Health):

The Florida Department of Health in Baker County issues divorce certificates by mail or in person. As the Department notes, the certificate "is issued as an abstract of the information taken from the judgment and is acceptable as evidence that a dissolution was finalized and granted." Requests may be submitted to:

Florida Department of Health in Baker County
55 W. Macclenny Avenue
Macclenny, FL 32063
Phone: (904) 259-6291
Florida Department of Health in Baker County

Fee: $5.00 for the first copy; $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Accepted payment: Check or money order payable to Florida Department of Health
Requestors must provide the names of both parties and the approximate year of dissolution

Baker County Circuit Court (First District)
339 E. Macclenny Avenue
Macclenny, FL 32063
Phone: (904) 259-8113
Baker County Circuit Court

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Baker County?

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Baker County are presumptively public under Florida law; however, specific records or entire cases may be made confidential under defined circumstances.

Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Sealed or Restricted:

Domestic violence cases: Records containing the address or identifying information of a domestic violence victim may be made confidential upon motion to protect the safety of the victim.
Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and medical or psychological records of minor children are subject to restriction and are redacted from publicly accessible filings.
Mental health and substance abuse records: Medical and treatment records submitted as exhibits are restricted from public access under applicable state and federal privacy laws.
Sealed case orders: A party may petition the court to seal the entire case file upon a demonstrated showing that the privacy interest outweighs the public interest in access. The court issues a written order specifying the scope of sealing.
Mediation communications: Under Florida law, all mediation communications are confidential and are not filed with the court or made part of the public record.
Confidential settlement terms: Portions of settlement agreements designated as confidential by the parties may be filed under seal upon court approval.

Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the Baker County Circuit Court. The court applies a balancing test and provides notice to the parties before ruling. Florida's public records exemptions applicable to family law cases are codified in Florida Statutes § 119.071.

How Long Does Baker County Keep Divorce Records?

Baker County maintains dissolution of marriage records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Florida Division of Library and Information Services and applicable court rules.

Retention Periods by Record Type:

Final judgments of dissolution: Retained permanently. Final judgments are never destroyed and remain part of the permanent court record.
Complete case files (contested dissolutions): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, with permanent retention for cases involving significant property or custody determinations.
Uncontested dissolution case files: Retained for a minimum of 5 years following the close of the case.
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable case file retention period.
Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same retention schedule.
Archived paper records: Older records predating electronic filing are maintained in physical storage and may require additional retrieval time; they are not destroyed upon expiration of the standard retention period if the final judgment is involved.

Florida's court record retention requirements are established under the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration and the schedules adopted by the Florida Supreme Court. Members of the public seeking records from closed or archived cases should contact the Baker County Clerk of Courts directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.