Finding divorce records Volusia County isn’t always as intuitive as a quick Google search makes it seem. You’d think in 2026 everything would be a one-click deal, but bureaucracy has a way of staying, well, bureaucratic. If you're looking for a decree to prove you're single for a new marriage license or you just need to settle a debt issue from a decade ago, where you look matters.
Actually, the first thing people mess up is the difference between a "decree" and a "certificate." They aren't the same. Honestly, if you show up at the wrong office, you’re just going to waste a whole afternoon in DeLand or Daytona traffic.
The Big Confusion: Decrees vs. Certificates
A divorce decree is the "big" document. It's the one that has all the messy details—who gets the house, who pays child support, and how the retirement accounts got split up. In Volusia County, these are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
A divorce certificate is much slimmer. It basically just says "Person A and Person B are no longer married as of this date." It’s what the Florida Department of Health handles. If you just need to change your name on a passport or update your HR files at work, the certificate is usually enough. But if you’re heading back to court because someone isn't paying alimony, you need the full decree from the Clerk.
Where to Start Your Search
Most of the time, you can start online. Laura E. Roth, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, has a pretty solid digital system. But there’s a catch.
The 1988 Cutoff
The online "Official Records" index for Volusia generally goes back to April 4, 1988. If the divorce happened in the 70s or early 80s, you aren't going to find the actual images of the documents sitting on a server. You’ll likely see a reference to them, but to get the real deal, you’ll have to request a physical pull from the archives.
For anything newer, you can jump onto the Clerk’s website. You don’t even need a login for basic searches. Just search by name. Pro tip: less is more. If you search for "Jonathan Michael Richardson-Smythe," and the clerk typed it in as "Jon Richardson," you’ll get zero results. Start with the last name and the first initial to see what pops up.
🔗 Read more: Finding the Best Bra to Wear with Halter Top Outfits Without Constant Slipping
Visiting in Person
Sometimes the website is just cranky, or you need a certified copy with the raised seal. You can’t download a "certified" copy. You have to pay for that.
- DeLand Office: 101 N. Alabama Ave. This is the main hub.
- Daytona Beach Office: 125 E. Orange Ave. (The Steven C. Henderson Judicial Center).
They are usually open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Don't show up at 3:55 PM expecting a 50-page decree; the staff is helpful, but they have lives too.
What It’s Going to Cost You
Florida isn't known for being free. The fees are standardized, but they add up if you’re doing a deep dive.
- Standard Copies: $1.00 per page.
- Certification: $2.00 per document.
- Search Fee: If you don't have the case number and you want them to find it for you, it’s $2.00 per name, per year searched.
Basically, if you know the year and the names, you can get a certified 5-page decree for about $7.00. That’s cheaper than a sandwich in New Smyrna Beach these days.
Privacy and Restricted Records
You might be wondering: "Can everyone see my business?"
💡 You might also like: La Bandera de las Filipinas: Lo que la mayoría de la gente suele ignorar sobre su significado
Sorta. Divorce is a public record in Florida. However, since roughly 2002, Florida has been much stricter about sensitive info. Social Security numbers, bank account details, and names of minor children are supposed to be redacted from the public-facing versions.
If you are a "party" to the case (meaning you were one of the people getting divorced), you can usually see more than a random stranger can. If you need to see a "sealed" record, you’re going to need a court order. That’s a whole different headache involving a judge.
Why Some Records Are Missing
It’s frustrating. You search and search and... nothing. This usually happens for a few reasons:
- The Venue was Different: People often think they got divorced in Volusia because they lived in Ormond Beach, but if the paperwork was filed in Flagler or Seminole County, Volusia won't have a record of it.
- The Name Change: If a spouse reverted to a maiden name during the process, the record might be indexed under a name you aren't expecting.
- The "Simplified" Process: If it was a Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, the paperwork is much thinner and sometimes filed slightly differently in the system.
Actionable Steps to Get Your Records Today
If you need your divorce records Volusia County right now, follow this specific path to avoid the runaround:
📖 Related: Fort Collins 14 Day Forecast: Why These Winter Swings Are Actually Normal
- Step 1: Check the Case Management System. Go to the Volusia Clerk’s website and use the "Case Inquiry" tool. This is often more detailed than the "Official Records" search because it shows the docket—every single motion and order filed.
- Step 2: Note the Case Number. It usually looks like 2024-FM-12345. Having this number makes the clerk's life easier and your wait time shorter.
- Step 3: Decide on the Certification. If you are just curious, a screenshot is free. If you are doing something legal, buy the certified copy.
- Step 4: Use the State for Older Records. If the divorce happened before 1970 and Volusia is giving you a hard time, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. They have a master index for the whole state going back to 1927.
- Step 5: Pay via the E-Portal. If you can't make it to DeLand, you can actually request and pay for records through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, though the interface is a bit "90s internet."
Getting these documents doesn't have to be a nightmare. Start with the online index, have your credit card ready for the dollar-per-page fee, and make sure you're looking for the "Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage." That’s the specific phrase that unlocks most doors.