Access Washington County Dissolution Of Marriage Files
Washington County dissolution of marriage records are handled through the county Clerk of Court and the Florida court system. People use these files to confirm a final judgment, track a pending case, or request a certified document. This page explains where Washington County dissolution of marriage records are stored, how online lookup tools work, and which office can issue official copies. If you are beginning a search, start with the county portal, then compare results with statewide court and health resources for the same dissolution of marriage records.
Washington County Record Access Snapshot
Washington County Dissolution of Marriage Office
Washington County residents file and retrieve dissolution of marriage records through the Clerk of Court. The clerk keeps the court index, case docket, and final judgments used in local family court matters. Most requests begin with a name search and a filing year. When the case number is known, retrieval is faster. Washington County offices can provide plain copies and certified copies based on the type of request.
Washington County clerk contact details from research list Lora C. Bell. The listed office address is 1293 Jackson Ave., Suite 101, P.O. Box 647, Chipley, FL 32428 and the listed phone number is 850-638-6289. Use those contact channels before visiting because hours and counter workflow can shift by division. For many requesters, a quick phone call confirms whether the file is in court records, official records, or both.
If a record is recent, check with the clerk first. The Florida Department of Health receives reports after county processing, so county records are often the first source for a new dissolution of marriage filing in Washington County.
| County Clerk | Lora C. Bell |
|---|---|
| Address | 1293 Jackson Ave., Suite 101, P.O. Box 647, Chipley, FL 32428 |
| Phone | 850-638-6289 |
| Circuit | 14th Judicial Circuit |
| Website | washingtonclerk.com |
Washington County Dissolution of Marriage Portals
Washington County filing details are listed at washingtonclerk.com. Court forms are posted at Florida Family Law Forms. Self-help guidance is available through Florida Courts Self-Help Information. Electronic filing runs through Florida e-filing portal. Official records tools are listed at Florida Official Records search.
Review Washington Clerk Homepage before you submit a Washington dissolution of marriage records request.
This source helps confirm where Washington dissolution of marriage records are filed, indexed, and copied.
Note: Always confirm index entries with the underlying document before relying on Washington County dissolution of marriage records for legal use.
How to Request Washington County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Start the Washington County dissolution of marriage records search online, then decide if you need an in-person records desk visit. Online lookup helps verify names, filing dates, and case style. In-person service is useful when you need certified copies or help locating older records that were scanned in batches. When the clerk office offers both court and official records tools, check both results before submitting a paid copy request.
Bring complete details for the search. A stronger request reduces follow-up delays. Use the same spelling that appears in court documents and include the county where the case was filed. If you do not know the exact year, ask for a narrow year range first, then expand if needed. The county clerk may apply per-page copy costs and certification costs depending on how many records you ask for and how the copies must be issued.
Most requests include:
- Full names of both spouses as filed
- Approximate filing or judgment year
- Case number when available
- Type of record needed: index, decree, or certified copy
- Contact details for response and payment instructions
For statewide abstracts, the Department of Health certificate process is listed at Florida Department of Health divorce certificates page. The county clerk still remains the best source for the full judgment in Washington County dissolution of marriage records matters.
Washington County Dissolution of Marriage Rules
Florida statutes control county filing standards. Under Florida Statute 61.021, one spouse must reside in Florida for six months before filing a petition. Under Florida Statute 61.052, the court may grant dissolution when the marriage is irretrievably broken or when a listed incapacity standard is met.
Proceedings begin in circuit court under Florida Statute 61.043. Final judgment timing is tied to Florida Statute 61.019, which sets a minimum period before entry of final judgment unless the court finds a valid reason to waive delay. Property division standards appear in Florida Statute 61.075.
County clerks also transmit records to the health system under Florida Statute 382.023. That statute explains reporting flow between county and state offices, which is why county copies and state certificates can appear at different times for the same dissolution of marriage records request.
Washington County Self-Help and Legal Support
Self-represented users in Washington County can use Florida Courts self-help pages and family law forms. The self-help program explains procedure and form routing, but court staff cannot offer legal advice. Start with Florida Courts Self-Help Information and then open the approved forms at Florida Family Law Forms.
DIY interview tools at DIY Florida document interviews can help people build court documents for family matters. If you need attorney referral support, use county and state bar channels listed by the clerk and statewide resources at Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers. For e-filing workflow questions, use Florida e-filing portal and the county clerk portal together.
Note: Keep copies of every submission and receipt for your Washington County dissolution of marriage records file.
Washington County Cities and Record Filing
Washington County dissolution of marriage records are filed at county level even when the petitioner lives in a city. City hall does not issue the final court judgment. Use county clerk resources for every city in the county, then use state links if you need a certificate abstract for another agency.