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Walton County Divorce Records

What Are Walton County Divorce Records?

Walton County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of a marriage dissolution in Walton County, Florida. These records are maintained by the Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller's office 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433. They contain information about the divorce proceedings, including the names of both parties, the date of divorce, and other relevant details. Divorce records are part of the public record system and serve as proof that a marriage has been legally terminated.

Are Walton County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in Walton County are considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law. This means that most divorce documents filed with the court are accessible to anyone who requests them. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted or sealed by court order to protect privacy. The Florida Department of Health 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399 also maintains records of divorces and can provide verification of divorce events, though with less detail than court records.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Walton County in 2025

To find a divorce record in Walton County in 2025, you can:

  1. Visit the Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller's office in person at 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
  2. Use the online records search system provided by the Clerk's office
  3. Submit a written request by mail to the Clerk's office
  4. Request a certified copy of a divorce certificate from the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042

You will need to provide basic information such as the names of the parties involved and the approximate date of the divorce.

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Walton County Online?

Looking up divorce records online in Walton County is straightforward:

  1. Visit the Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller's website
  2. Navigate to the "Court Records Search" or "Official Record Search" section
  3. Create an account if required (some basic searches may be available without an account)
  4. Enter search criteria such as names of the parties involved
  5. Review the search results and select the relevant case
  6. Pay any applicable fees for viewing or downloading documents

The Clerk's online system allows access to most public records, though some documents may only be available in person.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Walton County?

You can find divorce records for free in Walton County through several methods:

  1. Use the public access computers at the Walton County Clerk's office 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 to search records without fees
  2. Utilize the basic search functions on the Clerk's website, which often allow free access to case information (though document downloads may incur fees)
  3. Visit the Walton County Public Library 437 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 which may provide free access to public records databases
  4. Request to view records in person at the Clerk's office, where viewing (but not copying) may be free

While basic information may be available for free, certified copies and extensive searches typically involve fees.

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Walton County

Walton County divorce records typically include:

  • Names of both spouses
  • Date and location of the marriage
  • Date the divorce was finalized
  • Grounds for divorce
  • Property division agreements
  • Child custody arrangements and support orders
  • Alimony or spousal support details
  • Name change information (if applicable)
  • Judge's final decree and signature
  • Case number and filing date

The level of detail can vary depending on whether you're viewing a divorce certificate from the Department of Health or the complete court file from the Clerk's office.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Walton County?

To obtain proof of divorce in Walton County:

  1. Request a certified copy of the divorce decree from the Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433. This is the most comprehensive proof of divorce and includes all court orders.

  2. Obtain a Certificate of Divorce (Dissolution of Marriage) from the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. This certificate verifies the divorce occurred but contains less detail than the decree.

  3. For divorces after June 1927, you can request records from the state vital records office online, by mail, or in person.

Certified copies typically require payment of a fee and proper identification.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Walton County?

While most divorce records in Walton County are public, there are circumstances where aspects of a divorce can be kept confidential:

  1. The court may seal certain records if there is a compelling reason, such as:

    • Protection of minors
    • Domestic violence concerns
    • Sensitive financial information
    • Trade secrets or business information

  2. Certain information is automatically redacted from public view, including:

    • Social Security numbers
    • Bank account numbers
    • Children's information

To request confidentiality, parties must file a motion with the court explaining why specific records should be sealed. The judge will determine if the request meets legal standards for confidentiality.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Walton County?

The timeline for a divorce in Walton County varies:

  • Uncontested divorces (where both parties agree on all terms) can be completed in as little as 30 days after filing, though 60-90 days is more typical
  • Contested divorces (where parties disagree on terms) can take 6 months to over a year
  • Simplified dissolution of marriage (for couples with no children and limited assets) can be completed in approximately 30 days

Factors affecting timeline include:

  • Court caseload
  • Complexity of assets and debts
  • Child custody disputes
  • Whether both parties are cooperative
  • Attorney scheduling

The mandatory 20-day waiting period after filing applies to all Florida divorces.

How Long Does Walton County Keep Divorce Records?

Walton County maintains divorce records permanently. As official court records, divorce documents are preserved indefinitely by the Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller's office. This permanent retention policy ensures that proof of divorce is always available, regardless of how much time has passed since the divorce was finalized.

The Florida Department of Health also maintains divorce certificate records dating back to June 1927. These records are kept permanently and are available for certified copies regardless of when the divorce occurred.

How To Get a Divorce In Walton County

To get a divorce in Walton County, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure you meet Florida's residency requirement (at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for 6 months)

  2. Determine which type of divorce to file:

    • Regular Dissolution of Marriage
    • Simplified Dissolution of Marriage (if you qualify)

  3. Obtain and complete the appropriate forms from:

    • Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller's office 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
    • The Clerk's website
    • Florida Courts website

  4. File the completed forms with the Clerk's office and pay the filing fee (approximately $408)

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

  6. Attend required hearings and mediation sessions

  7. Finalize the divorce through a settlement agreement or court trial

  8. Obtain the final judgment of dissolution of marriage

If you cannot afford the filing fees, you can apply for a fee waiver based on financial hardship.

How To Get Divorce Papers In Walton County

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

  1. In person at the Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller's office 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

  2. Online through the Clerk's website (www.waltonclerk.com)

  3. Through the Florida Courts website (www.flcourts.org), which provides standardized forms

  4. From a legal aid organization such as Legal Services of North Florida 133 Staff Drive, Suite 1, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

  5. From a private attorney

The specific forms needed depend on your situation and may include:

  • Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
  • Financial Affidavit
  • Marital Settlement Agreement
  • Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (if children are involved)
  • Notice of Social Security Number
  • Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage

Most forms are available for free, though printing fees may apply if obtained in person.

Lookup Divorce Records in Walton County

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