In Florida, divorce records are considered public records under the state’s Sunshine Laws. This means that most of the information filed during divorce proceedings is accessible to the public. While this transparency promotes accountability within the legal system, it also raises concerns about privacy for those involved in divorce cases.
Most documents filed during a divorce, such as the petition for dissolution of marriage, court orders and final judgments, are part of the public record.
What could be made public?
These records may make public:
- Names of the parties involved
- Filing date and case number
- Property division details
- Spousal and child support orders
- Custody arrangements
Anyone can access public records by visiting the courthouse where the divorce was filed or through online court databases in many counties.
What won’t be made public?
With that said, while most aspects of divorce records are public, certain sensitive information is excluded to protect privacy. Examples include:
- Social security numbers
- Bank account details
- Confidential child-related information (e.g., adoption records or certain child protection cases)
- Medical records
In some cases, the parties involved can request to have additional information sealed, such as details about abuse, proprietary business information or other sensitive matters. However, sealing records requires court approval, and the request must demonstrate that privacy concerns outweigh the public’s right to access.
Thankfully, mediation and collaborative divorce processes that occur largely outside the court system are largely private. Only a former couple’s final agreement is filed with the court, reducing the amount of information in the public record. Therefore, those who have concerns about making their divorce details public may want to consider working with their ex – and their personal legal team – to settle their divorce-related concerns out of court.