Okeechobee County family court records are official files kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. These records cover divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence cases filed in the 19th Judicial Circuit.
The Clerk’s office at 312 NW 3rd Street in Okeechobee, Florida serves as the main hub for all family court files in the county. Anyone can look at most of these records online or by visiting the courthouse in person.
Who Keeps Okeechobee County Family Court Records
The Okeechobee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller keeps all family court records. This office works under Florida state law and the rules of the 19th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk stores, scans, and updates every family case file. The same office also handles fees, certified copies, and public access tools.
Office Location and Contact Details
The main office sits at 312 NW 3rd Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972. Visitors can call the office at (863) 763-2131 during business hours. The official website at okeechobeecclerk.com gives online search tools, downloadable forms, and fee schedules. The office uses the same building as the courthouse, so visitors can move between records and court hearings in one trip.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office | Okeechobee County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Address | 312 NW 3rd Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972 |
| Phone | (863) 763-2131 |
| Website | okeechobeecclerk.com |
| Judicial Circuit | 19th Judicial Circuit (Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie) |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Office Hours and Visitor Rules
The records counter opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The office stays closed on weekends and on state holidays. Visitors pass through a security checkpoint at the front door. A valid photo ID is required. Bags, cell phones, and other items may be screened before entry. Dress code is casual but clean and respectful.
Types of Family Court Records Available
Okeechobee County family court records cover all family law cases filed in the county. Each case type produces its own set of documents. Some files are open to the public. Others are sealed by court order and require a judge’s permission to view.
Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage
Divorce records show the full life of a marriage dissolution case. They start with the petition filed by one spouse and end with the final judgment. Files include summons, financial affidavits, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and the final divorce decree. Property division, debt division, alimony orders, and name change requests also appear in the file when part of the case.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing
Child custody files include petitions, responses, and court orders about where a child lives. These files hold parenting plans, time-sharing schedules, holiday schedules, and decision-making rules. Modifications to existing custody orders are also filed in the same case number. The Clerk keeps the full history from the first filing to the last order.
Child Support Orders and Payments
Child support records show the amount of support ordered by the court. Files include the child support worksheet, income information, and the final support order. Arrears, payment history, and enforcement actions are also kept in the file. Changes to support due to job loss, income change, or other life events appear as supplemental orders.
Paternity Cases
Paternity records establish the legal father of a child. Files include petitions to establish paternity, DNA test results, admissions of paternity, and the final order. After paternity is set, related matters like custody, time-sharing, and child support may be added to the same file or filed separately.
Adoption Records
Adoption files include the petition for adoption, the home study, the consent of the biological parents, and the final adoption decree. Most adoption records in Florida are sealed once the adoption is final. A person may need a court order to open a sealed adoption file.
Domestic Violence Injunctions
Domestic violence records include petitions for injunction, temporary injunctions, and final injunctions. These files also hold sworn statements from the petitioner and any related criminal documents. Some personal details may be redacted to protect the petitioner’s safety.
Dependency and Child Welfare Cases
Dependency records relate to cases where the state files a petition because of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Files include the shelter petition, the dependency petition, case plans, and review orders. These cases are heard in the family division but follow different rules than private family cases.
How to Search Family Court Records Online
Online search tools let users look at family court records from a home computer or mobile device. The Clerk’s office and the Florida Courts system both provide search portals. These portals show case status, party names, hearing dates, and final orders.
Using the Okeechobee Clerk Website
The Clerk’s website at okeechobeecclerk.com has an online records search tool. Users can search by name, case number, or filing date. The portal shows case type, party names, attorney of record, hearing schedule, and the date of the last action. Most family cases from 2000 forward are available online.
My Florida Court Access Portal
The statewide My Florida Court Access portal, also called the FCRC Portal, covers all 19th Judicial Circuit counties, including Okeechobee. Users can search by party name, case number, or citation number. The portal shows the case docket, scheduled events, and the county of filing. Free registration gives access to view records and pay fees.
Searching by Name and Case Number
Searching by name requires the full legal name of at least one party. Adding a date of birth helps narrow results when many people share the same name. Searching by case number gives the fastest and most exact results. Case numbers follow a standard format: a two-digit year, a two-letter case type code, a sequence number, and a county code. Okeechobee uses “OK” as the county code.
How to Search Family Court Records in Person
In-person visits give full access to all records in the file, including scanned images of every document. Some older records may not be online and can only be seen at the courthouse. Public computers are available at the Clerk’s office for self-service searches. Staff members can help visitors who need help using the search tools.
What to Bring for an In-Person Visit
Visitors should bring a valid photo ID, a written list of names or case numbers to search, and a method of payment. Cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards are accepted for copies. Visitors should know the approximate year the case was filed to help staff locate it faster.
Public Access Terminals at the Courthouse
Public access terminals sit in the lobby of the Clerk’s office. These computers connect to the same search system used by staff. Search results show the full case docket and links to scanned documents. Printed copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more than regular copies.
Fees for Records and Copies
The Clerk charges fees for copies, certified copies, and record searches. Standard copies cost a set amount per page. Certified copies cost more because they carry the Clerk’s seal. Searching records when no case is found may also carry a small fee under Florida law.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 (letter or legal size) |
| Certified copy (per document) | $2.00 plus copy fees |
| Record search with no case found | $2.00 per name per year |
| Fax filing fee | $8.00 per document |
| Online convenience fee | 3.5% of payment amount |
Requesting Certified Family Court Records
Certified copies carry the Clerk’s seal and serve as proof in legal matters, government agencies, and other courts. Anyone can request a certified copy of an open record. Sealed records require a court order before the Clerk can release a certified copy. The request can be made in person, by mail, or online through the Clerk’s records request system.
Mail Requests for Certified Copies
Mail requests must include the case number, the names of the parties, the documents needed, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the correct fee. A money order or check made out to the Okeechobee County Clerk of Court is accepted. Cash is not recommended by mail. Requests are processed in the order they arrive.
Online Records Request Portal
The Clerk’s online request portal lets users order certified and non-certified copies through the website. Users create an account, enter case details, pay the fee, and receive records by email or mail. Most requests are processed within three to five business days.
Sealed and Confidential Family Records
Some family court records are sealed by court order. Adoption records, juvenile dependency files, and cases involving domestic violence minors are often sealed. Sealed records cannot be viewed without a court order. The Clerk’s office cannot release sealed records even with a written request from one of the parties.
How to Request Access to Sealed Records
A person who needs access to a sealed record must file a written motion with the court. The motion must show a legal reason to open the file. A judge reviews the motion and decides whether to grant access. The Clerk receives the court order before releasing the record.
19th Judicial Circuit Court Structure
Okeechobee County is part of Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit. The circuit covers four counties: Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie. Circuit judges hear all family law cases in the circuit. Family court is one division of the circuit court. Other divisions include civil, criminal, probate, and traffic.
Family Division in the 19th Circuit
The Family Division handles all family law matters in the circuit, including divorce, custody, support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence. Each county in the circuit has its own Clerk office but follows the same rules and forms set by the chief judge of the 19th Circuit. Local administrative orders may add rules for each county.
Family Court Forms and Filings
Florida Supreme Court approved forms cover most family court filings. The forms are free to download from the Florida Courts website or the Okeechobee Clerk’s website. Forms cover petitions, responses, financial affidavits, child support worksheets, and parenting plans.
E-Filing Family Court Documents
The 19th Circuit uses the statewide e-filing portal for most family filings. Attorneys must e-file all documents. Self-represented parties can e-file or file paper copies at the Clerk’s office. E-filing requires a free account on the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Filings submitted before midnight on a business day are stamped the same day.
Privacy and Redaction of Personal Data
Florida law protects personal data in court records. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s names are often redacted from public online records. The Clerk follows Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 when posting records online. Sensitive data is removed before files appear on public portals.
Requesting Redaction of Personal Information
A party in a case can ask the Clerk to remove sensitive personal data from public view. The request must follow the form set by the Florida Supreme Court. A judge must approve the request before the Clerk redacts the record. Some data, like the case number and party names, stays in the public docket.
Visiting the Okeechobee County Courthouse
The Okeechobee County Courthouse stands at 312 NW 3rd Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972. The building sits near downtown Okeechobee, a short drive from US Highway 441 and State Road 70. Free public parking is available around the building. The courthouse has accessible entrances and restrooms for visitors with disabilities.
Contact and Location Summary
The Okeechobee County Clerk of Court serves as the main source for family court records. The office keeps case files, processes filings, and issues certified copies.
- Office: Okeechobee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Address: 312 NW 3rd Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972
- Phone: (863) 763-2131
- Website: okeechobeecclerk.com
- Judicial Circuit: 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common topics users ask about Okeechobee County family court records. The answers give clear steps and rules based on Florida law and Clerk office policy. Each answer reflects current public access rules as of 2026.
Are Okeechobee County family court records open to the public?
Most family court records in Okeechobee County are open to the public under Florida law. Divorce, custody, support, and paternity files can be viewed online or at the courthouse. Sealed records, adoption files after finalization, juvenile dependency records, and certain domestic violence files require a court order before access. The Clerk redacts sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s names before posting records online. Anyone can request to view an open record by searching the Clerk’s website or visiting the office in person.
How can I check if a divorce was filed in Okeechobee County?
You can search the Clerk’s online portal or the My Florida Court Access website by entering the spouse’s full legal name. Adding a date of birth and the year of filing makes the search more exact. The portal shows the case number, filing date, and the names of both spouses. If the case is not found online, the file may be too old to be digitized, and an in-person search at the courthouse may be required.
Can I view child custody records online?
Basic case information about child custody cases is available online through the Clerk’s portal. The portal shows party names, hearing dates, and the date of the last action. Full parenting plans and detailed time-sharing schedules may be available as scanned images in the online docket, but some sensitive details are redacted for privacy. The complete file is always available at the courthouse, where users can view all scanned pages through public access terminals.
How do I get a certified copy of a divorce decree?
You can order a certified copy online through the Clerk’s records request portal, by mail, or in person. The fee is set by Florida law and listed in the Clerk’s fee schedule. Mail requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope, the case number, and payment by check or money order. Online requests are processed within three to five business days. In-person requests are often completed the same day.
What information is redacted from online family court records?
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 controls the redaction of personal data in public court records. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and minor children’s names are removed from online records. Driver’s license numbers and home addresses of protected parties may also be redacted in domestic violence cases. The case number, party names, and docket entries remain visible in the public docket.
Can I access sealed adoption records in Okeechobee County?
Most adoption records in Florida are sealed after the adoption is final. A person who needs access must file a written motion with the court and show a legal reason. Adult adopted persons may be able to request a non-certified copy of the original birth certificate and adoption file through the Florida Department of Health after meeting legal requirements. The Clerk’s office cannot release sealed adoption records without a court order.
What should I do if I find an error in a family court record?
Errors in family court records must be corrected through a court order. A party can file a motion to correct the record with the family division. The judge reviews the motion and signs an order to correct the mistake. The Clerk updates the file once the signed order is received. Small clerical errors in the docket can sometimes be fixed by Clerk staff without a court order, but factual changes to the case require a judge’s approval.