Getting a copy of your divorce decree

So you got a divorce a few years ago and, maybe because you now want to get re-married or something, you need a copy of your divorce decree (which, in Florida, we call a "final judgment of dissolution"). No problem. All you need to know is what county you were divorced in.

Just call the clerk's office of the county in which you got divorced and give them your case number, if you have it. If not, they can look it up. Tell them you need a copy of your final judgment of dissolution, and they'll tell you how much it will cost. Cost is done based on the number of pages.

Once you get the information on how much it will cost, you write the clerk's office a letter giving them the case number, telling them you need a copy of the final judgment, enclosing a money order for the correct amount to "Clerk of Court," and enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope. They'll send it to you within a few days.

You may want to ask for a certified copy. It costs an extra couple of dollars, but it's worth it because some agencies may accept only a certified copy. When you call them, ask the clerk how much extra it will cost you for a certified copy. They may call it a "true copy" or a "conformed copy." Same thing.

Easy to do. No lawyer required. For once.