A marriage is a legal contract. Just like any contract, it does not end with a handshake. It ends with a court order. If you filed for divorce or were served with divorce papers, you might wonder when the whole thing becomes real. The truth is, a divorce is not official until a judge signs off. Until the court enters the final judgment, you are still legally married. No matter how long you’ve lived apart. No matter how bad the breakup was. No matter if both sides agreed to walk away. Words do not end a marriage. Paperwork does.
The Divorce Decree Is the Key
In Florida, the end of a divorce comes in the form of a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. That is the official court order that says the marriage is over. This document is signed by a judge and entered into the court record. Without it, the divorce is not final. The case may be in process. Temporary orders may be in place. Hearings may have been held. But unless the judge signs and the court clerk files the final judgment, you are not officially divorced. This is not a guess or a feeling. This is a fact written on paper.
Check the Court Records
If you are unsure whether you are officially divorced, there is one place to go. The clerk of court in the county where the case was filed. In Okaloosa County, that means the Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts. You can request a copy of the final judgment. You can search the case status online or call the clerk’s office. If a final judgment has been entered, it will be on file. The date on the judgment is the date your divorce became official. That is the day your marriage legally ended. Not the day you moved out. Not the day you signed the papers. The court’s stamp is what counts.
What If You Never Got the Paperwork?
Sometimes things fall through the cracks. Maybe the divorce was started but never finished. Maybe one side thought the other handled it. Maybe you assumed the court sent you something. But you never got anything. In that case, you are probably still married. It has happened before. One spouse remarries without knowing the divorce was never finalized. That creates a legal mess. In Florida, bigamy is a crime. So before moving on or changing your legal status, make sure your divorce is done. The safest way is to get a certified copy of the final judgment.
When Can You Say You’re Divorced?
You can only say you are officially divorced when a judge says so. The signed final judgment is the only thing that matters. Even if everything else is settled. Even if you have a new life. Until that judgment is entered, you are still married in the eyes of the law. That means your spouse could still have rights. Property could still be in both names. Debt could still be shared. And you may not be free to remarry. History shows us how details can change lives. The Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution. It was not the battles. It was the paper. The same is true for divorce. The paper ends the fight.
If you’re not sure where your divorce stands or need help checking your case, reach out today. At The Law Offices of T. Martin Knopes, we handle divorce cases with care and clarity. We’ll help you find answers and protect your future. Call 850-683-0700 or visit to get started.