Child Support in Marion County, Florida

Marion County child support cases run through the Fifth Judicial Circuit, based in Ocala. File them with the Clerk of Court at the Marion County Courthouse, 110 NW 1st Avenue. This covers establishing a new order, modifying an existing one, and enforcing support that isn't being paid.

If the parents were never married and no court case exists, the Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Program can open an administrative case to establish paternity and set support, without a courthouse lawsuit. Once a Marion County circuit case is open, file later changes in that same case as a Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support, Form 12.905(b).

Every support figure in Marion County comes from the same statewide tool: the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Form 12.902(e), calculated under Fla. Stat. 61.30 using both parents' net income, time-sharing, health insurance premiums, and child care costs. A judge needs a statutory reason to depart from the guideline amount. Most Florida child support orders, this one included, also come with an Income Deduction Order under Fla. Stat. 61.1301, directing the paying parent's employer to withhold support straight from wages.

Marion County's Self-Help Office sits on the first floor of the courthouse, inside the Law Library. It reviews filings, including the Family Law Financial Affidavit (long form 12.902(b) for income of $50,000 or more, short form 12.902(c) below that), by telephonic appointment. Staff cannot give legal advice or tell you which forms to file.

How child support is calculated in Florida

Florida sets child support with a statewide income shares guideline (Fla. Stat. 61.30) that applies the same way in Marion County, FL as everywhere else. The guideline combines:

1. Both parents' net incomes, combined into one child support obligation.
2. The number of overnights each parent has with the child (the time-sharing schedule).

The guideline result is presumed correct, and the parties complete a Child Support Guidelines Worksheet along with a Financial Affidavit (Florida Supreme Court approved family law form 12.902(b) or 12.902(c)) so the court can calculate the amount.

Where child support cases are handled in Marion County, FL

Child support in Marion County, FL is handled through the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Marion County, and, for enforcement and establishment cases that do not involve a private attorney, the Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Program, which can open a case at no cost to the parents. There are two common paths:

1. A parent requests support inside a dissolution, paternity, or existing family case by motion, with a Financial Affidavit.
2. The Department of Revenue Child Support Program opens an administrative or court case to establish, collect, and enforce support.

Because courthouse and local agency office details change over time, confirm current details using the Florida court clerk directory:

Find the Marion County, FL Clerk of Court (Florida court clerk directory)

Local notes for Marion County, FL

Marion County's Self-Help Office doesn't have a walk-in counter or a fixed weekly schedule; it works by telephonic appointment only. Book ahead through MarionFamilySelfHelp@circuit5.org rather than showing up at the Law Library expecting to be seen right away.

Ocala is the largest population center in the Fifth Circuit, so Marion County's family division handles a heavy volume of filings. Self-represented parties should expect longer waits for hearing dates than in smaller circuit counties like Citrus or Sumter. Confirm current wait times with the Self-Help Office.

The Florida Department of Revenue has no walk-in office in Ocala or anywhere else in Marion County. DOR handles administrative child support cases by phone at 850-488-KIDS and through the childsupport.floridarevenue.com portal.

Official child support resources in Marion County, FL

Marion County Courthouse handles child-support filings, located at 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala 34475.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Statewide myflcourtaccess.com portal is mandatory for attorneys under Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.525; self-represented parties may still file paper documents in person at the Ocala courthouse or by mail.

Fifth Judicial Circuit Marion County Self-Help Office (https://www.circuit5.org/marion-county-family-court/) can help with procedure and paperwork. First floor of the Marion County Courthouse, inside the Law Library. Helps pro se litigants with procedural information and reviews filings for completeness by telephonic appointment, MarionFamilySelfHelp@circuit5.org. Staff cannot give legal advice.

• Marion County Self-Help Office
• Fifth Judicial Circuit Administrative Orders
• Florida Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (Form 12.902(e))
• Florida DOR Child Support Program
• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Marion County, FL Child Support FAQs