Filing for Divorce in Alachua County, Florida

Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua County. Chapter 61 divorce cases are filed and heard at the Alachua County Courthouse, 201 East University Avenue. The county also hosts the Eighth Judicial Circuit's only Self-Help Center, at the Family and Civil Justice Center, room 413, which serves five other counties from that single Gainesville location.

To divorce in Alachua County, at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for the six months before filing. The petition must state the marriage is irretrievably broken. Couples with no minor or dependent children, no pregnancy, and agreement on splitting property and debts can use simplified dissolution. Both spouses file Florida Supreme Court Form 12.901(a) together and sign it before a deputy clerk.

A standard Alachua County dissolution costs $408 to file. E-filing through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is required for attorneys; self-represented parties can still file paper documents. Those who cannot afford the fee can apply for a waiver under Florida Statute 57.082.

The Eighth Circuit's Self-Help Center sits in Gainesville, so Alachua residents drive less than anyone else in the circuit to get in-person help. Filers from Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties travel farther.

Where you file in Alachua County, FL

Divorce cases in Alachua County, FL are handled by the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Alachua County. Because courthouse locations, hours, filing fees, and electronic filing options change over time and can differ between branches, use the Florida court clerk directory to confirm the current address and filing details for your case:

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

The Florida divorce process, step by step

Florida calls divorce "dissolution of marriage," governed statewide by Florida Statutes chapter 61. At least one spouse generally must have lived in Florida for six months before filing (Fla. Stat. 61.021). The core steps are:

1. File a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the circuit court.
2. Serve your spouse, or, if you are filing together and agree on all terms, file jointly and skip service.
3. Exchange mandatory financial disclosure, including a Financial Affidavit (Florida Supreme Court approved family law form 12.902(b) or 12.902(c) depending on income).
4. Reach a Marital Settlement Agreement, or ask the court to decide contested issues.
5. Attend a mandatory parenting course if you have minor children and your circuit requires one, then submit your final paperwork for the judge to enter a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.

The clerk's filing fee to open a dissolution case is generally around $409, and an application for civil indigent status is available if you cannot afford it (Fla. Stat. 57.082). Florida does not use a fixed statewide waiting period from filing to final judgment the way some states do; timing depends on your circuit's calendar, whether the case is contested, and how quickly required steps like financial disclosure are completed. Couples who agree on every term, have no minor children, and meet certain conditions may qualify for Florida's simplified dissolution of marriage process, which is faster.

Local notes for Alachua County, FL

The Eighth Circuit Self-Help Center is at the Family and Civil Justice Center, room 413, in Gainesville. Call (352) 548-3781. Staff help with procedure and getting a hearing set, but they cannot give legal advice or pick forms for you.

The circuit calls its mediation program informal and non-adversarial, with the parties, not a judge, making the decisions. The circuit's website does not list specific fees for family mediation in Alachua, so call the Self-Help Center to confirm the cost if your case gets referred.

Parents of minor children still need a completed, state-approved parenting course certificate before an Alachua County judge will finalize the case. Pick a provider from the Department of Children and Families' statewide list.

Official divorce resources in Alachua County, FL

Alachua County Courthouse handles divorce filings, located at 201 East University Avenue, Gainesville 32601.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Statewide portal covers Alachua along with every other Florida county.

Eighth Circuit Self-Help Center (https://circuit8.org/self-help/) can help with procedure and paperwork. Eighth Judicial Circuit Self-Help Center serves Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties from one location at the Family and Civil Justice Center, room 413, Gainesville; staff assist with procedure and hearing-setting but do not give legal advice or select forms. Phone (352) 548-3781.

• Alachua County Clerk of Court
• Eighth Circuit Self-Help Center
• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
• DCF Parenting Course Providers

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

Alachua County, FL Divorce FAQs