Filing for Divorce in Bradford County, Florida

Bradford County divorce cases are filed and heard at the Bradford County Courthouse, 945 North Temple Avenue, in Starke, the county seat. Bradford shares the Eighth Judicial Circuit's one Self-Help Center with five other counties. That center sits an hour away in Gainesville, not inside the Starke courthouse.

A Bradford County dissolution of marriage falls under Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes. 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 full agreement on property and debts qualify for simplified dissolution on Florida Supreme Court Form 12.901(a). Both spouses sign it together before a deputy clerk.

The clerk's own service-fee schedule lists a 'Marriage Dissolution and Judgment fee' of $408.00. The underlying PDF's footer, though, reads 'Effective July 1, 2009 (Updated 12-02-14).' It's still the current document linked from the clerk's Public Notices and Court Forms page. Given its last confirmed revision date, call the clerk to double-check the figure before assuming it hasn't changed since 2014.

E-filing through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is mandatory for attorneys. Self-represented parties can still file paper documents at the Starke courthouse. Those who cannot pay may apply for a fee waiver under Florida Statute 57.082.

Where you file in Bradford County, FL

Divorce cases in Bradford County, FL are handled by the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Bradford 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 Bradford 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 Bradford County, FL

The Eighth Circuit Self-Help Center serving Bradford sits at the Family and Civil Justice Center, room 413, in Gainesville, not inside the Starke courthouse. Call (352) 548-3781. Staff help with procedure and hearing-setting but do not give legal advice.

Bradford's clerk links a fee schedule PDF with an older last-revision date than some neighboring counties post. Treat the $408.00 figure as the best currently published number, not a guaranteed current total. Confirm it by phone before mailing a payment.

Parents of minor children still need a completed, state-approved parenting course certificate from the Department of Children and Families' statewide provider list. A Bradford County judge won't finalize the case without it.

Official divorce resources in Bradford County, FL

Bradford County Courthouse handles divorce filings, located at 945 N. Temple Ave, Starke 32091.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Statewide e-filing portal.

Eighth Circuit Self-Help Center (serves Bradford from Gainesville) (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.

• Bradford County Clerk of Court
• Bradford Clerk Service Fee Charges (PDF)
• 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.

Bradford County, FL Divorce FAQs