Filing for Divorce in Broward County, Florida

Broward County divorce cases go through the Broward County Clerk of Courts and get heard in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, at the Central Courthouse, 201 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale. Family Court Services, the circuit's family-case support office, sits inside that same building in Suite 19140. Self-represented filers handling a Broward dissolution case usually deal with one central building instead of several branch locations.

Florida Statutes chapter 61 sets the substantive rules for every dissolution of marriage case in the state. That means the six-month residency requirement, the grounds, and the required forms stay the same in Broward County as anywhere else in Florida. What changes locally is where you file, how the circuit schedules motions, and what support services Family Court Services offers.

Family Court Services in Broward runs court-ordered social investigations at no cost and connects people with outside providers for services like parenting coordination, anger management classes, and supervised visitation. Those referred services can carry their own separate cost, depending on the provider. FCS keeps regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.

The Seventeenth Circuit also publishes local rules covering how certain motions move through its Uniform Motion Calendar, which affects how fast some procedural requests, like a motion to compel discovery, reach a judge. Self-represented filers can e-file a Broward dissolution case through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal instead of appearing in person.

Where you file in Broward County, FL

Divorce cases in Broward County, FL are handled by the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Broward 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 Broward 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 Broward County, FL

Broward centers its family court operations at the Central Courthouse, so most self-represented filers deal with a single building at 201 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale. That includes the Clerk's Family division and Family Court Services in Suite 19140. Call (954) 831-6770 to reach FCS directly with procedural questions.

The clerk's filing fee to open a dissolution of marriage case in Broward County generally runs around $409. Confirm the current figure with the Broward Clerk of Courts before filing. If the fee is out of reach, ask about an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status under Fla. Stat. 57.082.

If you and your spouse agree on everything and have no minor or dependent children together, ask the clerk about Florida's simplified dissolution process. It can move faster, since both spouses attend one final hearing together. If your case involves minor children, both parents need to finish the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course before a judge enters final judgment. Broward's Uniform Motion Calendar local rule also affects how certain motions in your case, like a motion to compel discovery, get scheduled.

Official divorce resources in Broward County, FL

Broward County Courthouse (Central Courthouse) handles divorce filings, located at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale 33301.

The filing fee is $409. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; in-person and mail filing also available through the Broward Clerk's Family division at the Central Courthouse.

Family Court Services (FCS), Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (https://www.17th.flcourts.org/family-court-services) can help with procedure and paperwork. Located inside the Central Courthouse, Suite 19140, 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale. Open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. Phone (954) 831-6770. Provides court-ordered social investigations at no charge and referrals to outside providers for parenting coordination, anger management, family counseling, parenting classes, and supervised visitation; those outside referrals can carry their own cost, though FCS tries to prioritize low-cost providers. Local Rule (Uniform Motion Calendar) (Uniform Motion Calendar - Ex Parte Motions to Compel Discovery, and Special Set Hearings) applies; see https://www.17th.flcourts.org/administrative-orders/.

• Family Court Services - Seventeenth Judicial Circuit
• Broward County Clerk of Courts
• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
• Fla. Stat. 61.031 - Simplified dissolution of marriage

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

Broward County, FL Divorce FAQs