Filing for Divorce in Duval County, Florida

Jacksonville and Duval County share one government, so every divorce filed in the county goes to a single building: the Duval County Courthouse at 501 West Adams Street downtown. There's no branch courthouse to choose between, which makes Duval simpler than counties split across multiple family law locations.

A Duval County divorce is a Chapter 61 dissolution of marriage under Florida law. At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before filing. The petition states the marriage is irretrievably broken. Spouses with no minor or dependent children, no pregnancy, and full agreement on splitting property and debts can use the simplified dissolution track. That path uses Florida Supreme Court Form 12.901(a), signed by both parties together in front of a deputy clerk.

The Duval County Clerk's filing fee for a standard dissolution of marriage runs about $400. The clerk's site doesn't publish a current fee schedule, so confirm the exact amount with the Clerk's Office before filing. Attorneys must e-file through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Self-represented spouses may still file on paper at the downtown courthouse. Filers who can't pay can ask about a fee waiver under Florida Statute 57.082, through the clerk's Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status.

Contested Duval cases typically get referred to the Fourth Judicial Circuit's Alternative Dispute Resolution Unit for mediation before moving to a contested hearing. Many disputes settle once both sides sit down with a neutral mediator.

Where you file in Duval County, FL

Divorce cases in Duval County, FL are handled by the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Duval 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 Duval 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 Duval County, FL

Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties share the Fourth Judicial Circuit's Family Court Services Self-Help page. A Duval filer researching forms will see references to all three counties, not Duval-only material, but the checklists and packet instructions still apply directly to Duval filings. The Duval Clerk's own Family Law page adds a local layer on top of that, linking out to flcourts.gov for the actual Supreme Court-approved forms.

For mediation, call the ADR Unit's Duval and Nassau line at (904) 255-1090, open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The circuit states its small claims mediation is free, but family mediation fees aren't posted publicly. Ask about cost directly when your case gets referred.

Parents with minor children still need a state-approved parenting course certificate before final judgment. Pick a provider from the Department of Children and Families' statewide list, not a Duval-specific class, and file the certificate with the court before the judge signs off.

Official divorce resources in Duval County, FL

Duval County Courthouse handles divorce filings, located at 501 West Adams Street, Jacksonville 32202. Phone: (904) 255-2000.

The filing fee is about $400 (confirm exact amount with the clerk). E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Statewide portal, also named directly on the Duval Clerk's own Family Law page as the e-filing route.

Fourth Judicial Circuit Family Court Services Self-Help (https://www.jud4.org/family-court-services/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Serves Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties. Duval Clerk's own Family Law page links to Family Court Services checklists and to flcourts.gov for self-help forms.

• Duval County Clerk of Courts
• Fourth Circuit Family Court Services Self-Help
• Fourth Circuit Alternative Dispute Resolution
• 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.

Duval County, FL Divorce FAQs