Filing for Divorce in Indian River County, Florida

File your divorce paperwork with the Indian River County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Courts hear cases at the Indian River County Courthouse in Vero Beach, part of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, which also covers Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties. The clerk's base filing fee to open a dissolution of marriage case is $408.00. That total climbs to $418 when a summons also needs to go out to the other spouse.

Florida Statutes chapter 61 sets the substantive rules for a dissolution case, and those rules apply the same way in Indian River County as everywhere else in the state. That includes the six-month residency requirement and the Florida Supreme Court approved forms. What differs locally is the clerk's fee schedule, the courthouse you'll use, and the Nineteenth Circuit's family court support resources.

The Nineteenth Circuit also runs a family mediation program for parties with combined annual gross income up to $100,000. Sessions currently happen remotely, and a program representative contacts both sides at least 48 hours before each scheduled session to arrange the remote appearance. Case managers in the circuit's Family Division answer procedural and status questions, but they cannot fill out forms or give legal advice.

Self-represented filers can e-file through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal instead of going to the courthouse in person. The clerk's own Domestic Relations page also walks through the local divorce filing procedure step by step.

Where you file in Indian River County, FL

Divorce cases in Indian River County, FL are handled by the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Indian River 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 Indian River 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 Indian River County, FL

Confirm the current fee total with the Indian River County Clerk before you file. The base dissolution filing fee is $408.00, and it climbs to $418 once a summons is issued. Most cases need a summons, since the other spouse usually hasn't already agreed to everything.

If your case involves minor children, the Nineteenth Circuit's standing order requires both parents to complete a state-approved parent education course. The petitioner must finish within 45 days of filing, and the other parent within 45 days of being served. A judge won't enter final judgment until that's done, under Fla. Stat. 61.21.

If you and your spouse can't agree on every issue, ask about the circuit's family mediation program. It's open to parties with combined gross income up to $100,000 a year and currently runs remotely. The mediation office calls each side at least 48 hours before the session to arrange the video or phone appearance. For scheduling questions, call the program directly at (772) 807-4370.

Official divorce resources in Indian River County, FL

Indian River County Courthouse handles divorce filings, located at 2000 16th Avenue, Vero Beach 32960.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The base filing fee is $408.00, rising to $418 total when a summons is also issued.

Indian River Clerk Domestic Relations / Nineteenth Circuit Family Division (https://indianriverclerk.com/court-services/domestic-relations/divorce/) can help with procedure and paperwork. The clerk's Domestic Relations page covers divorce filing procedure. The Nineteenth Circuit's Family Division page also points self-represented parties to the statewide Florida Courts Self Help Center and Florida Supreme Court approved family law forms at flcourts.gov.

• Indian River County Clerk - Divorce
• Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Family Division
• 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.

Indian River County, FL Divorce FAQs