Filing for Divorce in Monroe County, Florida

Monroe County covers the entire Florida Keys. Unlike most Florida counties, it runs three separate courthouses instead of one: the Freeman Justice Center in Key West, the Marathon Courthouse in the Middle Keys, and the Plantation Key Government Center in Tavernier for the Upper Keys. Divorce cases fall under the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Which of the three locations handles your filing depends on where in the Keys you live.

Florida Statutes chapter 61 sets the dissolution of marriage process, and it stays the same no matter which Monroe County courthouse you use: the same six-month residency rule, the same grounds, and the same Florida Supreme Court approved forms apply. What changes by location is which building you go to and which staff answer your questions.

Monroe County's e-filing option through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal eases the geography problem: self-represented filers anywhere in the Keys can submit paperwork online instead of driving to Key West, Marathon, or Tavernier. The clerk's Family Court Services page is the starting point for case information, regardless of which courthouse hears your case.

The Keys stretch across roughly 120 miles of islands, so confirm with the clerk which specific courthouse handles your case type before you make the drive, especially if you live in the Upper or Middle Keys and would otherwise assume Key West is your only option.

Where you file in Monroe County, FL

Divorce cases in Monroe County, FL are handled by the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Monroe 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 Monroe 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 Monroe County, FL

If you live near Key Largo, Islamorada, or Tavernier, ask the clerk whether your case should be filed at the Plantation Key Government Center rather than driving all the way to Key West. Marathon residents have a similar option at the Marathon Courthouse. Not every family case type may be available at every location, so confirm before traveling.

The clerk's filing fee to open a dissolution of marriage case in Monroe County is generally around $408, though you should confirm the current figure with the Monroe County Clerk of the Circuit Court before filing. If you can't afford it, 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, you may qualify for Florida's simplified dissolution process. If you do have minor children, both parents need to complete the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course, with the petitioner completing it within 45 days of filing and the other parent within 45 days of being served, before a judge will enter final judgment.

Official divorce resources in Monroe County, FL

Freeman Justice Center handles divorce filings, located at 302 Fleming Street, Key West 33040. Phone: 305-292-3423. Marathon Courthouse at 3117 Overseas Highway handles Family filings for the Middle Keys. Plantation Key Government Center at 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 1 handles Family filings for the Upper Keys.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, available for filers anywhere in the Keys regardless of which of the three courthouses would otherwise handle their case.

Monroe County Clerk / Sixteenth Circuit Family Court Services (https://keyscourts.net/programs-services/family-court-services/) can help with procedure and paperwork. The Sixteenth Judicial Circuit's Family Court Services page is the main entry point for family case information across all three Monroe County court locations. A dedicated fee-based self-help center comparable to the larger circuits was not located; confirm current self-represented resources directly with the clerk.

• Family Court Services - Sixteenth Judicial Circuit
• Monroe County Clerk of the Circuit Court
• 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.

Monroe County, FL Divorce FAQs