Filing for Divorce in Okeechobee County, Florida

Okeechobee County is the smallest and most rural of the four counties in Florida's Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. It runs a single clerk's office and courthouse, not the multiple locations some neighboring counties have. File divorce cases with the Okeechobee County Clerk of the Circuit Court at 312 NW 3rd Street in Okeechobee. Courts hear these cases within the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, which also covers Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie counties.

Florida Statutes chapter 61 sets the rules for a dissolution of marriage case, and they apply the same way in Okeechobee County as anywhere else in the state. That includes the six-month residency requirement and the standard Florida Supreme Court approved forms. Okeechobee is a smaller county without multiple courthouses or a large in-person self-help center, so e-filing and phone contact with the clerk's office at (863) 763-2131 tend to be the fastest way to get routine questions answered.

Okeechobee shares the Nineteenth Circuit's family mediation program with its neighboring counties. The program serves parties with combined annual gross income up to $100,000 and currently runs remotely. The mediation office contacts both sides at least 48 hours before each scheduled session.

Self-represented filers can e-file directly through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which the clerk links from its own Services menu. This is an alternative to making the trip to the clerk's office in person.

Where you file in Okeechobee County, FL

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

Okeechobee doesn't have multiple courthouse locations, so most routine questions can be handled by phone with the clerk's office at (863) 763-2131, open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, rather than requiring an in-person visit.

Opening a dissolution of marriage case in Okeechobee County generally costs around $408 in clerk's filing fees. Confirm the current amount directly with the clerk before filing. If you cannot afford it, ask about an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status under Fla. Stat. 57.082.

If your case involves minor children, both parents need to complete the Nineteenth Circuit's required parent education course before a judge will enter final judgment. If you and your spouse disagree on any issue, the circuit's family mediation program is available to households with combined income up to $100,000 a year. Sessions currently run remotely, with advance scheduling coordinated by the mediation office.

Official divorce resources in Okeechobee County, FL

Okeechobee County Clerk of Court handles divorce filings, located at 312 NW 3rd Street, Okeechobee 34972. Phone: 863-763-2131.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, linked directly from the clerk's Services menu.

Okeechobee County Clerk self-help resources (https://myokeeclerk.com) can help with procedure and paperwork. The clerk's site lists self-help options including forms access, injunction e-filing, and FAQs, but no dedicated fee-based self-help center comparable to the larger circuits was located. Office hours Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.

• Okeechobee County Clerk of the Circuit Court
• 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.

Okeechobee County, FL Divorce FAQs