Filing for Divorce in Polk County, Florida

Polk County's main courthouse for filing a dissolution of marriage petition sits at 255 N. Broadway Avenue in Bartow, but not every family law hearing happens there anymore. Some Polk family matters have moved to the Northeast Government Center in Lake Alfred, so check the location printed on your notice of hearing rather than assuming Bartow. The filing fee is $408.

The Polk County Clerk's Self-Help Center covers dissolution with or without children or property, simplified dissolution, paternity, name changes, and enforcement actions. Packets are sold at both the Bartow and Northeast office locations, and the clerk also links TurboCourt for preparing forms online.

Couples with no minor children together, no property left to divide, and no alimony request can use the simplified dissolution process and attend one joint final hearing. Families with minor children instead need both parents to complete a parenting course before the judge finalizes the case.

Self-represented parties can e-file through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal or file paper forms in person. E-filing is mandatory only for attorneys.

Where you file in Polk County, FL

Divorce cases in Polk County, FL are handled by the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County, FL

Polk is a large, growing county split between Bartow and the Lake Alfred government center, so do not assume your hearing sits at the historic downtown courthouse. The clerk and the notice of hearing you receive will state the exact building and courtroom.

Call the Clerk's Office main line, (863) 534-4000, to confirm which office has your packet in stock and whether your case type is handled at Bartow, Lake Alfred, or both. As part of the Tenth Circuit, Polk shares the same virtual hearing infrastructure as Hardee and Highlands, including Zoom and Teams tutorials for remote appearances.

If your case is contested, expect a possible referral to mediation as part of standard Tenth Circuit case management. Ask the clerk or your assigned case manager whether that applies before you schedule a final hearing.

Official divorce resources in Polk County, FL

Polk County Courthouse handles divorce filings, located at 255 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow 33830. Phone: (863) 534-4000. Northeast Government Center at Lake Alfred, FL handles Some family law hearings have been moving here rather than the Bartow courthouse; confirm your hearing location on the notice you receive, not by assumption.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/. Polk County Clerk also offers TurboCourt, an interactive DIY tool for preparing Dissolution of Marriage forms with or without children, as an alternative to a paper packet.

Polk County Clerk Self-Help Center (https://www.polkclerkfl.gov/272/Self-Help-Center-DRAFT/1000) can help with procedure and paperwork. Covers dissolution of marriage with or without children, with or without property, and simplified dissolution, plus paternity, name changes, and civil contempt or enforcement. A dedicated Self-Help Center extension was not confirmed on the clerk's site; call the main Clerk's Office line, (863) 534-4000, and ask to be directed to Self-Help/DIY Court Resources. Packets purchasable at both the Bartow and Northeast office locations.

• Polk County Clerk Self-Help Center
• Tenth Judicial Circuit Self-Help
• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
• DCF Parent Education Course Providers

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

Polk County, FL Divorce FAQs