Florida residents can complete an uncontested divorce entirely online through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, with filing fees of $408-$409 plus a $10 summons fee. Under Fla. Stat. § 61.19, the mandatory waiting period is only 20 days from filing—one of the shortest in the nation. Couples who agree on all terms and have no minor children may qualify for a simplified dissolution that finalizes in approximately 30 days.
Key Facts: Online Divorce in Florida
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $408-$409 + $10 summons (as of March 2026) |
| Waiting Period | 20 days minimum under Fla. Stat. § 61.19 |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months continuous residence by one spouse under Fla. Stat. § 61.021 |
| Grounds for Divorce | No-fault (marriage irretrievably broken) under Fla. Stat. § 61.052 |
| Property Division | Equitable distribution under Fla. Stat. § 61.075 |
| E-Filing Required | Mandatory for attorneys; optional for self-represented parties |
| Simplified Dissolution | Available for couples with no minor children, no pregnancy, no alimony |
| Typical Timeline | 30-45 days (uncontested) to 12-24 months (contested) |
What Is Online Divorce in Florida?
Online divorce in Florida refers to completing your divorce paperwork and court filings electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal without visiting a courthouse in person. The Florida Legislature and E-Filing Authority mandate this statewide portal, which allows 24/7 document submission with a single login. Under Fla. Stat. § 61.052, Florida grants divorce based solely on the ground that the marriage is irretrievably broken—no fault must be proven. This streamlined approach combines with electronic filing to make Florida one of the most accessible states for online divorce.
The e-filing system processes over 220,000 self-represented litigants annually alongside 82,000 attorneys and 1,400 judges. Document requirements follow Rule of Judicial Administration 2.520, requiring standard 8.5 x 11-inch documents scanned at 300 DPI resolution. When you file electronically, the clerk reviews submissions and either accepts them or pends them for corrections within 5 business days. Florida charges no additional fees for e-filing itself—only the statutory filing fees apply.
Who Qualifies for Online Divorce in Florida?
To file for online divorce in Florida, at least one spouse must have resided in the state continuously for 6 months immediately before filing under Fla. Stat. § 61.021. You can prove residency through a valid Florida driver's license, Florida voter registration card, or a third-party affidavit confirming your residence. Florida courts will dismiss your case without prejudice if you cannot demonstrate proper residency at filing. Military service members stationed in Florida may count their station time toward this 6-month requirement under Fla. Stat. § 61.021(2).
Online divorce works best for uncontested cases where both spouses agree on property division, debt allocation, and if applicable, child custody and support. Couples who meet all simplified dissolution requirements under Fla. Stat. § 61.052 can finalize their divorce in approximately 30 days. The simplified process requires no minor children, no pregnancy, mutual agreement on all terms, and waiver of alimony by both parties.
Simplified vs. Regular Dissolution: Which Online Path Is Right?
Florida offers two pathways for online divorce: simplified dissolution and regular dissolution. The simplified dissolution under Fla. Stat. § 61.052 is faster (approximately 30 days) but has strict eligibility requirements. Regular dissolution takes 30-45 days for uncontested cases but accommodates couples with children or more complex circumstances. Both pathways use the same e-filing portal and $408-$409 filing fee.
| Feature | Simplified Dissolution | Regular Dissolution |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Children | Not allowed | Permitted |
| Pregnancy | Not allowed | Permitted |
| Alimony | Both must waive | Can be requested |
| Property Agreement | Required before filing | Can be negotiated |
| Court Appearance | Both spouses required | One spouse may suffice |
| Timeline | ~30 days | 30-45 days (uncontested) |
| Forms Required | Fewer documents | Full packet required |
Simplified dissolution requires both spouses to appear at the final hearing together. Regular dissolution may allow one spouse to appear alone in certain counties, particularly Lee County where some online services file strategically to avoid court appearances for uncontested cases.
Step-by-Step: How to File for Online Divorce in Florida
Filing for online divorce in Florida involves six key steps that typically span 4 to 8 weeks for uncontested cases. The process begins with gathering required documents and ends with the court entering a final judgment of dissolution. Understanding each phase helps you navigate the system efficiently and avoid common delays that extend timelines unnecessarily.
Step 1: Verify Residency and Eligibility
Before filing, confirm that at least one spouse has lived in Florida continuously for 6 months under Fla. Stat. § 61.021. Gather proof of residency such as your Florida driver's license, voter registration card, utility bills, or lease agreements. If you plan to file for simplified dissolution, verify that you have no minor children, the wife is not pregnant, both parties agree to waive alimony, and you have already agreed on property and debt division.
Step 2: Prepare Your Forms
Download Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms from the Florida Courts Self-Help website at flcourts.gov. For regular dissolution with no minor children, you need the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form 12.901(b)(1)). For simplified dissolution, use the joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution (Form 12.901(a)). Additional forms include the Family Law Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or (c)) if your case involves support or property issues. Complete all forms using black ink or typed responses.
Step 3: Register on the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
Create a free account at the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The portal accepts registrations 24/7 and requires a valid email address for receiving court communications. Self-represented litigants should select the appropriate party type during registration. The system will guide you through county selection based on where you or your spouse resides.
Step 4: File Your Petition and Pay Fees
Upload your completed petition and supporting documents through the portal. Pay the $408-$409 filing fee plus the $10 summons issuance fee by credit card or electronic bank withdrawal. The portal charges a small processing fee (typically 3-4% for credit cards). If you qualify for indigent status under Fla. Stat. § 57.081—household income below 200% of the federal poverty level or approximately $29,160 for a single person in 2026—you can apply for a fee waiver through the portal.
Step 5: Serve Your Spouse
After filing, you must formally serve your spouse with the divorce papers. For simplified dissolution where both spouses file jointly, service is not required. For regular dissolution, you have several service options: personal service by the sheriff ($40 in Palm Beach County) or a private process server ($40-$75), service by mail with signed acknowledgment, or constructive service by publication for missing spouses (adds 2-3 months to timeline). Your spouse has 20 days to file a response after being served.
Step 6: Attend Final Hearing and Receive Judgment
Once the 20-day mandatory waiting period under Fla. Stat. § 61.19 passes and all paperwork is complete, the court schedules a final hearing. For simplified dissolution, both spouses must attend. For uncontested regular dissolution in some counties, only the petitioner needs to appear. The judge reviews your agreement, confirms both parties consent, and enters the final judgment of dissolution. You receive the status of single and unmarried from that moment.
Cost Breakdown: Online Divorce in Florida
A complete online divorce in Florida costs between $500 and $1,500 for uncontested cases where both spouses agree on all terms. The majority of this expense comes from mandatory court fees and optional service costs. Understanding the full cost structure helps you budget appropriately and identify where DIY approaches can save money versus when professional assistance provides value.
| Expense Category | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $408-$409 | Set by Fla. Stat. § 28.241; varies slightly by county |
| Summons Issuance | $10 | Required for regular dissolution |
| Service of Process | $40-$75 | Sheriff or private process server |
| Document Preparation Service | $100-$300 | Optional; DIY is free |
| Online Divorce Service | $159-$249 | Optional; generates completed forms |
| Notary Fees | $0-$15 | Some services include online notary |
| Certified Copies | $2-$3/page | For final judgment copies |
| Total DIY Cost | $458-$494 | Filing + summons + service only |
| Total with Service | $617-$793 | Including document preparation |
Fee waivers are available for applicants who qualify under Fla. Stat. § 57.081. The clerk reviews applications within 5 business days. Approved applicants receive waiver of the $408 filing fee, summons fee, and most court costs. A single person earning less than $29,160 annually in 2026 qualifies automatically.
Timeline: How Long Does Online Divorce Take in Florida?
An uncontested online divorce in Florida typically finalizes in 30 to 45 days from filing, though the legal minimum is just 20 days under Fla. Stat. § 61.19. The actual timeline depends on how quickly you complete paperwork, serve your spouse, and secure a hearing date. Contested divorces requiring litigation average 12 to 24 months, with complex cases involving business valuations or custody disputes exceeding 2 years.
| Case Type | Minimum | Typical | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simplified Dissolution | 20 days | 30 days | 45 days |
| Uncontested (no children) | 20 days | 30-45 days | 60 days |
| Uncontested (with children) | 20 days | 45-60 days | 90 days |
| Contested (negotiated settlement) | 20 days | 4-8 months | 12 months |
| Contested (full litigation) | 20 days | 12-18 months | 24+ months |
The 20-day waiting period begins when you file your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, not when your spouse receives service. Courts may waive this period on a showing that injustice would result from the delay, but judges grant such requests rarely—typically only for military deployment, time-sensitive real estate transactions, or documented emergencies.
Property Division in Online Divorce
Florida divides marital property through equitable distribution under Fla. Stat. § 61.075, which starts from the premise of equal division (50/50) unless factors justify an unequal split. The court first classifies assets as marital or nonmarital, then values marital assets as of the cut-off date, and finally distributes them equitably between spouses. Nonmarital assets—property acquired before marriage, inheritances, and gifts—remain with the original owner.
For online divorce, you and your spouse must agree on property division before filing (simplified dissolution) or reach agreement during the process (regular dissolution). Marital property includes all assets and liabilities acquired during the marriage, retirement benefits accrued during marriage, and real property held as tenants by the entireties. The cut-off date for classification under Fla. Stat. § 61.075(6) is typically the filing date unless a valid separation agreement specifies otherwise.
Factors that may justify unequal distribution include each spouse's contribution to the marriage including homemaker services, the economic circumstances of each party, the duration of the marriage, career or educational interruptions, contributions to a spouse's career advancement, desirability of retaining the marital home for children, and intentional dissipation or waste of marital assets. Document any such factors thoroughly if you seek unequal division.
Online Divorce with Children in Florida
Couples with minor children cannot use simplified dissolution but can still complete online divorce through regular dissolution if they agree on all parenting issues. Under Florida law, parents must file a Parenting Plan addressing time-sharing schedules, decision-making responsibility for education and healthcare, and communication methods between households. Child support follows the Florida Child Support Guidelines under Fla. Stat. § 61.30, calculating support based on both parents' incomes and the number of overnights each parent has.
Florida requires completion of the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course before finalizing any divorce with minor children. This 4-hour online course costs approximately $25-$40 and covers co-parenting communication, child development during divorce, and conflict resolution. Both parents must complete the course and file certificates of completion with the court.
If parents cannot agree on custody or time-sharing, the case becomes contested and no longer qualifies for streamlined online divorce. The court may order mediation before trial, adding weeks or months to the timeline. A contested custody case typically takes 8-12 months minimum and requires court appearances, potentially disqualifying it from true online divorce.
Common Mistakes That Delay Online Divorce in Florida
Several procedural errors commonly extend online divorce timelines by weeks or months. Incomplete forms are the most frequent issue—the clerk will pend your filing and require corrections within 5 business days. Failing to properly serve your spouse creates another delay; you cannot proceed to final hearing until you file proof of service or your spouse files a response. Incorrectly calculating the 20-day waiting period or attempting to schedule hearing before it expires will result in denial.
Other common mistakes include forgetting the Financial Affidavit when required, not having documents notarized properly, omitting required coversheet information, and selecting the wrong county for filing. Using outdated forms from unofficial websites instead of current Florida Supreme Court Approved forms triggers automatic rejection. Self-represented parties should download all forms directly from flcourts.gov to ensure compliance with current requirements.
When Online Divorce May Not Work
Online divorce is not appropriate for all situations. Contested cases where spouses disagree on property division, child custody, or support require court intervention and usually attorney representation. Cases involving domestic violence may need protective orders and should involve in-person court appearances for safety. Complex financial situations with business ownership, stock options, or retirement account division benefit from attorney guidance even if ultimately uncontested.
Missing spouse divorces—where you cannot locate your spouse—require divorce by publication under Fla. Stat. § 49.011. This process adds 2-3 months for publication requirements and typically costs $150-$300 for newspaper publication fees. While technically possible through online filing, these cases often require more court interaction than standard uncontested divorces.