Filing for divorce in Florida without an attorney costs $400-$410 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 6 months in Florida. Florida is a equitable distribution state with a 20 days (none for simplified) waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 1-3 months. Victoria AI guides you through every step with Florida-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | $400-$410 (The filing fee is approximately $400-$410 in most Florida counties. Miami-Dade: $409. Orange County: $400. Palm Beach: $410.) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months in Florida |
| Waiting Period | 20 days (none for simplified) |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (fair, not equal) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Marriage is irretrievably broken, Mental incapacity (3+ years) |
| No-Fault Only? | Yes |
| Uncontested Timeline | 1-3 months |
| Contested Timeline | 6 months to 2+ years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in Florida, you must meet the following residency requirement: 6 months in Florida.
At least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for at least 6 months before filing. Residency can be proven with a Florida driver's license, voter registration, or an affidavit from a third party.
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Florida's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in Florida without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
At least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for at least 6 months before filing. Residency can be proven with a Florida driver's license, voter registration, or an affidavit from a third party.
Download the official Florida divorce forms: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Family Law Financial Affidavit, Marital Settlement Agreement. All forms are available from the Florida courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (Form 12.901(a)/(b)/(c)) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the Florida court and pay the filing fee of $400-$410. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Florida rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Florida law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
Florida has a 20-day waiting period for regular dissolutions. However, for Simplified Dissolution (both parties agree, no children, no property disputes), there is no waiting period and the divorce can be finalized the same day as the hearing.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Florida, this typically takes 1-3 months. The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Florida. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
Initiates the divorce—version depends on children
Mandatory financial disclosure
If you agree on everything
Required if you have children
Final divorce decree
The filing fee to start a divorce in Florida is $400-$410. The filing fee is approximately $400-$410 in most Florida counties. Miami-Dade: $409. Orange County: $400. Palm Beach: $410.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $400-$410 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | $500-$1,500 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Florida offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in Florida, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Florida courts are strict about service requirements.
Florida is a equitable distribution state.
Florida is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital assets are divided fairly but not necessarily equally. The court considers factors like each spouse's contribution to the marriage, economic circumstances, length of marriage, and any interruption of careers.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Florida law applies to your specific property.
Florida uses the Income shares model.
Florida uses the income shares model, combining both parents' net incomes and allocating support based on parenting time. The guidelines consider health insurance costs, daycare, and the number of overnights each parent has.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Florida divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $400-$410 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
20 days (none for simplified) - Florida has a 20-day waiting period for regular dissolutions. However, for Simplified Dissolution (both parties agree, no children, no property disputes), there is no waiting period and the divorce can be finalized the same day as the hearing.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
Simplified Dissolution available (same-day divorce possible)
Mandatory disclosure under Rule 12.285
Parenting Plan required for all cases with children
No-fault only state
Alimony reform (types: bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational, permanent)
Mandatory parenting course for divorces with children
Common questions about filing for divorce in Florida without an attorney.
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All Florida divorce information verified from official state court sources.
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