Florida Divorce Filing Fee and How to Get a Fee Waiver

Florida Divorce Filing Fee and How to Get a Fee Waiver

The base filing fee for a divorce in Florida ranges from $397.50 to $409.00 depending on which county you file in. For filers who cannot afford this, Florida law provides a formal fee-waiver process — but you have to apply correctly or risk having your case dismissed before it starts.

Filing Fees by County

The filing fee varies slightly across Florida's 67 counties because local administrative surcharges differ:

• Broward County (17th Circuit): $409.00
• Pasco County (6th Circuit): $408.00
• Lake County (5th Circuit): $397.50
• Manatee County (12th Circuit): $397.50

Most counties fall in the $400 to $410 range. Contact your local clerk of court for the exact amount before filing. On top of the base fee, expect:

• Summons issuance: $10.00 per summons
• E-filing convenience fee: 3.5% if paying by credit or debit card, or a flat $5.00 for electronic check (through myflcourtaccess.com)
• Final judgment recording fee: Included in the filing fee in most counties; $10.50 separately in Lake and Manatee counties

How to Apply for a Fee Waiver

Under Fla. Stat. § 57.082, filers who meet income and asset thresholds can have court fees waived entirely by applying for civil indigent status.

Step 1: Complete the application. File a Civil Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status at the same time you file your petition. The application asks for your household income, assets, liabilities, and number of dependents.

Step 2: Meet the eligibility threshold. The clerk evaluates your application using a formula based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines (updated annually each January). Generally, your net household income must be below 200% of the poverty level after deducting certain expenses. The specific dollar thresholds change each year, so check the current guidelines.

Step 3: Clerk approval. The clerk — not a judge — makes the initial determination. If approved, the filing fee and summons issuance fee are waived. Other costs like copies and transcript preparation are not waived but are deferred.

Step 4: Payment plan for deferred costs. To defer the remaining costs, you enroll in a payment plan with a one-time $25 administrative fee.

What If You Are Denied?

If the clerk denies your application, you can request a hearing before the judge to challenge the denial. At the hearing, you will need to present documentation of your financial situation (pay stubs, benefit statements, a list of expenses). The judge makes the final determination.

Payment Methods

Most Florida clerks accept cash, credit cards, debit cards, cashier's checks, and money orders. Several county clerks do not accept personal checks — verify with your local clerk before showing up. E-filing through myflcourtaccess.com accepts credit/debit cards and electronic checks.

Budgeting Beyond the Filing Fee

The filing fee is just the first expense. Factor in service of process ($40 to $100 for sheriff service, or $0 if your spouse signs a waiver), the parent education course ($25 to $50 per parent if children are involved), and certified copies of the final judgment ($2 to $5 per page for post-divorce administrative tasks).

The Florida Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a complete cost estimator plus step-by-step instructions for the fee-waiver application, so you know exactly what you will spend before you file.

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