Family Law

You may file for a Dissolution of Marriage without an attorney. Self-help forms can be downloaded from Florida Courts Family Law Forms. You may wish to contact the 4th Judicial Circuit’s Family Court Services for assistance.

Section 61.19, Florida Statutes, states that no final judgment of dissolution may be entered until at least 20 days have elapsed from the date of filing the original petition. The Clerk’s Office cannot advise when a judge may enter an order in a particular case.

Yes, as long as you meet the residency requirement. Section 61.021 Florida Statutes states "To obtain a dissolution of marriage, one of the parties to the marriage must reside in the State of Florida for six months before the filing of the petition."

The Clerk’s Official Records and Research Department can assist.

Yes. The Legal Aid Service in Duval County is available by contacting:

Yes. Parenting classes are available through:

• Hope Haven Children's Clinic and Family Center
  4600 Beach Blvd.
  Jacksonville, FL 32207
  Phone: (904) 346-5100


• First Coast Behavior Solutions
  Email: parenting.fcsb@gmail.com
  Phone: (904) 200-7979


• Jewish Family & Community Services
  Email: coparenting@jfcsjax.org
  Phone: (904) 394-5865

• Positive Development LLC 

No one can help you fill out the forms except for an Attorney or Paralegal. If you have questions about which forms need to be filed, you may contact Family Court Services at (904) 255-1060.

All fees, including the filing fees, are non-refundable.

File a motion with the Court to appear by phone. That motion will be forwarded to the Judge who is hearing your case. The Court will issue an order either granting or denying your motion.

If you are unable to pay the filing fee(s) for the case, you may complete an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status, available in the Family Law Department. There is no fee for the form. If you are determined to be indigent, the filing fee(s) will be waived. However, the $12.00 administration fee is still applied.

• You must file a Petition for Change of Name (Minors, Adult or Family)
• INCLUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER ON EVERY DOCUMENT YOU FILE WITH THE COURT.
• You may choose to hire an attorney.
• You must pay a filling fee; see the Fees section, above, for the current amount.
• Before the final court hearing, you are required to include a set of fingerprints taken by an authorized provider, which will then be used for a criminal history background check.

No. All names can be changed by completing one form. This should be completed as part of your case.

No.

Name Change Fingerprint Information

Once a name change case has been filed with the Clerk of Courts, please contact the Sheriff's Office to schedule your fingerprint appointment.  There is a charge for fingerprinting with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office of $45.25.  The following ORI number will be required: FL92366OZ.

Once you receive your Fingerprint Card back from the Sheriff's Office, please bring it to the Clerk's Office for filing in your case.

You must file a petition to ask the court to establish paternity, a parenting plan, time-sharing schedule and/or support of a minor child. You may purchase the forms at any Clerk's office. Please contact us at the number below for more information.