Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage
Starting August 20, 2018, if you file a Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, you can get divorced the same day. You can only file a Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage if no children have been born during the marriage who are currently under the age of eighteen, and no children are expected by either party. Both parties must sign the Petition. A Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage may be filed in person or electronically. The instructions and procedures for both appear below.
In Person Filing
If you are filing a Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage in person, you may do so Monday through Friday at the Broward County Clerk of the Court located at 201 S.E. 6th Street, 4th Floor, Room: 04130, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301.
-Both parties must be physically present and each must present a valid form of State of Florida Photo Identification
-Upon filing, ask the Clerk of Court for a True Copy of the Petition or Settlement Agreement, and bring the True Copy to Unified Family Court Case Management on the 19th Floor in Room 19130.
-Unified Family Court Case Management will review your paperwork to ensure your case is ready for a Final Hearing before a Family Court Judge. Please note: Case Management will only review forms after filing at the Clerks Office up to 1:30 PM daily.
– If all of your paperwork is complete and your case is ready, you will then be brought to a Family Court Judge to conduct your Final Hearing. Parties can be brought before a judge for hearing in the morning between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. (Monday – Friday). If you need an interpreter, you must bring one with you.
Electronic Filing
If you are filing a Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage using the E-Filing Portal, both Parties can show up in person Monday through Friday at the Broward County Clerk of the Courts located at 201 S.E. 6th Street, 4th Floor, Room: 04130, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 within ten (10) days after submission of the electronic filing and no later than 1:30 p.m. on any given day.
-Inform the Clerk of Court that you electronically filed your Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage. Provide the Clerk of the Court the e-filing reference number and ask for a True Copy of the Petition or Settlement Agreement. Bring the True Copy to Unified Family Court Case Management on the 19th Floor in Room 19130.
-Both Parties must be physically present and present a valid form of State of Florida Photo Identification
-Unified Family Court Case Management will review your paperwork to ensure your case is ready for a Final Hearing before a Family Court Judge. Please note: Case Management will only review forms after filing at the Clerks Office up to 1:30 PM daily.
– If all of your paperwork is complete and your case is ready, you will be brought to a Family Court Judge to conduct your Final Hearing. Parties can be brought before a judge for hearing in the morning between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. (Monday – Friday). If you need an interpreter, you must bring one with you.
Disclaimer: There may be exceptional circumstances that prevent you from obtaining a divorce on the same day. In such circumstances, you will be directed to appear before a Family Court Judge on a specific date and time.