Where to File for Divorce in Hillsborough County?
In Hillsborough County, you may file for divorce at three locations:
311 Pauls Drive, Suite 110, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-276-8100
Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
301 N. Michigan, Room 1071, Plant City, FL 33563
Phone: 813-276-8100
Business Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
800 E. Twiggs Street, Room 101, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-272-5894
Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
📋 The Requirements for Divorce in Hillsborough County
The only requirement to be eligible to file for divorce in Hillsborough County is to be a state resident. At least one of the parties must have lived in Florida for no less than 6 months before submitting the Petition and be able to provide proof of residency to the court.
📌 Filing for Uncontested Divorce in Hillsborough County
To file for an uncontested divorce with minor children involved in Hillsborough County, you need to take the following steps:
- Complete, sign, and notarize the forms required to start the case.
- Make copies of the documents.
- File the original set of papers with the court and pay a filing fee. If you cannot afford the fees due to low income, you may file a request to waive them and provide proof of your indigence.
- Attend a parenting class and file the certificate of completion with the court. This step is mandatory for both parties.
- Schedule the final hearing with the Case Management Unit.
- Bring the remaining divorce papers to the hearing and stand before the judge in the courtroom to discuss any issues covered in the Petition and Settlement Agreement.
- Once all matters are discussed and approved, the judge will sign the Final Judgment, finalizing your divorce.
In uncontested cases, the service of process is usually inapplicable since both parties agree to divorce, which simplifies and accelerates the process. If both spouses agree to sign the joint Petition and appear at a hearing, refuse from alimony, do not have any divorce-related disputes and underage children, and are waiving their right to a trial and appeal, the divorce procedure may be even quicker.
🗂️ Required Divorce Forms in Hillsborough County
A set of divorce papers required for filing in Hillsborough County depends on the specific situation of every separate family. The most common forms mandatory for all cases usually include:
- Petition
- Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases (12.928)
- Family Law Financial Affidavit
- Notice of Social Security Number (12.902(j))
- Notice of Related Cases (12.900(h))
- Answer, Waiver, and Request for Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (12.903(a))
- Marital Settlement Agreement (if the case is uncontested)
Some of these forms have several different versions depending on the income size (e.g., Financial Affidavits) or child involvement. Couples with minor children would also need:
- Parenting Plan (12.995 (a))
- Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit (12.902(d))
- Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (12.902(e))
In any case, clarifying the exact list of the required forms with the clerk is advisable.
💳 Hillsborough County Divorce Filing Fees
The fee for filing the initial Petition for marriage dissolution in Hillsborough County is $408. Additional fees would be required for filing supplemental motions, requests, counter petitions, etc., as well as for complementary services like copies, certification, notarization, mailing, serving the other party, and others.
To know for sure what expenses to expect, you may contact the clerk at the Hillsborough County Clerk of Courts website. They may also explain how to request a fee waiver and how to check your eligibility for it.
Start Divorce in 3 Simple Steps
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Check Your Eligibility
Answer several simple questions on our platform to see if our service is suitable in your specific circumstances.
Fill out a Questionnaire
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Print out the Papers
Download the completed documents from your account, print, sign, and notarize them to start the case with the local court.