Where to File Your Paperwork in Polk County?
So, in order to start your divorce in Polk County, you must file your paperwork with the Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Yeah, that simple. While your hearings may take place before a judge at the courthouse, all legal documents must be processed through the Clerk’s office first.
Address: 255 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830 (Official court records are handled at the Bartow headquarters).
Phone: (863) 534-4000
Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where to File: You can submit your documents in person at the Bartow office or use the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal to submit them online.
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Divorce Requirements: Do You Qualify?
To start, in order to file for divorce (legally it is called a “Dissolution of Marriage”) in Polk County, you or your spouse must have lived in the state of Florida for at least six months before filing the petition.
You will also need to provide proof of residency, typically through a valid Florida driver’s license, a voter registration card, or the sworn testimony of a witness (Affidavit of Corroborating Witness). You might choose to use an online service (like ours right here) to get help with completing your divorce forms. That way, you can be sure that you meet these specific Florida statutory requirements and your case isn’t rejected for technical errors.
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Filing for an Uncontested Divorce (When Both Spouses Agree)
An uncontested divorce is the most efficient way to end a marriage in Florida. For more on that, if you have no minor children and agree on how to split your assets, you may qualify for a Simplified Dissolution of Marriage (btw you can also read about it in our Florida online divorce guide that we just finished) under Florida Family Law Rule 12.105.
The process generally follows these steps:
- File the Petition: You and your spouse file a “Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage” together. The standard filing fee in Polk County for 2026 is approximately $408.00.
- Financial Disclosure: Both parties must usually provide financial affidavits unless they specifically waive that requirement in a simplified case.
- Marital Settlement Agreement: You should have a signed agreement ready that outlines how you are dividing your property, bank accounts, and debts.
- The 20-Day Waiting Period: Florida law requires a mandatory 20-day waiting period from the date of filing before a judge can sign the final judgment.
- The Final Hearing: Unlike some states, Florida usually requires at least one (and often both) spouses to appear in person for a brief final hearing to finalize the divorce.
By using a service like ours, you can manage these timelines and ensure your Marital Settlement Agreement is drafted correctly before you ever head to the Bartow courthouse.
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Common Polk County Divorce Forms You Will Need
To complete your divorce, you will need a specific packet of Florida Supreme Court-approved forms. These include:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage: The primary document that starts the case.
- Family Law Software / Civil Cover Sheet: A summary page required for court indexing.
- Financial Affidavit: A detailed breakdown of your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
- Notice of Social Security Number: To comply with state identification laws.
- Affidavit of Corroborating Witness: Used to prove your six-month Florida residency.
- Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage: The document the judge signs to end the marriage.
If you have minor children, you will also need a Parenting Plan, a Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit, and Child Support Guidelines Worksheets.
You can find official forms through the Polk County Clerk’s website or the Florida Courts website. Using our online system simplifies this by populating these complex forms for you based on your specific situation.
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Divorce Filing Fees and Costs
As of 2026, the standard fee to file for divorce in Polk County is $408.00. There is also a small $10.50 fee for the final judgment and a $10.00 fee if you require the Clerk to issue a summons.
If you are unable to afford these fees, you can file an “Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status.” If the Clerk approves your application based on your income and expenses, the filing fees may be waived or deferred.
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