The Family Law Department of the Clerk’s Office handles the following types of cases:
Adoption
Child Support
Custody
Dissolution of Marriage (divorce)
Emergency Pick Up
Name Change
Paternity
By Florida law, the Clerk’s Office is prohibited from giving legal advice. The Family Law department is only empowered to accept the filing of your petition and/or forms and collecting filing and court fees. If you have questions or need assistance in filing your petition or forms, please contact the 4th Judicial Circuit’s Family Court Services or an attorney prior to coming to the Clerk's Office. You can also find additional resources that may be helpful at the bottom of this page.
Family Court Services
Family Court Services is a department of the 4th Judicial Circuit's Court Administration that provides assistance in filing a family law case. Case Managers can assist in obtaining checklists of necessary items, providing access to various family law forms, and advising about case status and court date information.
Duval County Courthouse: 501 W. Adams St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 - West Lobby Wing
Neptune Beach Branch: 1543 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266
By Mail to the following Address:
Duval County Clerk's Office
Family Law Department
501 W. Adams St
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Acceptable Payment Methods
By Mail: Money Order or Cashier Checks only (no personal checks accepted)
In Person: Cash, Credit Card, Money Order or Cashier Checks
Electronic filing: Credit Card only
*Please note there is a 3.5% nonrefundable charge to process on all Credit/Debit card payments.
*All checks and money orders should be made out to the Duval Clerk of Court.
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 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:
Jacksonville Area Legal Aide (JALA) 126 West Adams Street Jacksonville, FL 32202 Phone: (904)356-8371
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)346-5100
Jewish Family & Community Services Email: coparenting@jfcsjax.org Phone: (904)394-5865
You will be assigned a court date once all of your papers have been completed and filed. If you have served the other party via Summons, the Family Law Department must have the Original Summons and the Return of Service filed. The person that was served the documents has a total of 20 calendars days (excluding holidays) to respond to the court in writing. This 20 day period begins the day after the party is served and lasts until 5:00 p.m. on the 20th day. If that person does not respond within the time frame, you will need to file a Non-Military Affidavit and a Motion for Default with the court, and you will then be able to request a court date.
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.
Name Change FAQ's
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.
Paternity FAQ's
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.
Office Information
Family Law Department
Office Hours
Monday through Friday (excluding holidays): 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Mailing Address
Duval County Clerk of Courts
Attn: FAMILY LAW DEPARTMENT
501 West Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone
(904) 255-2000
Contact the Family Law department
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