Divorce attorneys in St. Lucie County charge $250–$400 per hour. An uncontested case — where both spouses agree on everything — can still cost $4,000–$12,000 in attorney fees before it's done. A contested divorce involving property, retirement accounts, or children can run $15,000–$40,000 or more. Florida courts fully support pro se (self-represented) filers, and the 19th Judicial Circuit processes uncontested divorces routinely without any attorney involvement. This guide walks you through every step of filing for divorce in St. Lucie County: the correct courthouse, filing fees, required forms, residency rules, and a clear process you can start today.
TL;DR — St. Lucie County Divorce Quick Reference
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Circuit | 19th Judicial Circuit |
| Clerk | Joseph E. Smith, Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller |
| Main Courthouse | 218 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950 |
| Branch Courthouse | 882 E. Midway Rd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 (civil/family) |
| Filing Fee | ~$408-$410 |
| E-Filing Portal | myeclerk.com or eportal.flcourts.org |
| Waiting Period | 20 days after service (FL Statute 61.19) |
| Residency Required | 6 months in Florida + 6 months in St. Lucie County |
| Avg Uncontested Timeline | 60-90 days |
Filing fees are paid directly to Joseph E. Smith, St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court -- they are NOT included in any document preparation service fee.
Port St. Lucie vs. Fort Pierce: Where Do You File?
This is the question that trips up more St. Lucie County filers than any other. Port St. Lucie is the larger city -- one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida -- but the main courthouse is in Fort Pierce, the county seat.
If you live in Port St. Lucie and search "Port St. Lucie divorce court," you might assume there is a courthouse there. There is a branch location, but the primary filing address for dissolution of marriage cases is:
St. Lucie County Courthouse 218 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950 Clerk: Joseph E. Smith
There is also a Midway Road Branch at 882 E. Midway Rd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34952, which handles some civil and family division matters. However, the Fort Pierce courthouse remains the primary location for family law filings in St. Lucie County.
If you e-file through myeclerk.com or eportal.flcourts.org (which is required -- see below), your documents are routed correctly regardless of which city you live in. But if you are visiting the clerk's office in person, the Fort Pierce address is your primary destination.
Port St. Lucie residents: Your case is filed in St. Lucie County regardless of whether you live in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Tradition, Vero Lake Estates, or any other St. Lucie County community. The county boundary -- not the city -- determines where you file.
Martin County and the 19th Judicial Circuit
St. Lucie County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers four Treasure Coast counties:
- St. Lucie County -- Fort Pierce (clerk: Joseph E. Smith)
- Martin County -- Stuart
- Indian River County -- Vero Beach
- Okeechobee County -- Okeechobee
Each county shares the same judicial circuit, but each has its own clerk of court and its own courthouse. If you file in the wrong county, your petition will be rejected or transferred.
Martin County boundary note: The border between St. Lucie County and Martin County runs through some dense residential areas. If you live near Palm City, Jensen Beach, or Hobe Sound, you may be closer to Stuart than Fort Pierce -- but what matters is which county your home is actually located in.
Are you in St. Lucie or Martin County? Check your deed or search your property address at the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser's website (slcpa.com) or the Martin County Property Appraiser (pa.martin.fl.us). Do not rely on your mailing address, ZIP code, or city name -- these do not always match county lines.
Martin County residents file at the Martin County Courthouse in Stuart -- not in Fort Pierce. The same 19th Circuit rules apply (19th Circuit judge, same FL Supreme Court forms, same waiting period), but the clerk, address, and case number prefix are different.
Indian River County (Vero Beach) is the next county north. If you live in the Vero Beach area, you file at the Indian River County Courthouse -- also in the 19th Circuit. We'll cover Indian River County in a companion post.
Snowbirds and Retirees: Establishing Domicile in St. Lucie County
Port St. Lucie was originally developed as a master-planned retirement community, and St. Lucie County still has a significant retiree and part-year resident population. Many residents spend part of the year in northern states and part of the year here -- which creates a real question about whether they qualify to file for divorce in Florida.
The 6-month residency clock starts when you physically move in -- not when you purchase property.
If you bought a Port St. Lucie condo two years ago but kept your Pennsylvania driver's license and spend six months a year in Pennsylvania, you likely do not qualify to file for divorce in St. Lucie County yet. Courts look at the full picture of domicile, including:
- Florida driver's license -- switching your license to a Florida DL is one of the strongest indicators of Florida domicile
- Florida voter registration -- registered to vote at your St. Lucie County address
- Financial ties -- bank accounts with a Florida address, Florida mailing address for financial statements
- Vehicle registration -- Florida plates registered to your St. Lucie County address
- Homestead exemption -- applying for homestead suggests Florida is your primary residence, but it alone is not conclusive proof of domicile
The 6-month clock also applies at the county level. If you have been a Florida resident for years but recently moved to St. Lucie County from, say, Palm Beach County, you need to wait 6 months in St. Lucie County before you can file here.
The concrete test: Did you physically move your primary residence to St. Lucie County at least 6 months ago, and have you been a Florida resident for at least 6 months? If both answers are yes, you likely meet the residency requirement.
Types of Divorce in Florida
Florida law provides three primary paths to dissolution of marriage:
Simplified dissolution of marriage: Available only when both spouses agree on all terms, have no minor or dependent children, do not want alimony, have disclosed all assets and debts to each other, and both agree to waive a final hearing. It is the fastest path but has strict eligibility requirements. Both parties must appear together at the courthouse to sign the final documents.
Uncontested dissolution (regular): Both spouses agree on how to divide property, handle children, and address support -- but only one party files. The other spouse is served and either signs a waiver of service or responds within 20 days. This is the most common path for pro se filers and typically resolves in 60-90 days.
Contested dissolution: The spouses cannot agree on one or more major issues -- division of assets, alimony, parenting arrangements, or child support. These cases require a judge to decide, often after mediation and possibly a full trial. Contested divorces can take 6 months to 2 years or more.
Step-by-Step: How to File for Divorce in St. Lucie County
Step 1: Confirm Your Residency
You need to have lived in Florida for at least 6 months AND in St. Lucie County for at least 6 months before filing. If you are a snowbird or recent transplant, verify your residency before you spend time and money on paperwork.
Step 2: Determine the Type of Dissolution
Decide whether you are filing a simplified dissolution (both parties cooperate fully), a regular uncontested dissolution (one party files, the other signs a waiver), or a contested dissolution (one party files, the other responds with disputes).
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
You will need: your marriage certificate, financial records (bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns, mortgage statements, retirement account statements), and any existing agreements about property or children. Florida requires full financial disclosure between spouses.
Step 4: Prepare Your Petition and Financial Affidavit
The core document is a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (FL Form 12.901(b)(1) if no children, 12.901(b)(2) if children). You also need a Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) for income under $50,000/year or Form 12.902(c) for income over $50,000/year). If you have minor children, additional parenting plan forms are required.
Step 5: E-File Through the Portal
Florida requires mandatory e-filing for all family law cases (per Administrative Order AOSC13-7). File through myeclerk.com or eportal.flcourts.org. You will pay the ~$408-$410 filing fee by credit or debit card at the time of submission. Once accepted, the clerk will assign a case number and issue a summons.
Step 6: Serve Your Spouse
Your spouse must be formally notified. Two options:
- Notarized Waiver of Service (Form 12.913(a)(2)): If your spouse agrees to cooperate, they sign a notarized waiver. This avoids the cost and delay of formal process service.
- St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office: The sheriff's civil process unit can serve your spouse for approximately $40. Once served, your spouse has 20 days to respond. If no response, you may file for a Default (Form 12.913(b)).
Step 7: Mandatory Financial Disclosure, Mediation (if Needed), and Final Hearing
Under Florida Family Law Rule 12.285, both parties must exchange mandatory financial disclosures within 45 days of service. If all issues are agreed, you can submit a Marital Settlement Agreement and request a final hearing. If issues are disputed, the court may order mediation before scheduling a trial. At the final hearing, a judge reviews the documents and enters the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.
Required Florida Supreme Court Forms
| Form Number | Form Name | When Required |
|---|---|---|
| 12.901(b)(1) | Petition for Dissolution (no children) | No minor children |
| 12.901(b)(2) | Petition for Dissolution (with children) | Minor children |
| 12.902(b) | Financial Affidavit (Short) | Income under $50k/yr |
| 12.902(f)(1) | Marital Settlement Agreement (no children) | No minor children |
| 12.902(f)(2) | Marital Settlement Agreement (with children) | Minor children |
| 12.995(a) | Parenting Plan | Minor children |
| 12.913(a)(2) | Waiver of Service of Process | Cooperative spouse |
| 12.913(b) | Default | Non-responsive spouse |
All forms are available free at flcourts.gov.
What a Document Preparer Can and Cannot Do
Florida law is clear about the boundary between document preparation and the practice of law. Here is where a registered document preparer like Pro Se Document Preparation can help -- and where that line ends.
A document preparer CAN:
- Prepare, type, and format your completed court forms
- Gather the forms you need for your specific situation
- Explain what each form is for and what information goes where
- Help you organize your financial documents for disclosure
- Provide notarization services for required signatures
- File documents on your behalf through the e-filing portal
A document preparer CANNOT:
- Tell you what legal strategy to use
- Advise you on how to divide property or negotiate terms
- Represent you in court or speak to the judge on your behalf
- Predict the outcome of your case
- Advise you on custody, child support calculations, or alimony amounts
- Prepare documents for contested cases where legal judgment is required
If your divorce involves disputed assets, disagreements about children, or allegations of domestic violence, consult a licensed Florida attorney.
St. Lucie County Self-Help Resources
The St. Lucie County Clerk's Office maintains self-help resources for pro se filers at the Fort Pierce courthouse. Clerk's staff can answer procedural questions -- how to file, what to bring, where to go next -- but they cannot give legal advice and will not tell you how to fill out your forms.
St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court 218 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950 Joseph E. Smith, Clerk
The Florida Courts website also maintains a full self-help center at flcourts.gov with all Florida Supreme Court approved family law forms.
Timeline: From Filing to Finalization
| Case Type | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Simplified dissolution (no children, full agreement) | 30-45 days |
| Uncontested (no minor children) | 60-90 days |
| Uncontested (with minor children) | 90-120 days |
| Contested (mediation resolves) | 6-12 months |
| Contested (goes to trial) | 12-24+ months |
The mandatory 20-day waiting period after service (FL Statute 61.19) means no uncontested divorce can close faster than about 30 days. Practical processing time at the 19th Circuit adds additional weeks.
Cost Comparison
| Path | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Attorney (uncontested) | $4,000-$12,000 |
| Attorney (contested) | $15,000-$40,000+ |
| Pro Se Document Preparation | $350-$850 |
| DIY (forms only) | ~$408 (filing fee) |
Attorney rates in St. Lucie County typically run $250-$400/hour. Even a "simple" uncontested case requiring 10-15 hours of attorney time adds up quickly. Document preparation services charge a flat fee to prepare your forms -- you pay the filing fee directly to the clerk, and you represent yourself in court.
Get started with Pro Se Document Preparation for Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
I live in Port St. Lucie. Do I file at the Port St. Lucie courthouse or Fort Pierce?
The main courthouse for St. Lucie County family law cases is at 218 S. 2nd St. in Fort Pierce -- that is the primary filing address. There is a Midway Road Branch at 882 E. Midway Rd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 that handles some civil and family matters, but Fort Pierce is the primary location. If you e-file through myeclerk.com, your documents are routed correctly regardless of which city you live in.
How do I know if I am in St. Lucie County or Martin County?
Do not rely on your city name or ZIP code -- these do not always follow county lines. Look up your property address at the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser (slcpa.com) or Martin County Property Appraiser (pa.martin.fl.us). Your deed will also list the county. Residents near Palm City, Jensen Beach, or Hobe Sound should double-check before filing.
I bought a condo in Port St. Lucie but kept my out-of-state driver's license. When does my residency clock start?
The 6-month residency clock starts when you physically establish Florida as your primary residence -- not when you purchase property. If you still have an out-of-state driver's license and spend a significant part of the year in another state, you likely have not started the clock yet. To establish Florida domicile, you should obtain a Florida driver's license, register to vote in St. Lucie County, and update your financial accounts to a Florida address.
How long does an uncontested divorce take in St. Lucie County?
Most uncontested cases without minor children resolve in 60-90 days from the date of filing. Cases involving minor children typically take 90-120 days due to the additional parenting plan requirements and financial disclosure obligations. The mandatory 20-day waiting period (FL Statute 61.19) means no case closes sooner than about 30 days from service.
Is e-filing mandatory in St. Lucie County?
Yes. Florida Administrative Order AOSC13-7 requires mandatory e-filing for all family law cases statewide. You must file through myeclerk.com or eportal.flcourts.org. Paper filing at the clerk's counter is no longer accepted for dissolution of marriage cases except in limited circumstances (such as when e-filing would cause undue hardship, with prior court approval).
What if I cannot afford the $408-$410 filing fee?
You may qualify for a fee waiver. File an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status (often called "Form 68") with the clerk at the time of filing. If approved, the court waives or reduces the filing fee. Income guidelines apply -- contact the St. Lucie County Clerk's Office for current thresholds.
Related Guides for Treasure Coast and South Florida Filers
If you are in a neighboring county, see these guides:
- How to File for Divorce in Palm Beach County, Florida
- How to File for Divorce in Broward County, Florida
- How to File for Divorce in Volusia County, Florida
Indian River County (Vero Beach) -- the next county north in the 19th Circuit -- is coming soon.
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Pro Se Document Preparation helps St. Lucie County residents prepare their divorce paperwork correctly the first time -- so your case doesn't get bounced back for a missing form or an incorrect financial affidavit.
Start your Florida divorce document preparation today
Pro Se Document Preparation is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We prepare documents only. For legal advice, contact the Florida Bar Referral Service at 1-800-342-8011.