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How Online Divorce Works in Florida
An online divorce in Florida is a regular dissolution-of-marriage case in which some or most of the paperwork, signing, notarization, filing and communication are handled electronically. It is not a separate type of divorce, and the divorce is still reviewed and finalized through the Florida court system.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to complete the intake, document preparation, signing, remote notarization and court e-filing without visiting an office or courthouse. However, service, publication, mediation or a court hearing may still be required in some cases.
Divorce in Florida Online is a Florida-based, nonlawyer document-preparation service. We have helped Florida residents with divorce paperwork for more than 15 years and serve all 67 counties.
Can You File for Divorce Online in Florida?
Yes. Florida Courts allows completed, signed and notarized documents to be submitted electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Self-represented filers may create an account and electronically submit qualifying court documents.
You can learn more through the official Florida Courts filing instructions.
Electronic filing is only one part of an online divorce. Before anything is filed, the correct documents must be selected, prepared, reviewed, signed and notarized when required.
After filing, the case must continue through the applicable court process until a judge signs and enters the final judgment.
What Parts of a Florida Divorce Can Be Completed Online?
| Part of the process | Can it be handled online? | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Initial intake | Yes | Information can be submitted securely without visiting an office. |
| Document preparation | Yes | The documents must match the filing path and issues involved. |
| Document review and corrections | Yes | Communication and revisions can usually be handled electronically. |
| Signing and notarization | Often | Remote notarization must comply with Florida law and identity-verification requirements. |
| Court filing | Often | The appropriate court and filing procedure must be used. |
| Case communication | Often | Court notices may arrive electronically, by mail or through the court docket. |
| Formal service | Not entirely | A sheriff or authorized process server may need to deliver the papers. |
| Mediation or hearing | Sometimes | Remote attendance may be available, but the court controls how an appearance occurs. |
| Final judgment | Court controlled | Only a judge can sign and enter the final judgment ending the marriage. |
How Our Florida Online Divorce Process Works
1. Tell Us About Your Situation
You begin by completing a secure online form. We ask questions about:
- Whether your spouse will cooperate
- Whether you know where your spouse can be located
- Whether minor children are involved
- Whether the marriage includes property or liabilities
- Whether support or other financial issues must be addressed
- Whether either spouse meets Florida’s residency requirement
We review the information to determine which document-preparation process appears to match your situation and whether the requested work is within our scope.
2. We Identify the Paperwork Process
There is no single online divorce packet that works for every Florida case. The documents and procedure depend on the circumstances.
The case may proceed through:
- Mutual agreement when both spouses agree and will sign
- Divorce by summons when the spouse must be formally served
- Divorce by publication when the spouse cannot be located after the required search efforts
A case may also require different documents depending on whether it involves children, property, debts, child support or alimony.
3. We Prepare the Divorce Documents
We prepare the documents using the information and decisions you provide. Depending on the case, the paperwork may include:
- A Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Financial affidavits
- A marital settlement agreement
- A parenting plan
- Child-support paperwork
- A summons and service documents
- Publication and search affidavits
- Supporting notices and proposed final documents
If you want to understand the filing requirements in greater detail, visit our guide explaining how to file for divorce in Florida.
4. You Review the Information
We send the prepared documents and instructions for review. You must confirm that names, dates, addresses, financial information and the decisions shown in the paperwork are accurate.
If information is missing or circumstances have changed, additional details or revisions may be required before signing or filing.
5. The Documents Are Signed and Notarized
Many Florida divorce documents require notarized signatures. Florida permits remote online notarization when the notarization complies with state law.
During a remote notarization, the signer generally appears before an authorized Florida online notary through secure audio-video technology and completes the required identity-verification process.
Florida’s remote-notarization procedures are addressed in Florida Statute §117.265.
When both spouses need to sign, they may complete separate signing and notarization sessions.
6. The Divorce Documents Are Filed
After the documents are properly signed and notarized, the case can be filed using the procedure that applies to the case.
Electronic filing can eliminate the need to deliver a paper packet to the courthouse. However, the clerk and court may still require additional documents, corrections, fees or procedural steps.
Filing the documents starts the case. It does not immediately end the marriage.
7. We Continue Helping With the Paperwork
We are not a website that generates forms and leaves you to determine what happens next.
As the case moves forward, we continue assisting with document preparation within our scope. This may include:
- Preparing additional documents requested by the court
- Correcting administrative filing deficiencies
- Preparing summons or service paperwork
- Preparing default documents when appropriate
- Preparing final documents
- Changing the paperwork process if a spouse stops cooperating
If the court requests something requiring legal advice, legal strategy or representation, you may need to consult a licensed Florida attorney.
8. A Judge Reviews and Finalizes the Divorce
The marriage ends only when a judge signs and enters the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.
Some qualifying mutual-agreement cases may be finalized without either spouse appearing at a final hearing. Other cases may require service, publication, mediation, testimony or a court appearance.
Our guide to the Florida divorce process after filing explains these stages in greater detail.
Is Online Divorce Only for Couples Who Agree?
No. Mutual agreement usually makes the process simpler, but online document preparation and electronic filing are not limited to uncontested cases.
Parts of a summons or publication case may still be handled online. However:
- A summons may need to be physically delivered by a sheriff or process server.
- A missing-spouse case may require a documented search and published legal notice.
- A disputed case may require mediation or a hearing.
- The court decides whether a remote appearance is permitted.
Online assistance can simplify the paperwork and communication, but it cannot eliminate every legal or court-controlled requirement.
Does Online Divorce Work the Same in Every Florida County?
Florida divorce law and Florida Supreme Court-approved family-law forms apply throughout the state. However, local procedures, supplemental documents, scheduling practices and court requirements may vary by judicial circuit and case.
This is one reason working with a Florida-based document-preparation service matters. We prepare the paperwork based on the information provided, assist with the filing process and continue helping with administrative document requirements as the case proceeds.
We serve Florida residents throughout all 67 counties. The appropriate filing procedure still depends on the case, applicable court requirements and the circumstances of the spouses.
Can an Online Divorce Be Completed Without a Court Hearing?
Sometimes. Qualifying mutual-agreement cases may be finalized without the spouses appearing at a hearing when:
- Both spouses properly sign the required documents
- Every issue has been resolved
- The filing is complete
- The case qualifies for the court’s applicable procedure
- The judge accepts the documents without requiring testimony
A no-hearing result is not automatic or guaranteed. Summons, default, contested and other cases may require an appearance.
Visit our guide to Florida divorce without a court hearing for more information.
How Long Does an Online Divorce Take in Florida?
The timeline depends on the type of case—not simply whether the documents were prepared or filed online.
Qualifying mutual-agreement cases handled through our process are often completed in approximately 30–45 days, depending on court processing and whether additional requirements arise.
Summons, publication and contested cases generally take longer because they involve response periods, service, publication, mediation, hearings or other court-controlled steps.
These timeframes are working estimates based on the types of cases our office handles. They are not guaranteed court deadlines.
For a more detailed timeline, visit our guide explaining how long a Florida divorce may take.
What an Online Document-Preparation Service Cannot Do
Divorce in Florida Online is not a law firm. We cannot:
- Provide legal advice
- Tell you what legal rights to pursue
- Decide what you should request from your spouse
- Represent you in court
- Negotiate with your spouse on your behalf
- Guarantee how a judge will rule
We prepare documents and provide administrative process assistance using the information and decisions supplied by our customers.
If you need advice about your legal rights, strategy, complex financial issues, domestic violence or disputed parenting matters, consult a licensed Florida attorney.
Why Choose a Florida-Based Online Divorce Service?
Many websites provide blank forms or automatically generated documents. Before choosing an online service, ask:
- Is the company based in Florida?
- Does it explain what is included?
- Will it assist with filing?
- Does it continue helping if the court requests additional paperwork?
- Can it handle mutual agreement, summons and missing-spouse cases?
- Does it clearly disclose whether it is a law firm or document-preparation service?
- Can you speak with a real person when you need administrative assistance?
Divorce in Florida Online has helped Florida residents for more than 15 years. Our Florida-based team prepares documents, assists with e-filing and continues helping with paperwork as the case moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an online divorce in Florida?
An online divorce is a regular Florida dissolution-of-marriage case in which some or most of the paperwork, signing, notarization, filing and communication are handled electronically. The divorce is still reviewed and finalized through the Florida court system.
Can you file for divorce online in Florida?
Yes. Completed Florida divorce documents can generally be filed electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The required documents, service procedure and need for a hearing depend on the type of case.
Is an online divorce legally valid?
Yes. An electronically filed divorce creates a regular court case and can produce the same type of final judgment as a case filed in person. The marriage ends only when a judge signs and enters the final judgment.
Do both spouses have to agree to use an online divorce service?
No. Mutual agreement usually makes the process simpler, but parts of summons and publication cases can also be handled electronically. Formal service, publication, mediation or a hearing may still be required.
Can Florida divorce documents be notarized online?
Yes, when the document and signing circumstances qualify. Florida permits remote online notarization when the notary and signing session comply with the applicable identity-verification, audio-video and recordkeeping requirements.
Does an online divorce eliminate the need for a court hearing?
Not always. Some qualifying mutual-agreement cases may be finalized without an appearance. Summons, default, contested and other cases may require a final hearing.
Does online divorce work exactly the same in every Florida county?
No. Florida law and statewide family-law forms apply throughout Florida, but local procedures, supplemental documents, scheduling practices and other requirements may vary by judicial circuit and case.
How long does an online divorce take in Florida?
The timeline depends on the filing path and court requirements. Qualifying mutual-agreement cases handled through our process are often completed in approximately 30–45 days, while summons, publication and contested cases generally take longer.
Tell Us About Your Situation
Tell us whether your spouse will cooperate, whether children or property are involved and whether you know where your spouse can be located. We will review the information to determine which document-preparation process appears to apply and whether the work is within our scope.
Questions? Call 800-474-1970.
Disclaimer: Divorce in Florida Online is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. We provide nonlawyer document-preparation and related administrative services. Court procedures and requirements may vary by case and judicial circuit. Consult a licensed Florida attorney if you need legal advice concerning your rights or circumstances.