Home › Guides › Where Do I File Divorce Papers in Sarasota County?
General information only. This is not legal advice. We are not attorneys and cannot tell you which forms or documents you need or what to put on them. Rules and forms change; confirm details with the official sources linked here.
The short answer
Divorce papers (called a petition for dissolution of marriage) are filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the case belongs. Which county applies is a legal question; the clerk can confirm.
Sarasota County resources
- Sarasota County Clerk: Divorce, which describes the packet types
- Sarasota County Clerk: Family Law Forms
- 12th Circuit Pro Se Program
- 12th Circuit: Before Filing
Filing online
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal accepts electronic filings. Its own filing without an attorney guide explains the steps.
Manatee, DeSoto, and nearby counties
Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties are in the 12th Circuit. Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties are in a different circuit, with different local forms and procedures, so check that county's clerk.
Before you file
Many forms must be signed in front of a notary before filing. We do mobile notary visits throughout the area, and we can type forms from your answers. For where and when to file, the clerk's office is the right source.
Need help with the paperwork?
Need help preparing, organizing, or getting your paperwork notarized? Visit our Court Filing Assistance page.
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