DeSoto County Court Guide
Agricultural county in Southwest Florida known for Peace River and rodeo heritage. Arcadia is the county seat. Part of the 12th Judicial Circuit with Manatee and Sarasota.
Courthouse Location
DeSoto County Courthouse
DeSoto County is served by the 12th Judicial Circuit. All circuit court matters — including family law, civil, probate, and criminal — are handled through the DeSoto County Courthouse.
DeSoto County Courthouse
115 Oak St.
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-4876
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hours may vary — call to confirm
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
myflcourtaccess.com
Self-represented litigants may file electronically or in person. Electronic filing is not required for pro se filers.
Filing Fees
DeSoto County Filing Fees
Filing fees in DeSoto County are established by Florida Statutes and are consistent with the statewide schedule. Fees shown are approximate — always verify current amounts with the DeSoto County Clerk at desotoclerk.com before filing.
| Case Type | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of Marriage (Petition) | ~$408 |
| Child Support (non-divorce) | ~$300 |
| Paternity | ~$300 |
| Child Custody (non-divorce) | ~$300 |
| Name Change (Adult) | ~$400 |
| Domestic Violence Injunction | No fee |
| Small Claims (up to $8,000) | $55–$120 by amount |
| County Civil ($8,001–$50,000) | $300–$400 |
| Eviction — Residential | ~$185–$235 |
| Modification of Final Judgment | Reopen fee + applicable |
| Summons Issuance | $10 per summons |
| Certified Copy | $1/page + $2/certification |
Indigency fee waiver: If you receive public assistance (Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, SSI, or FTE), or if your income is below 200% of the federal poverty guideline, you may qualify for a waiver of court filing fees. Ask the clerk for an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status (Florida Statute §57.082). The clerk cannot give legal advice but can provide the application form.
How to File
Filing Documents in DeSoto County
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1
Download or prepare your forms
Florida Supreme Court-approved family law forms are free at flcourts.gov. For completed, Florida-specific automated documents, JusticeXpressFlorida.com offers affordable packages starting at $4.95.
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2
File in person or electronically
Bring your completed original forms to the DeSoto County Courthouse at 115 Oak St., Arcadia, FL 34266, or e-file through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Self-represented litigants may file electronically but are not required to do so.
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3
Pay the filing fee
Pay at the clerk’s window (cash, credit card, money order, or cashier’s check accepted at most locations) or electronically through the e-filing portal. If you cannot afford the fee, ask for an indigency waiver application.
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4
Serve the other party
After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of your filed documents. In most cases, service must be made by someone other than yourself — a process server, the Sheriff’s office, or another adult. The other party typically has 20 days to respond after being served.
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5
Track your case online
Most DeSoto County court records are available for free public search at myflcourtaccess.com or through the clerk’s official website at desotoclerk.com.
Self-Help Resources
DeSoto County Legal Self-Help
- DeSoto County Clerk of Courts — desotoclerk.com
- Florida Supreme Court — Free Family Law Forms
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal — myflcourtaccess.com
- FloridaLawHelp.org — Free Legal Information
- Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service — (800) 342-8011
- 12th Judicial Circuit Court Information
Document preparation vs. legal advice: The DeSoto County Clerk’s Office cannot give legal advice and cannot tell you which forms to use or how to fill them out. JusticeXpressFlorida.com is a document preparation service — we can help you complete court-ready documents but we are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. For complex matters, consult a Florida-licensed attorney through the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 342-8011.
ⓘ Court fees, hours, and procedures in DeSoto County change periodically. Always verify current requirements at desotoclerk.com before filing. JusticeXpressFlorida.com is a document preparation service, not a law firm. This guide is for general educational purposes only.