Hardee County Court Guide
Agricultural county in Central Florida known for citrus and cattle. Wauchula is the county seat. Part of the 10th Judicial Circuit with Polk and Highlands.
Courthouse Location
Hardee County Courthouse
Hardee County is served by the 10th Judicial Circuit. All circuit court matters — including family law, civil, probate, and criminal — are handled through the Hardee County Courthouse.
Hardee County Courthouse
417 W. Main St.
Wauchula, FL 33873
(863) 773-4174
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.
Small county note: Hardee County is one of Florida’s smaller counties with approximately 27K residents. The clerk’s office may have limited hours on some days. Always call ahead at (863) 773-4174 to confirm hours and availability before making the trip. For complex circuit court matters, parties may sometimes need to attend hearings at the regional circuit court location.
Filing Fees
Hardee County Filing Fees
Filing fees in Hardee County are established by Florida Statutes and are consistent with the statewide schedule. Fees shown are approximate — always verify current amounts with the Hardee County Clerk at hardeeclerk.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 Hardee 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 Hardee County Courthouse at 417 W. Main St., Wauchula, FL 33873, 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 Hardee County court records are available for free public search at myflcourtaccess.com or through the clerk’s official website at hardeeclerk.com.
Self-Help Resources
Hardee County Legal Self-Help
- Hardee County Clerk of Courts — hardeeclerk.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
- 10th Judicial Circuit Court Information
Document preparation vs. legal advice: The Hardee 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 Hardee County change periodically. Always verify current requirements at hardeeclerk.com before filing. JusticeXpressFlorida.com is a document preparation service, not a law firm. This guide is for general educational purposes only.