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5th Judicial Circuit • Ocala

Marion County Court Guide

Home of the Ocala National Forest and Florida’s horse country. Ocala is the county seat and the largest city in the 5th Judicial Circuit. World Equestrian Center and extensive equestrian farms define the local economy.

Clerk: David R. Ellspermann Circuit: 5th Judicial Circuit Phone: (352) 671-5604 Website: marioncountyclerk.com
385K population
5th Judicial Circuit
~$408 divorce filing fee
$8,000 small claims limit
E-filing available statewide

Courthouse Location

Marion County Courthouse

Marion County is served by the 5th Judicial Circuit. All circuit court matters — including family law, civil, probate, and criminal — are handled through the Marion County Courthouse.

Clerk of Circuit Court

Marion County Courthouse

110 NW 1st Ave.
Ocala, FL 34475

(352) 671-5604

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hours may vary — call to confirm

E-Filing Portal

Florida Courts E-Filing Portal

Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
myflcourtaccess.com

myflcourtaccess.com

Self-represented litigants may file electronically or in person. Electronic filing is not required for pro se filers.

Filing Fees

Marion County Filing Fees

Filing fees in Marion County are established by Florida Statutes and are consistent with the statewide schedule. Fees shown are approximate — always verify current amounts with the Marion County Clerk at marioncountyclerk.com before filing.

Case TypeApproximate Fee
Dissolution of Marriage (Petition)~$408
Child Support (non-divorce)~$300
Paternity~$300
Child Custody (non-divorce)~$300
Name Change (Adult)~$400
Domestic Violence InjunctionNo 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 JudgmentReopen 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 Marion County

  • 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.

  • 2
    File in person or electronically

    Bring your completed original forms to the Marion County Courthouse at 110 NW 1st Ave., Ocala, FL 34475, 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 5
    Track your case online

    Most Marion County court records are available for free public search at myflcourtaccess.com or through the clerk’s official website at marioncountyclerk.com.

Self-Help Resources

Marion County Legal Self-Help

Document preparation vs. legal advice: The Marion 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 Marion County change periodically. Always verify current requirements at marioncountyclerk.com before filing. JusticeXpressFlorida.com is a document preparation service, not a law firm. This guide is for general educational purposes only.