Divorce in Florida With Kids: Deadlines, Course, Certificate

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte

In a divorce in Florida with kids, the parent course has two deadlines: the parent who files must finish within 45 days after filing, and the other parent within 45 days after service. Each parent must also file proof with the court before the final judgment. Some circuits add earlier dates or an extra class, so check your local order as well.

Key Facts

Petitioner: finish the course within 45 days after filing the petition. See the deadline table.
Other parent: finish within 45 days after service of the petition. See counting the days.
Proof: each parent files proof before the final judgment. See proof before judgment.
Local dates: one circuit wants the course done before mediation. See local dates.
Certificate: issued by the provider at 70 percent or more, with unlimited attempts. See certificate rules.

Divorce in Florida With Kids: The Deadline Table

All of these dates come from section 61.21(5), Florida Statutes. The law also says each party “shall begin the course as expeditiously as possible.”

Who	Deadline	What starts the clock
Petitioner in a divorce	Within 45 days	Filing the petition
Other party in a divorce	Within 45 days	Service of the petition
Petitioner in a paternity case	Within 45 days	Filing the petition
Other party in a paternity case	Within 45 days	Acknowledgment or adjudication of paternity, or an order granting time-sharing or support
Each party	Before the final judgment	File proof of completion with the court

The statute does not list any other course deadline. Local orders may add one, as shown below.

Counting the 45 Days

The two parents can have different due dates. That is because filing and service happen on different days.

Here is plain date math. Say the petition is filed on January 10. Forty-five days later is February 24, so that is the petitioner’s date.

Now say the other parent is served on February 3 in a year that is not a leap year. Forty-five days later is March 20. That parent’s clock started later, so the date is later.

Your court may count days in its own way. Ask the clerk if you are unsure, and start early so the last day is not a problem.

Proof Before the Final Judgment

Finishing the course and filing proof are two steps. Section 61.21(5) says each party “shall file proof of compliance” with the court before the final judgment.

Some local orders are firm about it. The Ninth Circuit’s order 07-98-37-01 for Orange and Osceola says no divorce or paternity judgment involving parental responsibility will be granted without proof. It makes each party responsible for giving the certificate to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Other courts use their own words:

Broward Clerk. Each party must “immediately” file the Certificate of Attendance in the court file, per the clerk’s family page.
Fourth Circuit. Parties file the Certificate of Completion “in the Court file promptly,” per its standing order.

For filing steps, see how to submit your certificate.

Local Dates That Come Sooner

A circuit can set a stricter timeline than the statute. The Seventh Circuit is one example.

That circuit covers Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties.

Its order FM-2024-016-SC says parties must:

Enroll within 20 days.
Complete within 45 days.
Finish before mediation or trial. The course must be done before court-ordered mediation or before trial, whichever comes first.

That order also says parties who already completed a course and filed certificates are exempt. It is one circuit’s rule, shown here only to prove that local rules differ.

A sample 45-day course window for divorcing parents, from the filing date to proof in the court file — Divorce in Florida With Kids: Deadlines, Course, and Certificate 3

Why Starting Early Helps

The statute tells each party to begin “as expeditiously as possible.” There are practical reasons, too, and each one comes from the rules:

The time is fixed. DCF rule 65C-32.002 sets at least 4 hours. Online courses must block anyone from finishing in less.
Retakes take time. A score under 70 percent means a review before the next try.
Some courts name local classes. The Fourth Circuit lists three in-class programs, so contact the program early to sign up.
Filing is its own step. You still need to get proof into the court file before the judgment.

Starting soon after filing or service leaves room for all of this.

Local Rules That Add Requirements

Two local rules change what parents must do, not just when.

Miami-Dade (Eleventh Circuit). The court’s FAQ says both parents must attend a 4-hour course. A child aged 6 to 17 “must attend a 3½ hour class for children of divorcing parents.” This applies to divorce, paternity and custody-change petitions with a child under 18.

Duval, Clay and Nassau (Fourth Circuit). The standing family law order calls for “a similar qualified inperson program.” The circuit’s FAQ lists three local in-class programs. It says to register once you have your case number.

The same FAQ answer also points parents to DCF’s list of local and online providers. So ask the circuit’s Family Court Services which class applies to your case.

Children With Special Needs

The deadline is the same, but the course may be different. If the children have special needs or emotional concerns, section 61.21(4)(a) says the parties must select a course made for that. DCF keeps a separate list of those courses.

The court may also order a parent to take other classes on special needs. Those come on top of the required course, under section 61.21(12).

Taking the Course Apart

Parents do not have to take the course together. Section 61.21(10) says so.

Under section 61.21(11), the court can bar them from taking it together if there is a history of domestic violence. The Miami-Dade FAQ also says parents may attend separately.

So each parent can work on their own date. What you say during a session is not used in the case unless the parties agree in writing.

Fees and the Deadline

Cost should not stop you from meeting the date. Section 61.21(7) allows “a reasonable fee” per parent, and Florida sets no state price. DCF must list at least one site in each circuit that uses a sliding fee scale, if one is available.

Local pages may list their own fees. The Miami-Dade FAQ lists class fees and a fee waiver for incomes below federal poverty guidelines. That page is not dated, so confirm current fees with the court or provider.

The Certificate Rules

DCF rule 65C-32.004 sets how a parent earns the certificate:

Length first. The course must be at least 4 hours, including the end-of-course test, under rule 65C-32.002.
Pass mark. A score of at least 70 percent.
Retakes. Unlimited attempts. Missed material is reviewed before each retake.
No added fee. Providers may not charge more for the extra time or instruction.
Who issues it. The provider gives a certificate to each parent who finishes and passes.

The certificate must show the course name, the provider’s name and contact information, the curriculum name if any, and the dates you began and finished. Providers must be able to verify it and must keep copies for five years. No official rule sets how fast it is issued or when it expires.

The Parenting Plan Runs Alongside

The course is not the only parent task in the case. Florida law also calls for a parenting plan with a time-sharing schedule when the court approves a plan. The plan is a separate paper with its own rules under section 61.13.

The course does not create it. See the parenting plan vs the parent course for the difference.

If a Deadline Is Hard to Meet

Only the court can excuse a party from the course, or from finishing on time. Section 61.21(4)(b) requires good cause. The Ninth Circuit’s order adds that waivers need good cause shown in writing and “shall not be liberally provided.”

Missing the date has costs. Under section 61.21(9), a parent may be held in contempt, denied shared parental responsibility or time-sharing, or otherwise sanctioned.

The Ninth Circuit’s order also lists dismissal of the action or striking of pleadings. Ask the court or a family law attorney about your options.

What the Statute Does Not Say

Some timing questions have no statewide answer. Section 61.21 does not say whether a course taken before filing counts. Local practice differs:

Fourth Circuit. Its FAQ says to register once you have your case number.
Seventh Circuit. Its order exempts parties who already completed a course and filed certificates.

The statute also sets no expiry date for a certificate. If your situation does not fit the table above, ask your court before you act. For more, see when to take the parenting class.

Questions for the Clerk

Your clerk’s office is the place to ask about local filing steps. Useful questions include:

How does this court count the 45 days?
Where and how do I file my certificate?
Does this court accept an online or correspondence course?
Does this circuit have its own order on the course?

Common Mistakes

Each one is based on the statute or a court order:

Using the other parent’s date. Your 45 days start at your own trigger, filing or service.
Stopping at the certificate. Proof must also be filed with the court.
Ignoring a local order. One circuit wants the course done before mediation.
Assuming online works everywhere. The Fourth Circuit calls for an in-person program.
Forgetting the children’s class. Miami-Dade requires one for ages 6 to 17.

What We Found on the Official Pages

On the official pages we checked on October 26, 2026, section 61.21 in the 2026 Florida Statutes still set the 45-day deadlines. Its last change was in 2021.

The Ninth Circuit order was signed July 31, 2007, and was posted again in January 2026. The Seventh Circuit order was dated April 3, 2024. The Fourth Circuit’s standing order was signed April 22, 2021.

Key dates and certificate rules for Florida divorcing parents with children — Divorce in Florida With Kids: Deadlines, Course, and Certificate 4

How Requirements Can Vary

Section 61.21 of the Florida Statutes sets the course requirement for the whole state, and DCF approves the courses. Each judicial circuit can still add its own steps, such as how to file the certificate or which class formats it accepts. The Fourth Circuit (Duval, Clay and Nassau counties), for example, requires an in-person class.

Laws, court orders and local rules can change. Check your court’s instructions, your county clerk’s website and DCF’s provider list before you enroll or file.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the parent course due in a Florida divorce?

The petitioner must finish within 45 days after filing. The other parent must finish within 45 days after service.

Do both parents have the same deadline?

Not always. Each clock starts at a different event, so the due dates can differ.

Is finishing the course enough?

No. Each parent must also file proof with the court before the final judgment.

Who gives me the certificate?

The course provider. DCF’s rule says it goes to each parent who completes the course and scores at least 70 percent.

What if I fail the end-of-course test?

You review the missed material and try again. Attempts are unlimited, with no extra fee for the added time.

Can my local court set an earlier date?

Yes. The Seventh Circuit, for example, requires enrollment within 20 days and completion before court-ordered mediation or trial.

Can we take the course together?

You may, but you do not have to. The court can stop parents from taking it together when there is a history of domestic violence.

What if my children have special needs?

The parties must select a course made for children with special needs or emotional concerns. DCF keeps a separate list of those courses.

Conclusion

For parents in a Florida divorce, the course dates are short and firm: 45 days after filing or service, with proof filed before the final judgment. Read your circuit’s order too, since some courts add earlier dates or extra classes. When you are ready, DivorceParentingClass.net’s online Florida parent education course is one option, but confirm first that your court accepts an online course.

Sources

Billy Forte is the owner of DivorceParentingClass.net.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Court rules, local practice, and case facts can differ by county, judge, and case type in Florida. Use official court and state sources, and consult a qualified Florida family law attorney for legal guidance specific to your case.