Florida Adult Adoption Process

by Lauren from Panama City, Florida, Bay County

I believe I've found all the forms I need to initiate the adult adoption process, as I'd like for my stepdad to adopt me.

I just want to make sure I have all the correct forms and the correct process before I proceed.

These are the forms I've found:

12.981(c)(1)
12.981(a)(2)
12.981(c)(2)
12.981(a)(1)

Are there any forms I'm missing for the adult adoption process?

Also, once all the appropriate forms are completed do I just file them at the courthouse? Thank you for all your help!

Dear Lauren,

These are the forms you have found:

• Form 12.981(c)(1) Petition for Adult Adoption by Stepparent;

• Form 12.981(a)(2) Consent of Adoptee;

• Form 12.981(c)(2) Stepparent Adoption: Consent of Adult Adoptee's Spouse; and,

• Form 12.981(a)(1) Consent and Waiver by Parent.

The last form listed, the Consent and Waiver by Parent is not required for adult adoptions in Florida.

The biological parent must be served with the Petition for Adult Adoption by Stepparent, but does not need to consent to it.

The biological parent is to be served by service of process, using a Summons for Service of Process on an Individual; and a Process Server Memorandum.

This is the actual procedure, however, if a Consent and Waiver by Parent were filed, then, obviously, the parent has been notified of the pending adoption. So the effect is the same.

You will also need to include a Family Law Cover Sheet, form 12.928, or you can use our free PDF fillable cover sheet form. See our fillable forms page to download a free copy.

And, yes, you file all of these with the clerk of court at any of the 14th Circuit courts. The main courthouse in Bay county is located at 300 East 4th Street, Panama City.

Adult Adoption Missing Father
by: Kimberly

Hi, I too am seeking too have my step father adopt me as adult. However, I have no way to contact my birth father.

His parents have passed and I have never had any contact, even before my birth. How does the procedure differ?

--Have a look at the answer we provided to another visitor asking basically the same question here. --Staff

Notice: We provide these answers to the general public and our website visitors as a means to further their online legal research. These answers are merely suggestions and should not be regarded as legal advice.

Legal Documents Preparation Services

Your legal documents ready to file at a price you can afford!

Our Petition Preparer Service can have all your documents professionally prepared after a brief interview with our experienced Legal Document Specialists.

Your court papers will be in your hands and ready to file in as little as three days! We guarantee our work. Just ask us for a quote.

This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields (labelled below in red) have been filled in
Email Address*
First Name*
Last Name*
Telephone*
Best Time to Call*
How can we help?*
Please enter the word that you see below. If you cannot read the word just refresh the page.

Legal Documents Preparation Services

Your legal documents ready to file at a price you can afford!

Our Petition Preparer Service can have all your documents professionally prepared after a brief interview with our experienced Legal Document Specialists. 

Your court papers will be in your hands and ready to file in as little as three days! We guarantee our work. Just ask us for a quote.

This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields (labelled below in red) have been filled in

Email Address*

First Name*

Last Name*

Telephone*

Best Time to Call*

How can we help?*

Please enter the word that you see below. If you cannot read the word just refresh the page.

Answer provided by Kenneth Diaz, (800) 868-3010, Florida-Court-Forms.net © 2015

Kenneth has been a Florida Legal Document Preparer since 1998. Currently, he publishes and writes content for legal websites and does freelance paralegal work through referrals only.

Home | Top | Contact | Privacy | Terms of Service