Fla. Stat. 48.19
Service on nonresidents operating aircraft or watercraft in the state

The operation, navigation, or maintenance by a nonresident of an aircraft or a boat, ship, barge, or other watercraft in the state, either in person or through others, and the acceptance thereby by the nonresident of the protection of the laws of this state for the aircraft or watercraft, or the operation, navigation, or maintenance by a nonresident of an aircraft or a boat, ship, barge, or other watercraft in the state, either in person or through others, other than under the laws of the state, or any person who is a resident of the state and who subsequently becomes a nonresident or conceals his or her whereabouts, constitutes an appointment by the nonresident of the Secretary of State as the agent of the nonresident or concealed person on whom all process may be served in any action or proceeding against the nonresident or concealed person growing out of any accident or collision in which the nonresident or concealed person may be involved while, either in person or through others, operating, navigating, or maintaining an aircraft or a boat, ship, barge, or other watercraft in the state. The acceptance by operation, navigation, or maintenance in the state of the aircraft or watercraft is signification of the nonresident’s or concealed person’s agreement that process against him or her so served shall be of the same effect as if served on him or her personally.

Source: Section 48.19 — Service on nonresidents operating aircraft or watercraft in the state, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0048.­19 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

48.011
Process 48.19
Service on nonresidents operating aircraft or watercraft in the state 48.20
Service of process on Sunday 48.21
Return of execution of process 48.021
Process 48.22
Cumulative to other laws 48.23
Lis pendens 48.25
Short title 48.27
Certified process servers 48.29
Certification of process servers 48.31
Removal of certified process servers 48.031
Service of process generally 48.041
Service on minor 48.042
Service on incompetent 48.051
Service on state prisoners 48.061
Service on partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and limited partnerships 48.062
Service on a domestic limited liability company or registered foreign limited liability company 48.071
Service on agents of nonresidents doing business in the state 48.081
Service on a domestic corporation or registered foreign corporation 48.091
Partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies 48.092
Service on financial institutions 48.101
Service on dissolved corporations, dissolved limited liability companies, dissolved limited partnerships, and dissolved limited liability partnerships 48.102
Service by other means 48.111
Service on public agencies and officers 48.121
Service on the state 48.131
Service on alien property custodian 48.141
Service on labor unions 48.151
Service on statutory agents for certain persons 48.161
Method of substituted service on nonresident 48.171
Service on nonresident motor vehicle owners, etc 48.181
Substituted service on nonresidents and foreign business entities engaging in business in state or concealing their whereabouts 48.183
Service of process in action for possession of premises 48.184
Service of process for removal of unknown parties in possession 48.193
Acts subjecting person to jurisdiction of courts of state 48.194
Personal service in another state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States 48.195
Service of foreign process 48.196
Service of process in connection with actions under the Florida International Commercial Arbitration Act 48.197
Service in a foreign country

Current through Fall 2025

§ 48.19. Svc. on nonresidents operating aircraft or watercraft in the state's source at flsenate​.gov