Fla. Stat. 63.112
Petition for adoption; description; report or recommendation, exceptions; mailing


(1)

The petition for adoption shall be signed and verified by the petitioner and filed with the clerk of the court and shall state:The date and place of birth of the person to be adopted, if known;The name to be given to the person to be adopted;The date petitioner acquired custody of the minor and the name of the adoption entity placing the minor, if any;The full name, age, and place and duration of residence of the petitioner;The marital status of the petitioner, including the date and place of marriage, if married, and divorces, if applicable to the adoption by a stepparent;A statement that the petitioner is able to provide for the material needs of the child;A description and estimate of the value of any property of the person to be adopted;The case style and date of entry of the judgment terminating parental rights or, if the adoptee is an adult or a minor relative or a stepchild of the petitioner, the address, if known, of any person whose consent to the adoption is required and, if such person has not consented, the facts or circumstances that excuse the lack of consent to justify a termination of parental rights; andThe reasons why the petitioner desires to adopt the person.

(a)

The date and place of birth of the person to be adopted, if known;

(b)

The name to be given to the person to be adopted;

(c)

The date petitioner acquired custody of the minor and the name of the adoption entity placing the minor, if any;

(d)

The full name, age, and place and duration of residence of the petitioner;

(e)

The marital status of the petitioner, including the date and place of marriage, if married, and divorces, if applicable to the adoption by a stepparent;

(f)

A statement that the petitioner is able to provide for the material needs of the child;

(g)

A description and estimate of the value of any property of the person to be adopted;

(h)

The case style and date of entry of the judgment terminating parental rights or, if the adoptee is an adult or a minor relative or a stepchild of the petitioner, the address, if known, of any person whose consent to the adoption is required and, if such person has not consented, the facts or circumstances that excuse the lack of consent to justify a termination of parental rights; and

(i)

The reasons why the petitioner desires to adopt the person.

(2)

The following documents are required to be filed with the clerk of the court at the time the petition is filed:A certified copy of the court judgment terminating parental rights under chapter 39 or under this chapter or, if the adoptee is an adult or a minor relative or stepchild of the petitioner, the required consent, unless such consent is excused by the court.The favorable preliminary home study of the department, licensed child-placing agency, or professional pursuant to s. 63.092, as to the suitability of the home in which the minor has been placed, unless the petitioner is a stepparent or a relative.A copy of any declaratory statement previously entered by the court pursuant to s. 63.102.Documentation that an interview was held with the minor, if older than 12 years of age, unless the court, in the best interest of the minor, dispenses with the minor’s consent under s. 63.062(1)(c).

(a)

A certified copy of the court judgment terminating parental rights under chapter 39 or under this chapter or, if the adoptee is an adult or a minor relative or stepchild of the petitioner, the required consent, unless such consent is excused by the court.

(b)

The favorable preliminary home study of the department, licensed child-placing agency, or professional pursuant to s. 63.092, as to the suitability of the home in which the minor has been placed, unless the petitioner is a stepparent or a relative.

(c)

A copy of any declaratory statement previously entered by the court pursuant to s. 63.102.

(d)

Documentation that an interview was held with the minor, if older than 12 years of age, unless the court, in the best interest of the minor, dispenses with the minor’s consent under s. 63.062(1)(c).

(3)

Unless ordered by the court, no report or recommendation is required when the placement is a stepparent adoption or an adult adoption or when the minor is a relative of one of the adoptive parents.

Source: Section 63.112 — Petition for adoption; description; report or recommendation, exceptions; mailing, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0063.­112 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

63.012
Short title
63.022
Legislative intent
63.032
Definitions
63.037
Proceedings applicable to cases resulting from a termination of parental rights under chapter 39
63.039
Duty of adoption entity to prospective adoptive parents
63.042
Who may be adopted
63.043
Mandatory screening or testing for sickle-cell trait prohibited
63.052
Guardians designated
63.053
Rights and responsibilities of an unmarried biological father
63.054
Actions required by an unmarried biological father to establish parental rights
63.062
Persons required to consent to adoption
63.063
Responsibility of parents for actions
63.064
Persons whose consent to an adoption may be waived
63.082
Execution of consent to adoption or affidavit of nonpaternity
63.085
Disclosure by adoption entity
63.087
Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending adoption
63.088
Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending adoption
63.089
Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending adoption
63.092
Report to the court of intended placement by an adoption entity
63.093
Adoption of children from the child welfare system
63.097
Fees
63.102
Filing of petition for adoption or declaratory statement
63.112
Petition for adoption
63.122
Notice of hearing on petition
63.125
Final home investigation
63.132
Affidavit of expenses and receipts
63.135
Information to be submitted to the court
63.142
Hearing
63.152
Application for new birth record
63.162
Hearings and records in adoption proceedings
63.165
State registry of adoption information
63.167
State adoption information center
63.172
Effect of judgment of adoption
63.182
Statute of repose
63.192
Recognition of foreign judgment or decree affecting adoption
63.202
Authority to license
63.207
Out-of-state placement
63.212
Prohibited acts
63.213
Preplanned adoption agreement
63.219
Sanctions
63.222
Effect on prior adoption proceedings
63.232
Duty of person adopting
63.233
Rulemaking authority
63.235
Petitions filed before effective date
63.236
Petitions filed before July 1, 2008
63.0422
Prohibited conditions on adoptions
63.0423
Procedures with respect to surrendered infants
63.0425
Grandparent’s right to notice
63.0427
Agreements for continued communication or contact between adopted child and siblings, parents, and other relatives
63.0541
Public records exemption for the Florida Putative Father Registry
63.2325
Conditions for invalidation of a consent to adoption or affidavit of nonpaternity

Current through Fall 2025

§ 63.112. Petition for adoption; description; report or recommendation, exceptions; mailing's source at flsenate​.gov