How to Start Adoption For Stepdaughter

by Steven Wolford
(Winter Haven, Florida, Polk County)

I really just want to know how to start by getting the paper for adoption for my stepdaughter? We don't have money for a lawyer and the father of the child has not been around for years, never calls or send letters nothing but he does not want to give up his rights either.

Please we need help just where to start like i said we don't have the money for a lawyer so we're trying to do this on our own and don't know where to start.

Answer to Florida Adoption Question

Dear Steven,

This will be a difficult case to pursue pro se. You can start your stepparent adoption case by filing a Joint Petition for Adoption by Stepparent and all the necessary forms. See Florida Stepparent Adoption Forms for more information.

Florida Statutes require that consent to adoption be obtained from:

the mother of the minor.
the father of the minor if:
1. the minor was conceived or born while the father was married to the mother;
2. the minor is his child by adoption;
3. the minor has been established by a court proceeding to be his child;
4. he has filed an affidavit of paternity pursuant to section 382.013(2)(c) Florida Statutes; or
5. in the case of an unmarried biological father, he has acknowledged in writing, signed in the presence of a competent witness, that he is the father of the minor, has filed such acknowledgment with the Office of Vital Statistics of the Department of Health within the required timeframes, and has complied with the requirements of section 63.062(2).

Determining whether someone’s consent is required may be a complicated issue and you may wish to consult an attorney. For more information about consenting to adoption, you should refer to Chapter 63, Florida Statutes, and sections 63.062 - 63.082 in particular.

There are many organizations in the state that can help you if you need legal assistance. Take a look at Florida Legal Aid and Resources for more information.

We are not lawyers and do not give legal advice.
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