Stepparent Adult Adoption Service

by Bobbi from Tampa, Florida, Hillsborough County

Stepparent Adult Adoption Service: I have several questions related to this topic. First, what are all fees and costs for the Stepparent Adoption? Second, the last known address for the biological father is his mothers home in Michigan from several years ago, so how do I serve those forms to him?



This site says they have to be personally delivered by an officer or private process server, how do I do that if I'm not sure he is there? And are there fees incurred for that type of personal service?

Answer to Florida Adoption Question

Dear Bobbi,

The filing fees are around $400. Fees may vary slightly between circuits, as some of the circuits add on a local charge of a dollar or two.

You're exactly right about the personal service. You don't know whether the address you have for the biological father is a current address or not.

You must go through a "diligent search" for him, and then if you cannot find him, you serve him through "constructive service". Constructive service is advertising a legal intent.

The form to use for the diligent search can be found on the Florida Supreme Court's website, www.flcourts.org . The form is the Affidavit of Diligent Search, Form 12.981(a)(4). Be careful, there is a similar form that is used for dissolution of marriage, make sure that you use this form and this form number.

The Affidavit of Diligent Search requires you to go through a series of steps to locate the missing ex. If you cannot find him after your search, you then file this affidavit with the clerk of court, who will then guide you through the constructive service.

There is specific required wording for the advertisement; and where you are allowed to advertise is also very specific. Many times, people locate the missing person during their search. Some of the places which you are required to search do not work in this day and age.

The form suggests that you check with utility companies, but very few utility companies in 2010 will tell anyone whether someone is a customer or not, let alone give out an address. The diligent search form also suggests that you perform an online search.

Many people have had great results with www.zabasearch.com which is a free site for locating people. Also, www.411.com sometimes yields results. The information on these is not always up to date, but they are worth a try.

A paid search usually results in the best and most current information in locating someone. We recommend the web's #1 search service, Intelius: Instant People Search. Find current and unlisted number, address. Search billions of records by maiden name, SSN, or by phone number.

Check with the clerk of court to find out about costs for constructive service, if you must use that method of service. For personal service, (if you do locate him) the costs range from about $20. to $75. paid to a sheriff where he resides, or to a private process server.

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.

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Our Self Help Guide, Florida Family Adoptions, includes updated information, new custom forms, and the processes & procedures you will need to adopt an extended family member in Florida, and much more.
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