Prepare your documents for Petition to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief in Florida

This website helps prepare the forms required for Paternity Case in Florida.

Start

HOW IT WORKS

1. Take Screening

Start with an online screening tool to help you determine whether filing a Florida paternity case is the right legal option for your situation.

2. Prepare Documents

Instead of requiring you to review and complete court forms on your own, our system helps you prepare your Florida paternity filing by guiding you through all required information by topic. You’ll answer simple, plain-language questions, and the system will automatically place your responses wherever they are needed in the court forms.

3. Consult Advocate (Optional)

You may consult a family law advocate or legal professional to get guidance on paternity-related matters in Florida. An advocate can help you understand your rights and options, review your case documents, explain the paternity process, and assist with issues such as parental responsibility, time-sharing, child support, and long-term planning for you and your child.

4. File with the Clerk

You can start a Florida paternity case by filing a Petition to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. File in person, by mail, or through the Florida Courts e-Filing Portal, and include the filing fee or a fee-waiver application. Once filed, the Clerk opens the case and assigns a case number.

Process

Step 1

You: Take Online Screening

Begin your Florida paternity filing by taking the screening on LegalAtoms. Enter your ZIP code and answer a few simple questions about the child, the parents, residency, and any support or time-sharing issues. The screening helps confirm whether a Florida paternity case is appropriate for your situation and identifies the required forms and steps. Based on your answers, LegalAtoms tailors the process to your county’s local court rules. Before starting, gather key information such as the child’s details, parent information, and any existing support or custody orders.

Step 2

You: Gather Personal Information and Prepare the Petition to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief

Start by gathering all important information needed to complete your Florida paternity filing, including:

Your full legal name and residential address
The other parent’s full legal name and residential address
The child’s name, date of birth, and current address
Information about any existing custody, time-sharing, or child support orders
Details about medical insurance, birth-related expenses, and other child-related costs (if applicable)

Next, prepare the Petition to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief, which is available from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in your county or on the Florida Courts website. Complete the petition carefully, making sure all required sections are accurate and complete.

The petition must be signed and filed with the Clerk before your case can proceed. Keep copies of the filed petition and all related documents for your records, as you will need them throughout the paternity process.

Step 3

You: Wait for the Clerk to Process Your Paternity Petition

After submitting your completed Petition to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, wait for the Clerk’s office to process and officially record it. Processing times vary by county but are usually a few business days.

Once accepted, your paternity case will be opened and assigned a case number, which you’ll use for all future filings and correspondence. You may request plain or certified copies for your records. If the filing is rejected due to missing information or errors, you must correct and resubmit it before the case can proceed.

Step 4

You: Create Your Florida Paternity Case on LegalAtoms

Log in to your LegalAtoms account, or create one if you don’t have one. From your dashboard, click “Start New Case” and select Paternity (Florida) as the case type. The platform will guide you step-by-step through entering required information, including:

Your full legal name and residence address
The other parent’s full legal name and residence address
The child’s name, date of birth, and current address
Information about any existing custody, time-sharing, or child support arrangements
Details about medical insurance, birth-related expenses, and other child-related costs

You can upload supporting documents such as the child’s birth certificate, medical or insurance records, and any other relevant documents. LegalAtoms ensures your petition is complete, accurate, and tailored to your county’s local court rules before you file it with the Clerk of the Circuit Court (or electronically through the Florida Courts e-Filing Portal where available).

Step 5

You: Receive Your Filed Petition and Certified Copies

Once your Petition to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief is accepted by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, it will be officially filed and entered into the court’s records. You can then request a certified copy of the filed petition, which serves as official proof that your paternity case has been opened in Florida.

Using Your Certified Petition:
A certified copy may be required to:

Serve the other parent with official notice of the paternity case
Provide proof of a pending case to employers, government agencies, or financial institutions
Submit with other court filings related to your paternity case

Certified copies can be requested from the Clerk’s office at the time of filing or later if needed. It’s strongly recommended to keep at least one certified copy for your records, as plain photocopies may not be accepted for official or legal purposes.

Step 6

Wait for the Clerk’s Confirmation

After submitting your Petition to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief, you must wait for the Clerk of the Circuit Court to officially record your filing and assign a case number. Processing times vary by county but are usually a few business days.

During this time, check your LegalAtoms dashboard for updates or notifications from the Clerk’s office. Once your petition is recorded, the Clerk will return the filed copy and provide certified copies upon request.

If your filing is complete and accurate, it will be accepted without issue. If any required information or signatures are missing, the Clerk may reject the filing. You must correct and resubmit the petition before your Florida paternity case can proceed.

Step 7

Receive Your Filed Paternity Petition and Begin the Process

Once the Clerk of the Circuit Court records your Petition to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief, your case becomes official, and the paternity process formally begins in Florida. LegalAtoms will guide you through requesting certified copies of your petition, which may be needed for important steps such as:

Serving the other parent with official notice of the paternity case
Providing proof of a pending case to employers, agencies, or financial institutions
Filing additional court documents as your case progresses

If your filing is rejected, LegalAtoms will help you identify the issue — such as missing signatures or incomplete information — so you can correct and resubmit it quickly.

Once your case is active in the Florida court system, you must complete all required steps, including properly serving the other parent, attending any hearings, and complying with court orders for parental responsibility, time-sharing, or child support, before your case is resolved.

Step 8

Finalize and Maintain Your Paternity Case

Once your paternity case is resolved, the court will issue a Final Judgment of Paternity, which officially establishes legal parentage and may include orders for parental responsibility, time-sharing, child support, medical coverage, and other related matters. This judgment is legally binding and must be followed by both parents.

LegalAtoms will notify you when your judgment is ready and guide you through requesting certified copies. These certified copies may be required for tasks such as:

Enrolling the child in school or updating school records
Adding the child to health insurance or other benefits
Providing proof of legal parentage to government agencies, employers, or financial institutions

If your judgment includes ongoing obligations, such as child support, parenting plans, or medical coverage, you must comply with those terms. Failure to do so can result in enforcement actions or other legal penalties.

By keeping certified copies of your Final Judgment and following its terms, you help protect your rights and ensure the paternity determination is fully recognized under Florida law.

FAQs

what is Paternity?

what Are Valid Reasons to File a Paternity Case in Florida?

In Florida, a paternity case does not require “fault” or wrongdoing by either parent. The purpose is to legally establish who is the child’s parent and ensure the child’s rights and support.

Common Reasons to File a Paternity Case:

Establish Biological or Legal Parentage – The child’s biological father has not been legally recognized, or parentage is in dispute.
Determine Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing – To set legal custody, visitation, and decision-making authority for the child.
Establish Child Support and Medical Coverage – To ensure financial and medical support for the child.
Resolve Child-Related Legal Matters – Such as the child’s name, inheritance rights, or eligibility for benefits.

Florida law allows any parent, legal guardian, or child (through a representative) to file a paternity case without alleging wrongdoing by either parent.

what Is the Paternity Process in Florida?

1. File the Petition

A parent (the petitioner) starts the process by filing a Petition to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the child or either parent resides. The petition provides basic information about the child and requests orders such as establishing paternity, parental responsibility, time-sharing, child support, medical coverage, or name changes.

2. Serve the Other Parent

The other parent (the respondent) must be formally served with the paternity petition by a sheriff or certified process server, unless they sign an Acceptance and Waiver of Service.

3. Respond

The respondent has 20 calendar days from the date of service to file an Answer or Counterpetition with the court.

4. Financial Disclosure

Both parents may be required to exchange financial information, including income, expenses, and other relevant documents, especially if child support is requested.

5. Temporary Orders (if needed)

Either parent can request temporary relief from the court for matters such as child support, medical coverage, or parenting arrangements while the case is pending.

6. Mediation or Settlement Negotiation

Florida courts often require mediation before a trial. During mediation, both parents work with a neutral mediator to try to reach agreements on paternity, parental responsibility, time-sharing, or support.

7. Trial (if no agreement)

If the parents cannot agree on some or all issues, the case proceeds to a trial, where a judge decides contested matters such as paternity, parental responsibility, time-sharing, child support, or name changes.

8. Final Judgment of Paternity

Once all issues are resolved, either by agreement or trial, the court issues a Final Judgment of Paternity, which legally establishes parentage and sets orders for parental responsibility, time-sharing, child support, medical coverage, and any other relief granted.

how long does the Paternity process take in Florida?

In Florida, there is no mandatory waiting period to establish paternity once the petition is filed, but certain steps—such as serving the other parent, completing financial disclosures, attending hearings, or undergoing genetic testing—must be completed before the court can issue a final judgment. The total time depends on whether the case is uncontested or contested.

Uncontested Paternity: If both parents agree on paternity, parental responsibility, time-sharing, and child support, the case can often be resolved in 30 to 90 days, depending on the court’s schedule and how quickly both parents complete required steps.
Contested Paternity: If there are disputes over parentage, custody, time-sharing, or support, the case can take several months to over a year, depending on complexity, required DNA testing, mediation, and the court’s calendar.

what happens if my filing is rejected?

If your paternity filing is rejected in Florida, it usually means there was an error or missing requirement in your paperwork. Common reasons include:

Missing information (such as parent or child details, birth dates, or residency)
Incomplete or incorrect forms
Missing signatures or notarization
Unpaid or incorrect filing fee
Filing in the wrong county or court division

If this happens, the Clerk of the Circuit Court will notify you of the issue. You must correct the mistake and resubmit the petition before your paternity case can officially proceed in the Florida court system.

when will I hear back about my filing?

In Florida, once you file your Petition to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, you’ll typically receive a response within a few business days. The Clerk will:

Review your petition to ensure it’s complete and that the filing fee has been paid (or a fee-waiver submitted).
Assign a case number once the filing is accepted.
Notify you — usually by mail, email, or through the court’s online case system — when your filing has been officially recorded.

If you filed through a platform like LegalAtoms, you’ll also receive updates in your dashboard as soon as the Clerk processes your petition.

are there fees associated with filing a paternity case?

Yes. In Florida, there are fees associated with filing a paternity case:

Filing Fee: Typically between $400–$450, depending on the county.
Service of Process Fee: Usually $40–$100 if the sheriff or a certified process server delivers the petition to the other parent.
Other Possible Costs: Fees for certified copies, genetic (DNA) testing, mediation, or additional court motions.

If you cannot afford the filing fees, you may submit an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status to request a fee waiver from the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

where can I get help with paternity issues in Florida?

If you need help with paternity issues in Florida, you have several options. Free or low-cost assistance is available through legal aid organizations such as:

Legal Services of Greater Miami
Bay Area Legal Services
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
Northwest Florida Legal Services

You can also visit FloridaLawHelp.org to find local legal aid offices, family court self-help centers, and other free resources for paternity and family law matters.

Court Forms Created This website guides you through all the topics required to complete your Paternity documents and file your case in Florida.

Core Forms

Petition To Determine Paternity
Parenting Plan
Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure
Summons: Personal Service on an Individual
Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases
Notice of Related Cases
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (Attachment for Children Residence History)
Child Support Worksheet
Family Law Financial Affidavit
Notice of Social Security Number
Designation of Current Mailing and E-mail Address

Barbie Higginbotham - Clerk of the Circuit Court Dixie County