Prepare your documents for Paternity in Florida

This website helps prepare the forms required for a Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief in Florida.

Start

HOW IT WORKS

1. Take Screening

Start with an online screening tool to help you determine which Paternity-related legal option best fits your situation.

2. Prepare Documents

Instead of filling out the forms yourself, our system helps you complete your Paternity filing by asking for the necessary information in plain, easy-to-understand language. Your answers are then used to complete the required forms.

3. Consult Advocate (Optional)

You can consult a family law advocate or legal professional for guidance on paternity-related matters. An advocate can help you understand your rights and options, review your case documents, discuss your situation, and help you determine the best path forward.

4. File with the Clerk

You can formally begin a paternity case in Florida by filing your completed Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. You may file in person, by mail, or electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. You must include the required filing fee or request a fee waiver. Once accepted, the Clerk will open your case and assign a case number for future filings.

Process

Step 1

You: Take Online Screening

Begin your paternity filing process by taking the screening on LegalAtoms. Enter your ZIP code and answer a few questions to determine whether you meet Florida’s residency requirements for filing a Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief. Florida law generally allows the case to be filed in the county where either the plaintiff or defendant resides.

Step 2

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

Start by gathering the information needed to complete your Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief, including your information, the other parent’s information, and information about the child.

Complete the required Florida court forms accurately and completely. The petition must be signed and filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the appropriate county. Florida law allows a paternity proceeding to be filed in the county where either the plaintiff or defendant resides.

Step 3

You: Wait for the Clerk to Process Your Paternity Petition

After submitting your completed Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Clerk will process the filing and, if accepted, open the case and assign a case number. Keep a copy of your filed petition and related documents for your records. If the filing is rejected or returned for correction, you must address the issues identified by the Clerk and resubmit the filing as required.

Step 4

You: Create Your Paternity Case on LegalAtoms

Log in to your LegalAtoms account, or create one if you don’t have one. From your dashboard, select Start New Case and choose Paternity (Florida). LegalAtoms will guide you through the information needed for your petition, including information about you, the other parent, the child, and any related parenting or support matters. Your answers are used to prepare the required forms for filing with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Step 5

You: Receive Your Filed Paternity Petition and Certified Copies

Once your Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief is accepted by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the case will be opened and assigned a case number. Keep a copy of the filed petition and other court documents for your records. You may request certified copies from the Clerk if an official or certified copy is needed for a legal or administrative purpose.

Step 6

Wait for the Clerk’s Confirmation

After submitting your Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief, the Clerk of the Circuit Court will process the filing and, if accepted, open the case and assign a case number.

During this time, check your LegalAtoms dashboard for updates and watch for any notifications from the Clerk’s Office. Keep a copy of your filed petition and other court documents for your records.

If the filing is incomplete or contains an issue, the Clerk may reject or return it for correction. You will need to address the issues identified by the Clerk and resubmit the filing as required before the case can proceed.

Step 7

Receive Your Filed Paternity Petition and Begin the Process

Once the Clerk of the Circuit Court accepts your Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief, the case will be opened and assigned a case number. Keep a copy of your filed petition and other court documents for your records.

If your filing is rejected or returned for correction, LegalAtoms will help you identify the issue, such as missing information or signatures, so you can make the necessary corrections and resubmit the filing.

Once your case is active in the Florida court system, you must complete any remaining steps required for your paternity case, which may include properly serving the other parent and addressing any requested relief related to paternity, parenting, time-sharing, or child support.

Step 8

Finalize and Maintain Your Paternity Order

Once your paternity case is resolved, the court may issue a Final Judgment or other final order establishing paternity and addressing any related matters requested in the case, such as parental responsibility, parenting plans, time-sharing, and child support. The court’s order is legally binding and must be followed by the parties.

LegalAtoms will notify you when your case reaches this stage and can guide you on obtaining certified copies of your court documents if needed.

If the final order includes ongoing obligations, such as child support, a parenting plan, or time-sharing requirements, you must follow those terms. Failure to comply may result in enforcement proceedings or other legal consequences.

Keep copies of your Final Judgment or final court order and any related documents for your records. Certified copies may be useful when you need to provide official proof of the court’s decision to a government agency, school, or other organization.

FAQs

What is paternity?

What are the requirements for establishing paternity in Florida?

What is the paternity process in Florida?

The Florida paternity process generally begins by filing a Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The court may then determine legal paternity and, when requested, address related matters such as parental responsibility, parenting plans, time-sharing, and child support.

The other parent must be properly notified or served as required by the court. The case may involve additional filings, hearings, or other court requirements before the court issues a final order resolving the case.

How long does the paternity process take?

In Florida, there is no mandatory waiting period for divorce once the petition is filed, but certain steps must be completed before the court can issue a final judgment. The total time depends on whether the case is uncontested or contested.

Uncontested divorce (both spouses agree on all terms): These cases can often be finalized within 30 to 90 days, depending on the court’s schedule and how quickly both parties complete the required paperwork and attend any hearings.
Contested divorce (disagreements over property, custody, or support): These cases can take several months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the issues, discovery, mediation, and the court’s calendar.

What happens if my filing is rejected?

If your Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief is rejected or returned for correction, the Clerk will identify the issue that needs to be addressed. You can correct the missing or incomplete information and resubmit the filing as required. A rejection does not necessarily mean you cannot pursue your paternity case; it means the filing must be corrected before it can be accepted.

When will I hear back about my filing?

After you submit your Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief, the Clerk of the Circuit Court will review and process the filing. The time it takes to receive a response can vary by court and filing circumstances.

Check your LegalAtoms dashboard for updates and watch for notifications from the Clerk’s Office. If the filing is accepted, your case will be opened and assigned a case number. If it is rejected or returned for correction, you will receive information about the issue that needs to be addressed.

When will I hear back about my filing?

Where can I get help with paternity issues?

Court Forms Created This website guides you through the topics required to complete your Paternity documents and prepare your case for filing.

Core Forms

Petition to Determine Paternity
Parenting Plan
Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases
Notice of Related Cases
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
UCCJEA Attachment for Children’s Residence History
Child Support Worksheet
Family Law Financial Affidavit
Notice of Social Security Number
Designation of Current Mailing and E-mail Addresses

Prepare your documents for Paternity in Florida

Start

HOW IT WORKS

1. Take Screening

2. Prepare Documents

3. Consult Advocate (Optional)

4. File with the Clerk

Process

You: Take Online Screening

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

You: Wait for the Clerk to Process Your Paternity Petition

You: Create Your Paternity Case on LegalAtoms

You: Receive Your Filed Paternity Petition and Certified Copies

Wait for the Clerk’s Confirmation

Receive Your Filed Paternity Petition and Begin the Process

Finalize and Maintain Your Paternity Order

FAQs

Court Forms Created This website guides you through the topics required to complete your Paternity documents and prepare your case for filing.

Core Forms

Petition to Determine Paternity

Parenting Plan

Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases

Notice of Related Cases

Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

UCCJEA Attachment for Children’s Residence History

Child Support Worksheet

Family Law Financial Affidavit

Notice of Social Security Number

Designation of Current Mailing and E-mail Addresses