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12.981(a)(4)

Stepparent Adoption: Affidavit of Diligent Search

Florida · Florida Supreme Court · Effective March 1, 2015

This form is an affidavit used in a stepparent adoption case to prove that the person filing the form has made a thorough search to find the location of another parent whose consent is needed. It requires the filer to document searches in many different places.

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Where this fits in a case

Motions

Stage: Motions

This form is used when someone needs to get constructive service, also called service by publication, for a stepparent adoption because they do not know the address or location of the person whose consent is required.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Common questions

What is this form for?
This form is used to show the court that you have made a careful search to find the location of another parent needed for a stepparent adoption. This process is sometimes called service by publication.
Do I have to search every place listed?
The form states that you must search ALL of the listed sources of information and write down the results of those searches.
If I use this form, do I need a judge's order first?
The form mentions that to search the Putative Father Registry, you will need an order from the judge, which you can request by filing a Motion for Search of the Putative Father Registry.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect March 1, 2015.

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