Can this form be signed electronically?

Yes, many Florida courts accept electronically signed PDFs when the platform records signer attribution, timestamps, and an audit trail. Verify local court rules for e-filing and confirm whether notarization is required for specific sections.

Is notarization or witnesses required?

Some sections may require notarization or witness signatures depending on the content (for example, sworn affidavits). Check the form instructions and local county clerk procedures before submission to determine exact requirements.

How do I correct an error after filing?

If the clerk has already docketed the filing, you may need to file an amended form or a motion to correct. For unfiled documents, update the form, re-sign, and submit the corrected version to the clerk following local procedures.

What happens if required fields are blank?

Clerks may return or reject the filing, which delays proceedings and may require refiling. Ensure all mandatory fields are completed and attach required supporting documents before filing.

Where should I confirm local variations?

Contact the county clerk's office or review that county’s local rules and e-filing instructions. Local rules can affect filing formats, fee amounts, and whether electronic submissions are accepted.

How long should I retain completed copies?

Keep originals and certified copies for the active case period plus several years afterward in line with general retention guidance; retain financial and health-related records according to regulatory requirements.

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Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW
FORM 12.981(c)(2),
STEPPARENT ADOPTION: CONSENT OF ADULT ADOPTEE'S SPOUSE
(02/18)

When should this form be used?

This form must be completed by the spouse of an adult who is being adopted.

This form should be typed or printed in black ink. After completing this form, the spouse of the adoptee should sign the form before a notary public or deputy clerk. You should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the petition for adoption of an adult was filed and keep a copy for your records.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-FILING

The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration now require that all petitions, pleadings, and documents be filed electronically except in certain circumstances. Self-represented litigants may file petitions or other pleadings or documents electronically; however, they are not required to do so. If you choose to file your pleading or other document electronically, you must do so in accordance with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.525, and you must follow the procedures of the judicial circuit in which you file. The rules and procedures should be carefully read and followed.

Special notes...

Remember, a person who is NOT an attorney is called a nonlawyer. If a nonlawyer helps you fill out these forms, that person must give you a copy of Disclosure from Nonlawyer, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900 (a), before he or she helps you. A nonlawyer helping you fill out these forms also must put his or her name, address, and telephone number on the bottom of the last page of every form he or she helps you complete.

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(c)(2), Stepparent Adoption: Consent of
Adult Adoptee's Spouse (02/18)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE

IN AND FOR , FLORIDA

IN RE: THE ADOPTION OF

{use name to be given to adult} Adoptee(s).

Case No.:

Division:

STEPPARENT ADOPTION: CONSENT OF ADULT ADOPTEE'S SPOUSE

1. I, am the spouse of

, who Petitioner,

wishes to adopt.

2. I consent to the adoption of my spouse by Petitioner.

3. I understand my right to choose a person who does not have an employment, professional, or personal relationship with the adoption entity or the prospective adoptive parents to be present when this affidavit is executed and to sign it as a witness. The witness I selected is:

I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims made in this consent and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or imprisonment.

Dated:

Signature of Spouse

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(c)(2), Stepparent Adoption: Consent of Adult Adoptee's
Spouse (02/18)

Signature of Witness

Driver's License or

Signature of Witness

Driver's License or

STATE OF FLORIDA

COUNTY OF

Sworn to or affirmed and signed before me on by

NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK

Personally known

Produced identification

Type of identification produced

IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW:

[fill in all blanks] This form was prepared for the () stepparent () adult adoptee's spouse.

This form was completed with the assistance of:

, , ,

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(c)(2), Stepparent Adoption: Consent of Adult Adoptee's
Spouse (02/18)

Overview of Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981 is a standardized court form used in Florida family law proceedings. It provides a consistent format for submitting the specific information the court requires for the matter addressed by the form. Courts and clerks expect completed fields to follow the approved layout and to include required signatures, dates, and supporting attachments. Using the approved form helps ensure compliance with local filing practices and reduces the risk of rejection for formatting or omitted information. Check the local county clerk for any supplemental local rules before filing.

Why this form matters for Florida family law cases

The Florida Supreme Court approved form standardizes information submission, clarifies required disclosures, and aligns filings with court expectations to minimize clerical rejection and procedural delay.

Who completes and relies on Form 12981

Accuracy and completeness by these users reduce processing time and help maintain a clear official record for the case.

Self-represented litigants completing required disclosure and verification sections before filing with the clerk.
Family law attorneys preparing filings and attaching supporting exhibits or pleadings on behalf of clients.
Court clerks and judicial staff who review, accept, and docket the approved form per local rules.

Step-by-step sequence to complete Form 12981

Follow these steps in order to prepare a complete filing that meets typical court intake expectations.

01

Gather documents: Collect supporting exhibits, IDs, and any prior orders to attach.
02

Enter case data: Fill the caption, case number, and party names exactly.
03

Complete required fields: Answer each item fully; do not leave mandatory fields blank.
04

Sign and date: Sign where indicated; obtain notarization if required.

Digital workflow configuration when preparing Form 12981

Set up an electronic workflow that enforces required fields, signer order, and audit logging to reduce errors during e-submission.

Field	Configuration
Required Fields	Mark all mandatory inputs as required; prevent submission if blank.
Signer Order	Define sequence: filer first, then opposing party or attorney where applicable.
Authentication	Use email or SMS codes; stronger KBA or multi-factor where sensitive.
Attachments	Enforce attachment types (PDF) and size limits for exhibits.

Where to file and how submissions typically proceed

Choose the filing route accepted by your county: in-person clerk intake, e-filing portal, or mailing per local rules.

Clerk Intake: File physically with county clerk during business hours.
E-Filing Portal: Submit through the county or statewide electronic filing system.
Mail: Mail filings with return envelope and correct postage.
Service to Parties: Serve opposing counsel per Florida service rules after filing.

Technology considerations for electronic completion and signatures

Confirm the clerk accepts electronically signed PDFs and maintain audit trails showing signer attribution and timestamps for the official record.

File Formats: PDF and DOCX widely accepted.
Integrations: Works with common tools like case management and cloud storage.
Security: TLS and AES encryption in transit and at rest.

Timing considerations and typical deadlines

Deadlines and response windows vary by filing type and county; confirm applicable rules early to avoid procedural default or delay.

Filing Deadlines:

Follow court-issued deadlines and hearing dates; missing a deadline can affect relief.

Service Timelines:

Serve opposing parties within the timeframe required by Florida rules of civil procedure.

Response Period:

Allow time for the other party to file responses or objections.

Notary Timing:

Obtain notarization and signatures before submission when required.

Hearing Scheduling:

Expect hearings to be scheduled weeks after filing depending on court calendar.

Consequences of incorrect or incomplete Form 12981

Clerical Rejection: Court may refuse to accept or file the submission.

Sanctions: Court may impose monetary or procedural sanctions.

Delay: Incorrect forms can delay hearings and resolution.

Perjury Exposure: False statements may lead to perjury allegations.

Enforcement Risk: Incomplete financial disclosures can affect orders enforcement.

Contempt: Failure to comply with court directives risks contempt.

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

Leaving mandatory fields blank or entering placeholders like 'TBD' instead of actual data, which can lead to rejection.
Using inconsistent party names across attachments and filings, causing docketing errors or confusion at intake.
Failing to attach required exhibits or certifications referenced in the form, which can delay hearings or require refiling.
Not verifying local county requirements or signature and notarization expectations before submitting electronically or in person.

Security and compliance features to protect form data

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Audit Trail: Detailed timestamps and signer attribution

Access Controls: Role-based permissions and SSO

HIPAA Support: BAA available where required

Regulatory Standards: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001

Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance

eSignature vendor comparison for handling Form 12981 filings

Basic vendor pricing and feature availability for common eSignature providers. Confirm plan details directly with each vendor before purchase.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Typical signers and their roles

Petitioner — Litigant

An individual filing the family law action. Responsible for completing personal details, factual statements, and signing where verification and oath are required; may need notarization or witness signatures.

Attorney — Counsel

Licensed counsel representing a party. Reviews and certifies accuracy of submissions, attaches exhibits, and uses firm filings systems to submit the form electronically or in person.

Frequently asked questions about completing and submitting Form 12981

Answers to common questions about signatures, notarization, edits, and electronic submission for Florida family law filings.

Need help? Contact support

Can this form be signed electronically?
Yes, many Florida courts accept electronically signed PDFs when the platform records signer attribution, timestamps, and an audit trail. Verify local court rules for e-filing and confirm whether notarization is required for specific sections.
Is notarization or witnesses required?
Some sections may require notarization or witness signatures depending on the content (for example, sworn affidavits). Check the form instructions and local county clerk procedures before submission to determine exact requirements.
How do I correct an error after filing?
If the clerk has already docketed the filing, you may need to file an amended form or a motion to correct. For unfiled documents, update the form, re-sign, and submit the corrected version to the clerk following local procedures.
What happens if required fields are blank?
Clerks may return or reject the filing, which delays proceedings and may require refiling. Ensure all mandatory fields are completed and attach required supporting documents before filing.
Where should I confirm local variations?
Contact the county clerk's office or review that county’s local rules and e-filing instructions. Local rules can affect filing formats, fee amounts, and whether electronic submissions are accepted.
How long should I retain completed copies?
Keep originals and certified copies for the active case period plus several years afterward in line with general retention guidance; retain financial and health-related records according to regulatory requirements.

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