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  11. Adoptions

Adoptions

Adoptions establish a legal parent-child relationship between the adoptee and the adoptive parent(s). Florida law authorizes adoptions for both minors and adults.

Four types of adoptions exist in Florida, each having a unique procedure:

  • Entity adoption (an agency or intermediary-facilitated adoption)
  • Stepparent adoption
  • Close relative adoption
  • Adult adoption

The Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Office processes petitions for adoption filed in Circuit Court, some of which include termination of parental rights.

The Florida Bar provides a consumer pamphlet with more information on adoptions in Florida. The Fifth Judicial Circuit provides a checklist of items needed for stepparent adoption on its website. 

Adoption Records

All adoption records are confidential and exempt from disclosure, except as provided in Rule 2.420 (d)(1)(B)(ii), Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration.

Submission of Documents

The Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration require that petitions, pleadings, and documents be filed electronically except in certain circumstances. Self-represented litigants (pro se) may file petitions or other pleadings or documents electronically; however, they are not required to do so.

If you choose to file your pleadings or other documents electronically, you must do so in accordance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.525.

If you are filing adoption paperwork, all documents can be submitted to the Lake County Clerk’s Office one of the following ways:

  1. By Electronic Submission (E-Filing)
    Visit the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at www.myflcourtaccess.com to electronically submit documents related to your case.
  2. By U.S. Mail
    Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
    ATTN: Domestic Relations
    P.O. Box 7800
    Tavares, FL 32778-7800
  3. In-Person
    Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
    Lake County Courthouse – Central Intake Section
    550 W. Main St., East Wing, First Floor
    Tavares, FL 32778
    Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

NOTE: Florida law prevents staff of the Lake County Clerk’s Office from providing legal advice. The information, forms, and documents contained on this website are provided to help those seeking to represent themselves without the assistance of an attorney and are meant to serve as a guide only.

We do not guarantee that the information provided will achieve the result you desire. If you are using the forms or documents provided on this website, you do so at your own risk.
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