In this answer · 4 sections
Use Pasco County's current adoption packet and the assigned court's filing and hearing instructions. The clerk provides documents for both minor stepparent and adult stepparent adoption; the requirements differ by case type.
Start with the clerk's packet
The Pasco County Clerk's adoption page lists the minor joint petition, adult petition, consent forms, diligent-search affidavit, putative-father-registry motion, notice-of-action form, UCCJEA affidavit and proposed judgments. Determine which forms apply rather than signing every form in the packet.
Ask the clerk which filing location or electronic procedure applies to your case. Do not select a courthouse solely because it is nearer without confirming how the county handles the proceeding.
Current published filing charge
The Pasco family-court fee page lists $400 for an adoption arising under Chapter 63. That is the published filing charge, not a complete all-in adoption price. Confirm any service, publication, certified-copy or other required charge before filing; the clerk notes that fees can change.
SA360's standard document preparation is $349 for the first adoptee and $99 per additional adoptee in the same case. The preparation charge and court payments are separate.
Resolve consent and notice
Follow Florida section 63.062 and the appropriate packet. An adult case can still require parent notice, while a minor case may require a parent's consent or a proved statutory exception. Florida does not have a universal twelve-month abandonment rule.
If location is unknown, use the search and publication procedure. Do not replace proper notice with a general statement that the parent has been absent.
Confirm the hearing plan
Verify how a hearing is scheduled, who must attend, whether remote participation is approved, and how to submit proposed orders. Keep copies of the filed petition, service proof, notices and the signed final order. The court's schedule determines timing.
Read Florida's document checklist, adult adoption in Florida, or begin the questionnaire.
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