In this answer · 6 sections
Use the adoption entry in the clerk's current fee schedule, then check what that price includes. Florida does not have one verified all-inclusive adoption price for every county, payment method and case. A clerk fee is separate from private document preparation, legal representation and outside services.
Three current county examples
These are the official schedule entries checked on October 6, 2026. They are examples, not a certification of every Florida county or every adoption category.
| County | Posted adoption entry | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough | $400, including sealing, in Family Law | Its separate Juvenile Dependency section lists $300; use the entry for your case |
| Orange | $400 for adoption and termination of parental rights | The page separately lists summons, certification and payment-method charges |
| Miami-Dade | $443 for adoptions, including sealing | Other clerical services and postal charges have separate entries |
Check the actual sources: Hillsborough Fees and Fines, Orange Family Law, and Miami-Dade Family Court. Prices and instructions can change. Ask the clerk to confirm the filing amount for your petition before submitting payment.
Identify the case before choosing a fee
Tell the clerk whether the proposed adoption is a stepparent adoption of a minor, an adult adoption or a case involving the child-welfare system. Do not use an unrelated divorce, stand-alone name-change or juvenile-dependency fee simply because it appears on the same page.
For stepchild, relative and adult adoptions, Florida Statutes §63.102(6) says a separate judgment or separate proceeding terminating parental rights pending adoption is not required. That does not remove the need for proper consent, notice or the applicable legal findings. It also does not let a fee table resolve a disputed parental-rights issue.
Ask what is included and what is additional
Before paying, confirm:
- The amount for a new petition of your adoption type and the correct payee.
- Whether sealing is already included, so it is not counted twice.
- How the clerk handles multiple children, separate petitions and any required additional filing.
- Whether a summons, certified copy, mailing, electronic transaction or card payment adds a charge.
- What happens if a filing is rejected for correction, rather than assuming a new payment or an automatic refund.
Orange's page, for example, lists a $3.50 card surcharge and $10 summons issuance. A summons is not automatically required in every adoption. These are separately listed charges to check against the steps your case needs, not amounts to add to every family's bill.
If you cannot afford the court charge
Ask the clerk for the current civil-indigent application. §57.082 provides the determination process, and §57.081 addresses filing-fee relief and prepayment of specified court services for qualifying people. Supply complete, truthful financial information and ask what the determination covers.
Do not assume that submitting an application means approval, a free private service or a free birth certificate. Ask about any remaining costs and payment arrangements for them.
Keep a written filing record
Save the date you checked the schedule, your case type, the clerk's answer and your payment receipt. A quoted fee does not establish that all documents, consents or notice requirements are satisfied. A posted processing estimate for another case type does not predict your adoption date.
Our preparation charge is $349 for the first child and $99 for each additional child, with optional mailed documents priced separately at $99. Use the appropriate minor or adult budget guide below to combine that private fee with your confirmed court costs.
Related Florida planning guides
- How much does stepparent adoption cost in Florida?
- How much does adult adoption cost in Florida?
- Do I need to pay for a home study for stepparent adoption in Florida?
- What does a Florida family law attorney charge for stepparent adoption?
- What is the cost of stepparent adoption near Tampa, Florida?
Use the county schedule and the guide for your adoption type to complete your budget.
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Page layout updated . Individual answers have different research histories. This is general information; court requirements and individual circumstances can differ. Document preparation service, not a law firm.
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