Florida Form 12.903(a) answer and waiver checklist

Start with the free official form

Florida Courts currently publishes Form 12.903(a), Answer, Waiver, and Request for Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, dated February 2018. The official PDF is six pages: four instruction pages followed by the two-page form. Read the entire packet, including the sections about the 20-day answer period and possible related documents.

Source checked September 24, 2026. Confirm the revision on the current Florida Courts forms index ↗ before starting.

Do not sign until you understand what the waiver says

The official instructions describe this form for a respondent who has been served with a dissolution petition and does not wish to contest it or appear at a hearing. The form itself says the respondent admits every allegation and agrees to every type of relief requested in the petition, including requests involving parenting and time-sharing, child support, alimony, property and debt division, and temporary relief.

1. Check the response deadline and existing case caption

The official instructions state that a respondent has 20 days to answer after being served with the spouse's petition. Court rules, an order, or the facts of a case may affect what must be done. Do not rely on this page to calculate a deadline or decide how to respond.

The form asks for the judicial circuit, Florida county, case number, division, petitioner, and respondent. Copy those entries from the existing court case. Sun State cannot identify the proper case, determine venue, correct service, or reconcile a caption that differs from court records.

2. Review the fixed answer and waiver language

Paragraph 1 is fixed language admitting all allegations and agreeing to all requested relief. Paragraph 2 waives notice of hearing, all future notices connected with the dissolution petition, and appearance at the final hearing. These are not customizable selections in the official form.

Sun State cannot interpret those paragraphs, evaluate the petition, decide whether you agree with it, identify defenses or claims, or explain how the waiver may affect participation, objections, hearings, deadlines, or the ability to respond later.

3. Note the final-judgment-copy request and required statements

The form requests that a copy of the final dissolution judgment be sent to the respondent at the address entered below the signature. It also states that a UCCJEA affidavit is filed with the answer when the case involves minor children and that a Notice of Social Security Number is filed with the answer.

The financial-affidavit paragraph provides two blanks: one to state that the affidavit is filed with the answer and one to state that it will be timely filed. The official instructions discuss other documents that may be required, including financial disclosure and, depending on the case, child-related or settlement forms.

Sun State cannot determine which additional documents are required, whether they are complete, whether an agreement is valid, or whether filing this form satisfies any disclosure or case-management requirement.

4. Complete the certificate of service carefully

The certificate asks for the service date, delivery method, and the other party's or attorney's name, address, city/state/ZIP, fax number, and designated email address. The official instructions state that a copy of this form and all other forms required with it must be delivered to the spouse.

Sun State cannot choose a service method, determine who must receive the documents, confirm that service is legally sufficient, or calculate a filing or service deadline. Review current Florida rules and local court procedures or ask the clerk about administrative filing information.

5. Review the oath, contact fields, and notarization

The signature section says the respondent is swearing or affirming that the claims in the answer are truthful and warns of fines or imprisonment for a knowingly false statement. It asks for the respondent's printed name, mailing address, city/state/ZIP, telephone, fax, and designated email.

The official instructions require signing before a notary public or deputy clerk. Sun State leaves the service date, signing date, signature, notarization, identification, and nonlawyer-assistance fields blank for manual completion.

Understand the official filing context

The official instructions say to file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the dissolution petition was filed and keep a copy. They also discuss e-filing, e-service election, parenting courses, possible related forms, and reviewing the final judgment after entry.

Sun State cannot file the answer, monitor the case, ensure delivery of the final judgment, tell you whether to attend a hearing despite the waiver, or determine the form's legal effect. Confirm current requirements with the clerk and seek legal advice when your rights are at stake.

Complete the answer and waiver already selected

The official blank PDF is free. Sun State's optional $19 self-service software transfers customer-supplied entries into its configured Form 12.903(a) and delivers editable, print, and unchanged blank PDFs. It does not recommend signing, interpret the petition or waiver, give legal advice, file or serve documents, calculate deadlines, or review legal sufficiency.

Official information and independent help