FORMS

(a) Process. The following forms of process, notice of lis pendens, and notice of action are sufficient. Variations from the forms do not void process or notices that are otherwise sufficient. (b) Other Forms. The other forms are sufficient for the matters that are covered by them. So long as the substance is expressed without prolixity, the forms may be varied to meet the facts of a particular case. (c) Formal Matters. Captions, except for the designation of the document, are omitted from the forms. A general form of April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 208 caption is the first form. Signatures are omitted from pleadings and motions. April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 209 FORM 1.901. CAPTION (a) General Form A.B., Plaintiff, -vs- C.D., Defendant ) ) ) ) ) ) ) (name of court) No. ………. (b) Petition. (designation of pleading) (name of court) In re the Petition A.B for (type of relief) ) ) ) No. ………. PETITION FOR (type of relief) (c) In rem proceedings. (name of court) In re (name of general description of property) ) ) No. ………. (designation of pleading) (d) Forfeiture proceedings. (name of court) In re (name or general description of property) ) ) No. ………. Committee Notes 1980 Amendment. Subdivision (b) is added to show the form of caption for a petition. April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 210 2010 Amendment. Subdivision (c) and (d) are added to show the form of caption for in rem proceedings, including in rem forfeiture proceedings. FORM 1.902. SUMMONS (a) General Form. THE STATE OF FLORIDA: To Each Sheriff of the State: SUMMONS YOU ARE COMMANDED to serve this summons and a copy of the complaint or petition in this action on defendant ........... Each defendant is required to serve written defenses to the complaint or petition on ………., plaintiff’s attorney, whose address is ………., within 20 days1 after service of this summons on that defendant, exclusive of the day of service, and to file the original of the defenses with the clerk of this court either before service on plaintiff’s attorney or immediately after service. A defendant may either file the response electronically by using the Florida Courts E-filing Portal (MyFLCourtAccess.com), or by filing the written response with the clerk of court. If a defendant fails to do so, a default will be entered against that defendant for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition. DATED on ………. (Name of Clerk) As Clerk of the Court By As Deputy Clerk . (b) Form for Personal Service on Natural Person. SUMMONS THE STATE OF FLORIDA: To Each Sheriff of the State: 1 Except when suit is brought under section 768.28, Florida Statutes, if the State of Florida, one of its agencies, or one of its officials or employees sued in the official’s or employee’s official capacity is a defendant, the time to be inserted as to it is 40 days. When suit is brought under section 768.28, Florida Statutes, the time to be inserted is 30 days. April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 211 YOU ARE COMMANDED to serve this summons and a copy of the complaint in this lawsuit on defendant ........... DATED on ........... CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (SEAL) (Name of Clerk) As Clerk of the Court By As Deputy Clerk . IMPORTANT 1. A lawsuit has been filed against you. 2. You have 20 calendar days after this summons is served on you to file a written response to the attached complaint with the clerk of this court. If you choose to file a written response yourself, you may either file the response electronically by using the Florida Courts E-filing Portal (MyFLCourtAccess.com) or by filing the written response with the clerk of court. 3. A phone call will not protect you. Your written response, including the case number given above and the names of the parties, must be filed if you want the court to hear your side of the case. 4. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There may be other legal requirements. 5. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you can contact the Lawyer Referral Service listed on The Florida Bar’s website (floridabar.org). If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may be eligible for free legal aid. You can locate legal aid programs by searching for “legal aid” on The Florida Bar’s website. 6. If you file your written response directly with the clerk of court, you must also send a copy of your written response to the “Plaintiff/Plaintiff’s Attorney” named below. 7. You must include an e-mail address in your written response, unless the clerk excuses you from electronic service under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516. A party not represented by April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 212 an attorney may be excused from e-mail service by filing Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration form 2.601 with the clerk. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact [identify applicable court personnel by name, address, and telephone number] at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. Plaintiff/Plaintiff’s Attorney Attorney’s Name: ………. Address: ………. Telephone Number: ………. E-mail Address: ………. Florida Bar No. ………. (c) Forms for Service by Mail; Registered Mail. (1) Notice of Lawsuit and Request for Waiver of Service of Process. NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION TO: (Name of defendant or defendant’s representative) A lawsuit has been commenced against you (or the entity on whose behalf you are addressed). A copy of the complaint is attached to this notice. The complaint has been filed in the (Circuit or County) Court for the ………. and has been assigned case no. ………. This is not a formal summons or notification from the court, but is rather my request that you sign the enclosed waiver of service of process form in order to save the cost of serving you with a judicial summons and an additional copy of the complaint. The cost of service will be avoided if I receive a signed copy of the waiver within 20 days (30 days if you do not reside in the United States) after the date you receive this notice and request for waiver. I have enclosed a stamped self-addressed envelope for your use. An extra copy of the notice and request, including the waiver, is also attached for your records. If you comply with this request and return the signed waiver, it will be filed with the court and no summons will be served on you. The lawsuit will then proceed as if you had been served on the date the waiver is filed, except April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 213 that you will not be obligated to respond to the complaint until 60 days after the date on which you received the notice and request for waiver. If I do not receive the signed waiver within 20 days from the date you received the notice and the waiver of service of process form, formal service of process may be initiated in a manner authorized by the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. You (or the party on whose behalf you are addressed) will be required to pay the full cost of such service unless good cause is shown for the failure to return the waiver of service. I hereby certify that this notice of lawsuit and request for waiver of service of process has been sent to you on behalf of the plaintiff on …..(date)…… Plaintiff’s Attorney or Unrepresented Plaintiff (2) Waiver of Service of Process. WAIVER OF SERVICE OF PROCESS TO: (Name of plaintiff’s attorney or unrepresented plaintiff) I acknowledge receipt of your request that I waive service of process in the lawsuit of ……… v. ……… in the ……… Court in ……… I have also received a copy of the complaint, 2 copies of this waiver, and a means by which I can return the signed waiver to you without cost to me. I agree to save the cost of service of process and an additional copy of the complaint in this lawsuit by not requiring that I (or the entity on whose behalf I am acting) be served with judicial process in the manner provided by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.070. If I am not the defendant to whom the notice of lawsuit and waiver of service of process was sent, I declare that my relationship to the entity or person to whom the notice was sent and my authority to accept service on behalf of such person or entity is as follows: (describe relationship to person or entity and authority to accept service) I (or the entity on whose behalf I am acting) will retain all defenses or objections to the lawsuit or to the jurisdiction or venue of the court except for any objections based on a defect in the summons or in the service of the summons. April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 214 I understand that a judgment may be entered against me (or the party on whose behalf I am acting) if a written response is not served on you within 60 days from the date I received the notice of lawsuit and request for waiver of service of process. DATED on ................ Defendant or Defendant’s Representative Committee Notes 1988 Amendment. Two forms are now provided: 1 for personal service on natural persons and 1 for other service by summons. The new form for personal service on natural persons is included to ensure awareness by defendants or respondents of their obligations to respond. The summons form for personal service on natural persons is to be used for service on natural persons under the following provisions: sections 48.031 (service of process generally), 48.041 (service on minors), 48.042 (service on incompetents), 48.051 (service on state prisoners), 48.183 (service of process in action for possession of residential premises), and 48.194 (personal service outside the state), Florida Statutes. The former, general summons form is to be used for all other service by summons, including service under sections 48.061 (service on partnership), 48.071 (service on agents of nonresidents doing business in the state), 48.081 (service on corporation), 48.101 (service on dissolved corporations), 48.111 (service on public agencies or officers), 48.121 (service on the state), 48.131 (service on alien property custodian), 48.141 (service on labor unions), 48.151 (service on statutory agents for certain purposes), Florida Statutes, and all statutes providing for substituted service on the secretary of state. The form for personal service on natural persons contains Spanish and French versions of the English text to ensure effective notice on all Floridians. In the event of space problems in the summons form, the committee recommends that the non-English portions be placed on the reverse side of the summons. 1992 Amendment. (b): The title is amended to eliminate confusion by the sheriffs in effecting service. 1996 Amendment. Form 1.902(c) was added for use with rule 1.070(i). April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 215 2007 Amendment. Subdivision (a) is amended to conform form 1.902 to the statutory requirements of sections 48.111, 48.121, and 768.28, Florida Statutes. The form is similar to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Form 1. FORM 1.903. CROSSCLAIM SUMMONS CROSSCLAIM SUMMONS THE STATE OF FLORIDA: To Each Sheriff of the State: YOU ARE COMMANDED to serve this summons and a copy of the crossclaim in this action on defendant ………. Each crossclaim defendant is required to serve written defenses to the crossclaim on ………., defendant’s attorney, whose address is ………., and on ………., plaintiff’s attorney, whose address is………., within 20 days after service of this summons on that defendant, exclusive of the day of service, and to file the original of the defenses with the clerk of this court either before service on the attorneys or immediately thereafter. If a crossclaim defendant fails to do so, a default will be entered against that defendant for the relief demanded in the crossclaim. DATED on: ………. (Name of Clerk) As Clerk of the Court By As Deputy Clerk FORM 1.904. THIRD-PARTY SUMMONS THIRD-PARTY SUMMONS THE STATE OF FLORIDA: To Each Sheriff of the State: YOU ARE COMMANDED to serve this summons and a copy of the third- party complaint or petition in this action on third-party defendant, ………. Each third-party defendant is required to serve written defenses to the third-party complaint or petition on ……….., plaintiff’s attorney, whose address is ………., and on ………., defendant’s attorney, whose address is ………., within 20 days after service of this summons on that defendant, exclusive of the date of service, and to file the original of the defenses with the clerk of this court either before service on the attorneys or immediately thereafter. If a third- April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 216 party defendant fails to do so, a default will be entered against that defendant for the relief demanded in the third-party complaint or petition. DATED on ………. (Name of Clerk) As Clerk of the Court By As Deputy Clerk FORM 1.905. ATTACHMENT WRIT OF ATTACHMENT THE STATE OF FLORIDA: To Each Sheriff of the State: YOU ARE COMMANDED to attach and take into custody so much of the lands, tenements, goods, and chattels of defendant, ………., as is sufficient to satisfy the sum of $..........and costs. ORDERED at ………., Florida, on .....(date)...... Judge Committee Notes 1980 Amendment. The direction is modernized and the combination with the summons deleted. A writ of attachment must now be issued by a judge under section 76.03, Florida Statutes (1979). FORM 1.906. ATTACHMENT — FORECLOSURE WRIT OF ATTACHMENT THE STATE OF FLORIDA: To Each Sheriff of the State: YOU ARE COMMANDED to take and hold the following described property: (describe property) or so much of it as can be found sufficient to satisfy the debt to be foreclosed. April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 217 ORDERED at ...................., Florida, on .....(date)...... Judge Committee Notes 1980 Amendment. The direction is modernized and the combination with the summons deleted. A writ of attachment must now be issued by a judge under section 76.03, Florida Statutes (1979). FORM 1.907. GARNISHMENT (a) Writ of Garnishment. WRIT OF GARNISHMENT THE STATE OF FLORIDA: To Each Sheriff of the State: YOU ARE COMMANDED to summon the garnishee, ………. to serve an answer to this writ on ………., plaintiff’s attorney, whose address is , ………. within 20 days after service on the garnishee, exclusive of the day of service, and to file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on the attorney or immediately thereafter, stating whether the garnishee is indebted to defendant, ………., at the time of the answer or was indebted at the time of service of the writ, or at any time between such times, and in what sum and what tangible and intangible personal property of the defendant the garnishee is in possession or control of at the time of the answer or had at the time of service of this writ, or at any time between such times, and whether the garnishee knows of any other person indebted to the defendant or who may be in possession or control of any of the property of the defendant. The amount set in plaintiff’s motion is $………. DATED on ………. (Name of Clerk) As Clerk of the Court By As Deputy Clerk (b) Continuing Writ of Garnishment against Salary or Wages. CONTINUING WRIT OF GARNISHMENT AGAINST SALARY OR WAGES April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 218 THE STATE OF FLORIDA: To Each Sheriff of the State: YOU ARE COMMANDED to summon the garnishee, ………., whose address is ………., who is required to serve an answer to this writ on ………., plaintiff’s attorney, whose address is ……….,, within 20 days after service of this writ, exclusive of the day of service, and to file the original with the clerk of court either before service on the attorney or immediately thereafter. The answer shall state whether the garnishee is the employer of the defendant,………. and whether the garnishee is indebted to the defendant by reason of salary or wages. The garnishee’s answer shall specify the periods of payment (for example, weekly, biweekly, or monthly) and amount of salary or wages and be based on the defendant’s earnings for the pay period during which this writ is served on the garnishee. During each pay period, a portion of the defendant’s salary or wages as it becomes due shall be held and not disposed of or transferred until further order of this court. The amount of salary or wages to be withheld for each pay period shall be made in accordance with the following paragraph. This writ shall continue until the plaintiff’s judgment is paid in full or until otherwise provided by court order. Federal law (15 U.S.C. §§1671–1673) limits the amount to be withheld from salary or wages to no more than 25% of any individual defendant’s disposable earnings (the part of earnings remaining after the deduction of any amounts required by law to be deducted) for any pay period or to no more than the amount by which the individual’s disposable earnings for the pay period exceed 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage, whichever is less. For administrative costs, the garnishee may collect $………. against the salary or wages of the defendant for the first deduction and $………. for each deduction thereafter. The total amount of the final judgment outstanding as set out in the plaintiff’s motion is $……….. FAILURE TO FILE AN ANSWER WITHIN THE TIME REQUIRED MAY RESULT IN THE ENTRY OF JUDGMENT AGAINST THE GARNISHEE FOR THE ABOVE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $………. ORDERED at ……….,, Florida, on .....(date)...... (Name of Clerk) As Clerk of the Court By As Deputy Clerk April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 219 Committee Notes 1992 Amendment. This form is to be used to effectuate section 77.0305, Florida Statutes. 1996 Amendment. The following was adopted as a committee note, with no changes to the text of the forms: Both forms 1.907(a) and (b) are for use after judgment has been entered against a defendant. If a plaintiff seeks a writ of garnishment before judgment is entered, notice to the defendant of the right to an immediate hearing under sections 73.031 and 77.07, Florida Statutes, must be included in the writ and served on the defendant. FORM 1.908. WRIT OF REPLEVIN WRIT OF REPLEVIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA: To Each Sheriff of the State: YOU ARE COMMANDED to replevy the goods and chattels in possession of the defendant, ………., described as follows: (describe property) and to dispose of it according to law. Dated on………. (Name of Clerk) As Clerk of the Court By As Deputy Clerk Committee Notes 1980 Amendment. The form is amended in accordance with the statutory changes as a result of Fuentes v. Shevin, 407 U.S. 67, 92 S. Ct. 1983, 32 L. Ed. 2d 556 (1972). The sheriff is commanded to dispose of the property according to law because of the conflict between sections 78.068(4) and 78.13, Florida Statutes (1979). The former apparently contemplates that the sheriff will hold the property for 5 days within which the bond can be posted, while the latter retains the old 3-day time period. 1996 Amendment. This amendment only changes the name of the form. FORM 1.909. DISTRESS DISTRESS WRIT April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 220 THE STATE OF FLORIDA: To the Sheriff of ………. County, Florida: YOU ARE COMMANDED to serve this writ and a copy of the complaint on defendant ………. This distress writ subjects all property liable to distress for rent on the following property in ………. County, Florida: (describe property) Each defendant is enjoined from damaging, disposing of, secreting, or removing any property liable to be distrained from the rented real property after the time of service of this writ until the sheriff levies on the property or this writ is vacated or the court otherwise orders. If a defendant does not move for dissolution of the writ, the court may order the sheriff to levy on the property liable to distress forthwith after 20 days from the time the complaint in this action is served. The amount claimed in the complaint is the sum of $.......... with interest and costs. DATED on ………. Judge Committee Notes 1980 Amendment. This form is substantially revised to comply with the statutory changes in section 83.12, Florida Statutes, as amended in 1980 to overcome the unconstitutionality of distress proceedings. See Phillips v. Guin & Hunt, Inc., 344 So. 2d 568 (Fla. 1977). Because the revision is substantial, no struck-through or underscored type is indicated. FORM 1.910. SUBPOENA FOR TRIAL (a) For Issuance by Clerk. SUBPOENA THE STATE OF FLORIDA: TO ..........: YOU ARE COMMANDED to appear before the Honorable .........., Judge of the Court, at the .......... County Courthouse in .........., Florida, on .........., at .......... (a.m./p.m.), to testify in this action. If you fail to appear, you may be in contempt of court. April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 221 You are subpoenaed to appear by the following attorney, and unless excused from this subpoena by this attorney or the court, you must respond to this subpoena as directed. DATED on ................ (Name of Clerk) As Clerk of the Court By As Deputy Clerk .....(Name of Attorney)..... Attorney for .....(Name of Client)….. .....Address..... .....(Telephone number)..... .....(E-mail address(es))..... Florida Bar No. ………. Any minor subpoenaed for testimony has the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except on a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor’s testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact [identify applicable court personnel by name, address, and telephone number] at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. (b) For Issuance by Attorney of Record. SUBPOENA THE STATE OF FLORIDA: TO ………. YOU ARE COMMANDED to appear before the Honorable . ………. Judge of the Court, at the ……….County Courthouse in………., Florida, on .....(date)....., at ......(a.m./p.m.), to testify in this action. If you fail to appear, you may be in contempt of court. You are subpoenaed to appear by the following attorney, and unless excused from this subpoena by this attorney or the court, you must respond to this subpoena as directed. April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 222 DATED on ................ .....(Name of Attorney)..... Attorney for .....(Name of Client)….. .....Address..... .....(Telephone number)..... .....(E-mail address(es))..... Florida Bar No. ………. (Name of Attorney) For the Court Any minor subpoenaed for testimony has the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except on a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor’s testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact [identify applicable court personnel by name, address, and telephone number] at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. Committee Notes 1996 Amendment. Form (b) was added to comply with amendments to