Florida Statutes
Chapter 63 - Adoption
63.042 - Who May Be Adopted; Who May Adopt.


(1) Any person, a minor or an adult, may be adopted.
(2) The following persons may adopt:
(a) A husband and wife jointly;
(b) An unmarried adult; or
(c) A married person without the other spouse joining as a petitioner, if the person to be adopted is not his or her spouse, and if:
1. The other spouse is a parent of the person to be adopted and consents to the adoption; or
2. The failure of the other spouse to join in the petition or to consent to the adoption is excused by the court for good cause shown or in the best interest of the child.


(3) No person eligible under this section shall be prohibited from adopting solely because such person possesses a physical disability or handicap, unless it is determined by the court or adoption entity that such disability or handicap renders such person incapable of serving as an effective parent.
(4) No person eligible under this section shall be prohibited from adopting solely because he or she desires to educate the adopted child at home.
History.—s. 4, ch. 73-159; s. 1, ch. 77-140; s. 1, ch. 80-194; s. 4, ch. 92-96; s. 336, ch. 95-147; s. 4, ch. 2003-58; s. 2, ch. 2015-130.

Structure Florida Statutes

Florida Statutes

Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure

Chapter 63 - Adoption

63.012 - Short Title.

63.022 - Legislative Intent.

63.032 - Definitions.

63.037 - Proceedings Applicable to Cases Resulting From a Termination of Parental Rights Under Chapter 39.

63.039 - Duty of Adoption Entity to Prospective Adoptive Parents; Sanctions.

63.042 - Who May Be Adopted; Who May Adopt.

63.0422 - Prohibited Conditions on Adoptions; Firearms and Ammunition.

63.0423 - Procedures With Respect to Surrendered Infants.

63.0425 - Grandparent’s Right to Notice.

63.0427 - Agreements for Continued Communication or Contact Between Adopted Child and Siblings, Parents, and Other Relatives.

63.043 - Mandatory Screening or Testing for Sickle-Cell Trait Prohibited.

63.052 - Guardians Designated; Proof of Commitment.

63.053 - Rights and Responsibilities of an Unmarried Biological Father; Legislative Findings.

63.054 - Actions Required by an Unmarried Biological Father to Establish Parental Rights; Florida Putative Father Registry.

63.0541 - Public Records Exemption for the Florida Putative Father Registry.

63.062 - Persons Required to Consent to Adoption; Affidavit of Nonpaternity; Waiver of Venue.

63.063 - Responsibility of Parents for Actions; Fraud or Misrepresentation; Contesting Termination of Parental Rights and Adoption.

63.064 - Persons Whose Consent to an Adoption May Be Waived.

63.082 - Execution of Consent to Adoption or Affidavit of Nonpaternity; Family Social and Medical History; Revocation of Consent.

63.085 - Disclosure by Adoption Entity.

63.087 - Proceeding to Terminate Parental Rights Pending Adoption; General Provisions.

63.088 - Proceeding to Terminate Parental Rights Pending Adoption; Notice and Service; Diligent Search.

63.089 - Proceeding to Terminate Parental Rights Pending Adoption; Hearing; Grounds; Dismissal of Petition; Judgment.

63.092 - Report to the Court of Intended Placement by an Adoption Entity; At-Risk Placement; Preliminary Study.

63.093 - Adoption of Children From the Child Welfare System.

63.097 - Fees.

63.102 - Filing of Petition for Adoption or Declaratory Statement; Venue; Proceeding for Approval of Fees and Costs.

63.112 - Petition for Adoption; Description; Report or Recommendation, Exceptions; Mailing.

63.122 - Notice of Hearing on Petition.

63.125 - Final Home Investigation.

63.132 - Affidavit of Expenses and Receipts.

63.135 - Information to Be Submitted to the Court.

63.142 - Hearing; Judgment of Adoption.

63.152 - Application for New Birth Record.

63.162 - Hearings and Records in Adoption Proceedings; Confidential Nature.

63.165 - State Registry of Adoption Information; Duty to Inform and Explain.

63.167 - State Adoption Information Center.

63.172 - Effect of Judgment of Adoption.

63.182 - Statute of Repose.

63.192 - Recognition of Foreign Judgment or Decree Affecting Adoption.

63.202 - Authority to License; Adoption of Rules.

63.207 - Out-of-State Placement.

63.212 - Prohibited Acts; Penalties for Violation.

63.213 - Preplanned Adoption Agreement.

63.219 - Sanctions.

63.222 - Effect on Prior Adoption Proceedings.

63.232 - Duty of Person Adopting.

63.2325 - Conditions for Invalidation of a Consent to Adoption or Affidavit of Nonpaternity.

63.233 - Rulemaking Authority.

63.235 - Petitions Filed Before Effective Date; Governing Law.

63.236 - Petitions Filed Before July 1, 2008; Governing Law.