Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.912(b), Affidavit of Military Service (11/15)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW
FORM 12.912(b), AFFIDAVIT OF MILITARY SERVICE (11/15)
When should this form be used?
An Affidavit of Military Service is required in every case where the Respondent has not filed an answer or
appearance. The purpose is to protect the men and women serving in the U.S. military from having a
court judgment entered against them without first receiving notice of the lawsuit and a chance to defend
the case.
You should use this form when ALL of the following statements are true:
The other person in your case has been served, whether by personal service or constructive
service.
The other person in your case has not responded to your petition.
You are requesting that the court enter a default judgment against the other person.
This form should be typed or printed in black ink. After completing this form, you should sign the form
before a notary public or deputy clerk. You must file the original of this form with the clerk of the circuit
court when you file your Motion for Default, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.922(a).
You must also attach copies of all verifications of nonmilitary service that you received from each branch
of the United States’ military service. You should keep a copy for your records.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-FILING
The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration now require that all petitions, pleadings, and documents be
filed electronically except in certain circumstances. Self-represented litigants may file petitions or other
pleadings or documents electronically; however, they are not required to do so. If you choose to file
your pleadings or other documents electronically, you must do so in accordance with Florida Rule of
Judicial Administration 2.525, and you must follow the procedures of the judicial circuit in which you file.
The rules and procedures should be carefully read and followed.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-SERVICE ELECTION
After the initial service of process of the petition or supplemental petition by the Sheriff or certified
process server, the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration now require that all documents required or
permitted to be served on the other party must be served by electronic mail (e-mail) except in certain
circumstances. You must strictly comply with the format requirements set forth in the Rules of Judicial
Administration. If you elect to participate in electronic service, which means serving or receiving pleadings
by electronic mail (e-mail), or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, you must review Florida Rule of
Judicial Administration 2.516. You may find this rule at www.flcourts.org through the link to the Rules of
Judicial Administration provided under either Family Law Forms: Getting Started, or Rules of Court in the
A-Z Topical Index.
SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS MAY SERVE DOCUMENTS BY E-MAIL; HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT
REQUIRED TO DO SO. If a self-represented litigant elects to serve and receive documents by e-mail, the
procedures must always be followed once the initial election is made.
