Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.918, titled Notice of Related Cases, is the one-page court filing that tells a Florida circuit court whether your new family law case is connected to any other pending or closed case involving the same parties or children, and it must be filed by the petitioner at the time the initial petition is filed under Florida Family Law Rule 12.270. The form’s job is simple but the stakes are high: it lets the clerk and the judge consolidate, transfer, or coordinate related dissolution, paternity, child support, dependency, and domestic violence cases so two judges do not issue conflicting orders on the same family.
Skipping this notice or filling it out wrong can trigger judicial disqualification, delay your final hearing by months, and even force a redo of orders already entered. According to the Florida Courts self-help statistics, more than 150,000 family law cases are filed each year in Florida, and clerks report that incomplete or missing related-case notices are among the top five reasons family pleadings get kicked back at intake. Here is what you will learn:
- 📋 Exactly what each box on Form 12.918 asks and how to answer it
- 🧩 How to identify a “related case” under the unified family court rule
- ✍️ Three full filled-out examples using realistic Florida fact patterns
- 🏛️ Every filing channel (e-portal, clerk’s window, mail) with fees and proof
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes filers make and how to avoid each one
This article uses the current Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.918, revised 03/16, available on the Florida Courts forms page. Always confirm you have the latest revision before filing, since the Florida Supreme Court updates family forms on a rolling basis.
What Form 12.918 Is and Who Must File It
Florida Family Law Form 12.918 is the Notice of Related Cases required under the unified family court concept adopted by the Florida Supreme Court in In re: Report of the Family Court Steering Committee, 794 So. 2d 518 (Fla. 2001). The notice tells the clerk and the assigned judge that another case in the same circuit (or any Florida circuit) involves the same parties, the same children, or the same underlying family unit. Once the clerk sees the notice, the cases can be assigned to a single judge or division so that custody, support, injunction, and dependency rulings stay consistent.
Every petitioner who files an initial pleading in a family law matter must file Form 12.918 along with the petition. That includes filers in dissolution of marriage, paternity, child support, modification, name change of a minor child, relocation, and domestic violence injunction cases governed by Chapter 61, Chapter 39, and Chapter 741 of the Florida Statutes. Respondents do not file this form unless they file a counter-petition, in which case the same notice rule applies to them.
The form is also a continuing duty. If a related case opens after you file your petition (for example, your spouse files a domestic violence injunction the next month), you must file an updated Form 12.918 to alert the court. Failing to update the notice is treated as a discovery violation under Florida Family Law Rule 12.380, and judges have authority to strike pleadings, deny relief, or assess costs.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Before you open Form 12.918, gather every piece of identifying information that ties your case to any other case in any Florida court. The form is short, but accuracy matters because the clerk uses your entries to pull old files. Missing one related case can later force the judge to vacate orders, so build a complete list before you type a single word.
Here is the pre-filing checklist of items to have within reach:
- Your full legal name and your opposing party’s full legal name, including aliases, because the clerk searches the statewide case index by name and a misspelling hides matches.
- Full legal names and dates of birth of every minor child involved, since dependency and paternity cases are indexed by the child.
- The county and circuit where each related case was filed, because Florida has 20 judicial circuits and the case number prefix changes by county.
- Each related case number in the format printed on the official docket (for example, 2024-DR-001234), because partial numbers will not match the clerk’s database.
- The case type (dissolution, paternity, injunction, dependency, child support enforcement, guardianship), because the unified family court rule lists specific categories.
- The status of each related case (open, closed, on appeal), because closed cases still must be disclosed if they involved the same parties or children.
- The name of the assigned judge in any open related case, because the new case may be transferred to that judge under the “one family, one judge” policy.
- The date the related case was filed and, if closed, the date of final disposition, because the judge uses dates to decide consolidation.
- A copy of any final judgment, injunction, or support order from a related case, because you will likely need to attach it later under Rule 12.285 mandatory disclosure.
- Your current mailing address, email address, and phone number, because the certificate of service block at the bottom of the form requires updated contact information.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You can download the official, fillable PDF version of Form 12.918 directly from the Florida Courts family forms library. The form is free, and the Florida Supreme Court forbids any vendor from charging for the blank version. Most counties also keep paper copies at the Clerk of Court family law intake counter, and many self-help centers print them on demand for pro se filers.
The fillable PDF works best in Adobe Acrobat Reader, not in a browser preview, because the browser version often strips form fields when saved. After you type your answers into the PDF, save the file with a clear name (for example, Smith_12.918_2026.pdf) so you can find it again when you upload it to the e-filing portal. If you fill out a paper copy, use black ink and print clearly, because the clerk scans the document into the case file and faded blue ink does not always come through.
If you need translation help, the Florida Courts language access page lists certified court interpreters by county, and many clerks offer Spanish and Creole versions of the family law instructions. The form itself is only available in English, but you may have a translator help you complete it as long as you sign it yourself.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form 12.918 Line by Line
Form 12.918 has six logical components: the case caption, the petitioner identification block, the related-case checkbox, the related-case detail rows, the signature/verification block, and the certificate of service. Walk through each in order, and do not skip a field even if it looks optional.
Field 1: Case Caption (Top of Form)
The caption asks for the circuit court name, the county, the case number, and the division. In plain English, it is the heading that tells the clerk which courthouse and judge own this case. Type the circuit number (for example, Eleventh Judicial Circuit), the county (Miami-Dade County), the case number (leave blank if the petition is brand new and the clerk will stamp it), and the division (Family).
A specific example: Maria Lopez files in Orange County, so she enters Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County, leaves the case number blank, and writes Domestic Relations in the division line.
A nuance: if you are filing the notice after the case is opened (because a new related case popped up), you must enter the case number that has already been assigned, not leave it blank. The clerk will reject an updated notice missing the case number because it cannot be matched to the existing file.
A common mistake on this field is writing the wrong circuit number. Each Florida county sits in one of 20 circuits, and entering Thirteenth (Hillsborough) when you should have entered Sixth (Pinellas) sends the form to the wrong intake queue and delays processing by days.
A misconception: many filers think “division” means a courtroom number. It does not. Division means the administrative subdivision (Family, Domestic Relations, Juvenile, Probate), and the actual courtroom is assigned later.
Field 2: Petitioner and Respondent Names
Below the caption, the form asks for the petitioner’s full legal name and the respondent’s full legal name. Enter each name exactly as it appears on the petition, including middle names and suffixes. Use the format Last, First Middle only if the rest of your petition uses that format; otherwise, use First Middle Last.
A specific example: Carlos Javier Ramirez files for dissolution from Anita Marie Ramirez, so he writes Carlos Javier Ramirez on the Petitioner line and Anita Marie Ramirez on the Respondent line.
A nuance: if the respondent goes by a different name in another related case (a maiden name, for example), list both names separated by a/k/a, because the clerk’s index search uses exact strings.
A common mistake is using nicknames. Writing Tony instead of Anthony will not match the related-case database, and a related divorce or injunction case may be missed. The consequence is that the judge later discovers the connection on her own and may strike the petition for failure to disclose.
A misconception: people think initials are acceptable. They are not. The clerk’s index does not match J. Smith against John Smith, and the related case will be invisible to the system.
Field 3: The “Related Cases” Checkbox
The form gives you two checkboxes: one stating I am not aware of any related cases and one stating I am aware of the following related cases. Read both carefully and check exactly one. If you check both or neither, the clerk will reject the filing.
A specific example: Aisha Johnson is filing her first paternity action and has never been to court before, so she checks the first box, I am not aware of any related cases, and skips the detail rows below.
A nuance: a “related case” includes more than just family cases. It also includes any pending criminal case where the parties are involved as defendant or victim, any guardianship case over a minor child, and any dependency case. Many filers check the wrong box because they think “related” means only divorce or paternity.
A common mistake is checking no related cases when you actually have an old domestic violence injunction. Even a dismissed injunction counts, and the consequence of failing to disclose it is that the judge may sanction you under Rule 12.380 for an incomplete certification.
A misconception: filers think closed cases do not count. They do. The rule covers any case, open or closed, that involved the same parties or the same children.
Field 4: Related Case Detail Rows
If you checked the second box, the form provides rows for each related case. Each row asks for the case name (style), the case number, the court (circuit and county), the type of case, and the status. Fill in one row per related case, and add a separate sheet if you run out of rows.
A specific example: Marcus Wilson lists his prior injunction case as Wilson v. Wilson, case number 2023-DR-004521, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Pinellas County, type Domestic Violence Injunction, status Closed 11/14/2023.
A nuance: if a related case is sealed (for example, a Chapter 39 dependency), you still must list it but mark the status as Sealed. The judge will access it through the Florida Courts case access system using her judicial credentials.
A common mistake is using the short case number from a paper file label instead of the full statewide format. The full format always includes the year, the division code (DR, DP, CJ, CA), and a six-digit sequence. A truncated number will not match the clerk’s index and the case will appear undisclosed.
A misconception: filers think only Florida cases count. While the form’s primary scope is Florida cases, the unified family court policy expects you to also disclose any out-of-state custody case under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, codified in Chapter 61, Part II.
Field 5: Signature and Verification Block
Below the case rows is a verification statement that reads, in essence, I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Sign your full legal name, print your name, and add the date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
A specific example: Janet Reyes signs Janet Reyes, prints Janet Marie Reyes, and dates it 05/27/2026.
A nuance: if you are filing electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, you may use the /s/ Janet Marie Reyes electronic signature format, which the Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC14-19 authorizes for self-represented filers.
A common mistake is signing with initials only. The verification is a sworn statement under Florida Statute § 92.525, and an initial-only signature can be challenged as insufficient. The consequence is that the entire notice may be struck, voiding your disclosure.
A misconception: filers think the form must be notarized. It does not. Form 12.918 uses a self-executing penalty-of-perjury clause, not a notary block, so a notary signature is not required.
Field 6: Address, Phone, and Email Block
The signature block also asks for your mailing address, telephone number, designated email address for service, and any secondary email. Enter a street address (not a P.O. Box, unless you have a confidentiality order under Florida Statute § 119.071) because the court must be able to mail you orders.
A specific example: David Chen enters 1455 Brickell Avenue, Apt. 2208, Miami, FL 33131, phone 305-555-0144, primary email dchen@example.com, and a secondary email of his sister’s address for backup.
A nuance: if you are a domestic violence survivor enrolled in the Florida Address Confidentiality Program, use the substitute address provided by the Attorney General’s office. Disclosing your real address can be life-threatening.
A common mistake is using an old email address. The court emails all orders, hearing notices, and clerk’s notices to the designated email, and a stale address means you miss your hearing. The consequence is dismissal for failure to appear.
A misconception: filers think they can leave the email blank if they do not have one. They cannot. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516 requires every party, including pro se filers, to designate at least one email address for service.
Field 7: Certificate of Service
The bottom block asks you to certify that you served the notice on the other party by listing the date, the method (e-mail, U.S. Mail, hand delivery), and the recipient’s address.
A specific example: Maria Lopez writes I certify that on 05/27/2026, I served this notice by e-mail to anthony.lopez@example.com.
A nuance: if the respondent has not yet been served with the original petition, you do not yet need to serve the related-case notice. Instead, write Respondent not yet served, and serve the notice with the petition through the process server.
A common mistake is forgetting to date the certificate. An undated certificate makes service impossible to verify, and the opposing party can later argue the notice was never filed timely.
A misconception: filers think e-filing replaces service. It does not. The portal sends the document to the clerk, not to the opposing party, so you must still complete the certificate of service block.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three realistic walkthroughs. Each follows one named filer through Form 12.918 from caption to certificate.
Scenario 1: Carlos Files for Divorce With a Prior Injunction
Carlos Ramirez files for dissolution in Hillsborough County. Two years ago, his wife Anita filed a domestic violence injunction against him that was later dismissed.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Circuit and County | Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County |
| Case Number | (left blank — new case) |
| Division | Family Law |
| Petitioner | Carlos Javier Ramirez |
| Respondent | Anita Marie Ramirez |
| Related Case Checkbox | I am aware of the following related cases |
| Related Case Row 1 | Ramirez v. Ramirez, 2024-DR-007781, 13th Circuit, Hillsborough, Domestic Violence Injunction, Dismissed 06/12/2024 |
| Signature | /s/ Carlos Javier Ramirez, 05/27/2026 |
| Certificate of Service | Served by e-mail to anita.ramirez@example.com on 05/27/2026 |
Scenario 2: Aisha Files Paternity With an Open Title IV-D Case
Aisha Johnson files a paternity petition in Orange County. The Department of Revenue already has an open Title IV-D child support case for the same child.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Circuit and County | Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County |
| Case Number | (blank) |
| Division | Domestic Relations |
| Petitioner | Aisha Renee Johnson |
| Respondent | Devon Lamar Williams |
| Related Case Checkbox | I am aware of the following related cases |
| Related Case Row 1 | DOR o/b/o Johnson v. Williams, 2025-DR-019902, 9th Circuit, Orange, Title IV-D Child Support, Open |
| Signature | /s/ Aisha Renee Johnson, 05/27/2026 |
| Address Block | 4012 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32806; aisha.johnson@example.com |
Scenario 3: Janet Files Dissolution After 22 Years and No Related Cases
Janet Reyes files for dissolution in Miami-Dade County after a 22-year marriage. There are no other cases involving the parties or children.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Circuit and County | Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County |
| Case Number | (blank) |
| Division | Family |
| Petitioner | Janet Marie Reyes |
| Respondent | Roberto Antonio Reyes |
| Related Case Checkbox | I am not aware of any related cases |
| Related Case Rows | (left blank because the first box was checked) |
| Signature | /s/ Janet Marie Reyes, 05/27/2026 |
| Certificate of Service | Respondent not yet served — to be served with petition |
How to File the Completed Form
Form 12.918 must be filed with the clerk in the same county where you file your petition. You have three filing channels.
Online via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Go to the statewide e-filing portal, create a free account, choose File Now, select the case type (or Existing Case with the case number), upload the PDF as a separate document titled Notice of Related Cases, and pay any associated petition fees by credit card or e-check. The portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and ACH. There is no separate fee for Form 12.918 itself, but the underlying petition usually costs around $409 for dissolution and $300 for paternity, per the Florida Clerks of Court fee schedule. Processing is typically 1–3 business days, and your proof of filing is the e-mail confirmation with the date stamp.
In person at the Clerk of Court. Bring two paper copies of the form (one for the file, one for you) to the family law intake window of the county Clerk of Court where you are filing. The clerk stamps your copy Filed with the date and time. Cash, check, money order, and most credit cards are accepted, though some smaller counties only take cash or check. Same-day filing is the rule, and your proof is the stamped copy.
By U.S. Mail. Mail the original signed form along with the petition and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Clerk of Court for your county. Pay the petition fee by check or money order made payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court. Processing time is 5–10 business days, and your proof is the returned, stamped copy mailed back to you. Avoid mail filing if you are near a deadline because the filing date is the date the clerk receives it, not the date you mailed it.
What Happens After You File
Once Form 12.918 is filed, the clerk routes the case to the family division and runs your related-case entries through the statewide case index. If a match comes back, the clerk flags the case for the Administrative Judge of the family division, who decides whether to consolidate, transfer, or coordinate the cases under the unified family court policy described in In re: Family Court Steering Committee.
If you checked I am not aware of any related cases and the clerk’s search later finds one, the clerk notifies the judge and the case is reassigned. You will not be sanctioned for an honest miss, but you may be ordered to file an updated Form 12.918 within a short window (often 10 days). If you missed a case you knew about, the judge can hold a Rule 12.380 hearing and impose attorneys’ fees, costs, or contempt.
You also have a continuing duty to update the notice. If, after your initial filing, a new related case opens (for example, a grandparent files dependency on the same child), you have to file an amended Form 12.918 within a reasonable time, generally interpreted as 10 days under local administrative orders.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
The Notice of Related Cases looks simple, but small mistakes carry big consequences. Avoid these errors:
- Checking both boxes at the top, which makes the certification ambiguous and triggers a clerk rejection.
- Leaving the case number blank when filing an amended notice, which prevents the clerk from matching it to the existing file.
- Using a nickname instead of the full legal name, which causes the index search to miss related cases.
- Writing the wrong circuit number, which routes the form to the wrong intake queue and delays processing.
- Forgetting to disclose a closed domestic violence injunction, which can lead to sanctions for incomplete certification.
- Listing only Florida cases when an out-of-state custody case exists, violating UCCJEA disclosure duties under Chapter 61, Part II.
- Signing with initials only, which can be challenged under Florida Statute § 92.525 as a defective verification.
- Using a P.O. Box without a confidentiality order, which violates Rule 2.516 service-of-process rules.
- Leaving the email address blank, which means you miss every order and notice the court issues.
- Skipping the certificate of service, which lets the opposing party argue the notice was never properly served.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do search the Florida Courts case access system for both parties’ names before filing, because hidden cases surface fast on a name search.
- Do use the full statewide case number format, because partial numbers do not match the clerk’s index.
- Do file an amended Form 12.918 immediately when a new related case opens, because the duty is continuing.
- Do save a date-stamped copy of the filed notice, because the clerk’s stamped copy is your only proof of timely filing.
- Do designate a working primary and secondary email, because court orders move by email under Rule 2.516.
- Do list closed cases that involved the same parties or children, because the rule covers them.
Don’ts
- Don’t paraphrase the case style, because clerks search by exact text strings.
- Don’t write None in the case rows if you checked the first box, because mixing the two formats confuses the clerk.
- Don’t notarize the form, because it uses a self-executing perjury clause and a notary stamp is not required.
- Don’t list non-family criminal cases unless they involve the same parties as victim or defendant, because that floods the record with unrelated matters.
- Don’t sign on behalf of someone else, because Florida only allows attorney signatures on behalf of represented parties.
- Don’t file the notice without the underlying petition, because a standalone notice has no case to attach to.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se
- You save attorney fees, which average $300–$500 per hour in Florida family law.
- You stay in full control of disclosures and timing.
- Form 12.918 is short and uses plain language.
- Self-help centers in most circuits offer free review of completed forms.
- The Florida Courts website provides line-by-line instructions for every family law form.
Cons of filing pro se
- You may miss a related case that an experienced lawyer would have spotted through a public records search.
- A defective certification can be sanctioned under Rule 12.380.
- You bear the full continuing duty to update the notice.
- Sealed dependency or juvenile cases are hard to locate without attorney access to the Florida Courts judicial portal.
- Mistakes on the related-case detail rows can void prior orders and force a redo.
FAQs
Do I have to file Form 12.918 if I have no related cases?
Yes. You still file the form and check the I am not aware of any related cases box. Skipping the form entirely violates Rule 12.270 and can delay your petition.
Is Form 12.918 the same as a UCCJEA Affidavit?
No. The UCCJEA Affidavit is Form 12.902(d) and addresses out-of-state custody history. Form 12.918 addresses any related Florida case. You may need to file both.
Do I have to disclose a closed case in Box 4?
Yes. The rule covers any case, open or closed, involving the same parties or children, including dismissed injunctions and prior dissolutions.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the petitioner box?
Yes, write the legal name you currently use. If you used a different name in a related case, add a/k/a and the prior name so the clerk’s index finds it.
Do I need to notarize Form 12.918?
No. The form uses a self-executing penalty-of-perjury clause under Florida Statute § 92.525. A notary signature is not required.
Should I list a sealed dependency case?
Yes. List it and mark the status as Sealed. The judge can access the file through judicial credentials, and concealing it may be sanctioned.
Do I list out-of-state custody cases?
Yes. Out-of-state custody cases must be disclosed under the UCCJEA in Chapter 61, Part II, even though the form’s primary focus is Florida cases.
Is there a filing fee for Form 12.918?
No. The form is filed with the petition and has no separate fee. The petition itself carries a fee, typically $409 for dissolution.
Can I e-sign Form 12.918?
Yes. Use the /s/ Full Name format authorized for self-represented filers under AOSC14-19 on the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
What if I find a new related case after filing?
Yes, you must file an amended Form 12.918, generally within 10 days of learning about the new case, because the duty is continuing under Rule 12.270.
Do I serve Form 12.918 on the respondent?
Yes. The certificate of service block must be completed, and you serve the notice with the petition or by email if the respondent has already been served.
Do I write the case number if my case is brand new?
No. Leave the case number blank on the original filing. The clerk stamps the case number when the petition is accepted.
Can my attorney sign Form 12.918 for me?
Yes, if you are represented. Your attorney signs the certificate as counsel of record, but the verification still binds you under penalty of perjury.
What if my address is confidential due to domestic violence?
Yes, use the substitute address from the Florida Address Confidentiality Program. Never write your real address on a public court filing.
Does Form 12.918 apply to name change cases?
Yes, if the name change involves a minor child, because minor name changes are family cases under Chapter 61. Adult name changes use a different form and rule.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.945 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.960 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form CR6E020 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 8.901 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.985(a) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.985(b) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.930(d) (w/Examples) + FAQs