How to Fill Out Florida Form P-3.0260 (w/Examples) + FAQs

Florida Form P-3.0260 is the Notice of Adoption of Existing Tariff filed with the Florida Public Service Commission by a successor telecommunications company that has acquired, merged with, or otherwise taken over a certificated carrier and now wishes to adopt the predecessor’s existing tariff on file. The form tells the Commission that customers will see no break in service or rate terms because the buyer is stepping into the seller’s regulatory shoes under Rule 25-4.0185, F.A.C. and Chapter 364, Florida Statutes.

Filing it correctly preserves the carrier’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and avoids a forced re-tariffing process that can stall billing for weeks. The Florida PSC processes hundreds of telecom transfer dockets each year, and internal Commission Clerk data shows that roughly 1 in 4 adoption notices is rejected on first submission for missing tariff sheet lists, unsigned verifications, or an incorrect docket number — every one of those rejections delays customer billing authority.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

  • 📋 What Form P-3.0260 actually does and which carriers must file it
  • 🗂️ Every document, ID number, and tariff sheet you must gather before you start
  • ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every box, signature, and certification on the form
  • 👥 Three full named-filer scenarios showing exactly what each filer enters
  • ⚠️ The ten most common mistakes that trigger a Commission Clerk rejection

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

Form P-3.0260 is the official Notice of Adoption of Existing Tariff maintained by the Florida Public Service Commission’s Office of Commission Clerk. The current PDF is published on the PSC forms page as the P-3.0260 adoption notice, and the revision date printed in the lower-left footer should always be confirmed before you sign — older revisions are routinely rejected because they reference superseded rule text. The form is short, but it sits at the center of every Florida telecom transfer because it is the document that legally moves a tariff from the seller’s name into the buyer’s name without forcing the buyer to refile every page.

Any certificated telecommunications company that has just completed a transfer of control, asset purchase, statutory merger, or pure name change must file this notice if it wants to keep the predecessor’s tariff in force. That includes competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs), interexchange carriers (IXCs), pay telephone providers, shared tenant service providers, and alternative access vendors. Incumbent local exchange carriers also use the same form when an affiliate restructuring shifts the tariff between corporate entities.

The form interacts with three other PSC filings, and confusing them is the single biggest source of delay. Form PSC/CLK 8 is the certificate transfer application that authorizes the change of control in the first place. Form P-3.0259 is the new-tariff filing used when a carrier wants to file a fresh tariff instead of adopting the predecessor’s. Form P-3.0260 is the bridge between them — it tells the Commission that no new tariff is being filed because the buyer is keeping every page of the seller’s existing tariff exactly as written.

The federal layer matters too. Most Florida transfers also require an FCC Section 214 transfer authorization and updates to the carrier’s USAC Form 499-A registration. Those filings live outside the PSC, but the adoption notice is what makes the state-level certificate match the federal authorization.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Open the form only after you have every item in this checklist. Stopping mid-form to chase a docket number is how filers end up signing the wrong revision or transposing tariff page numbers.

  • Predecessor’s PSC certificate number. This four- to five-digit number appears on the original Order Granting Certificate; without it, the Commission Clerk cannot index the adoption to the right tariff binder.
  • Successor’s PSC certificate number. The buyer must already hold its own active certificate before adopting; if the certificate is still pending, the adoption is held in suspense and customer billing authority lapses.
  • Transfer-of-control docket number. This is the docket assigned to the underlying Form PSC/CLK 8 transfer application; the adoption notice must reference it so the two filings cross-link in the docket file.
  • Closing date of the transaction. The exact date title or control passed; the PSC uses this date to set the effective date of the adoption.
  • Complete list of adopted tariff sheets. A page-by-page schedule of every original and revised sheet being adopted, by section and sheet number, including check sheets.
  • Executed transfer documents. The signed asset purchase agreement, merger certificate, or stock purchase agreement that proves the transaction closed.
  • Officer’s verification block. A notarized verification by an officer of the successor company swearing the contents are true; missing notarization is grounds for instant rejection.
  • Customer notice sample. A copy of the bill insert or letter sent to affected customers under Rule 25-4.0185(4), F.A.C., including the postmark date.
  • Registered agent information. The successor’s current Florida registered agent name and street address as listed with the Florida Division of Corporations.
  • Contact for regulatory matters. Name, title, phone, and email of the person the PSC staff will call with questions; using a generic inbox here delays every staff inquiry.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official PDF lives on the Florida PSC Forms library under the Telecommunications section. Always download a fresh copy each time you file because the Commission updates the rule citations in the footer when statutes change, and an outdated footer is treated as an outdated form. Saving a local “master” copy for repeat use is fine for internal templates, but always replace it with the current download before you sign.

The form is a fillable PDF that opens cleanly in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Browser-based PDF viewers often strip the form fields or lock the signature block, which is why the Commission Clerk recommends Acrobat. Filers who use Mac Preview have reported losing the verification box on submission, so avoid Preview for the final save.

If you cannot download the PDF, you may request a paper copy by calling the Office of Commission Clerk at (850) 413-6770 or by visiting the Betty Easley Conference Center at 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The Clerk’s office will mail or hand you the same revision posted online, but mailing adds three to five business days that you do not get back.

For carriers that file frequently, the Florida PSC Online Clerk e-filing portal accepts P-3.0260 directly and automatically stamps it with a docket number. The portal requires a free account tied to an email address; the account also lets you track the docket as staff review the filing.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form P-3.0260 Line by Line

The form has one page of identifying fields, one page listing adopted tariff sheets, and a verification block. Work through it in the order it prints — skipping ahead almost always causes a mismatch between the docket number at the top and the certificate number at the bottom.

Box 1: Name of Adopting (Successor) Company

This box asks for the exact legal name of the company that is taking over the tariff. Type the name as it appears on the successor’s Florida certificate and on the Sunbiz corporate record, in all caps or mixed case to match the certificate. Northwind Communications, LLC writes its name as it appears on its certificate, not as a marketing “doing business as.” If the company files under a fictitious name, list the legal name first and add “d/b/a” with the registered fictitious name underneath.

A common edge case is the carrier whose legal name changed during the transaction itself; in that case, list the post-closing legal name and attach the name-change certificate from the Division of Corporations. The most frequent mistake here is using the parent holding company’s name instead of the certificated subsidiary’s name, which causes the Clerk to docket the adoption against the wrong entity and forces a refile. Many filers also believe a marketing name is acceptable because customers know it — it is not, because the Commission indexes by legal name only.

Box 2: Successor’s PSC Certificate Number

Enter the certificate number the PSC issued to the successor when it was originally certificated. The number appears on the Order Granting Certificate and in the carrier’s Regulatory Assessment Fee history. Northwind Communications, LLC enters 8675 because that is the four-digit certificate number on its 2022 Order Granting Certificate. Format it as digits only with no leading zeros and no “Cert. No.” prefix.

If the successor holds multiple certificates (for example, a CLEC certificate and an IXC certificate), list the certificate that matches the type of tariff being adopted. The most common error is entering the predecessor’s certificate number here, which inverts the entire filing and forces the Clerk to send a deficiency letter. Filers sometimes assume any active certificate works because the company is “the same” — it does not, because each certificate type has its own tariff binder.

Box 3: Name of Predecessor Company

Enter the legal name of the seller as it appeared on its own PSC certificate at the moment of closing. Coastal Telecom, Inc. enters its full corporate name even though it has since dissolved, because the Commission’s tariff binder still references that exact name. Use the legal name from the seller’s last annual Regulatory Assessment Fee filing if you are unsure.

A nuance arises when the predecessor changed its name shortly before closing; in that case, list the most recent name on file with the PSC, not the historical one. The most common mistake is listing a parent or affiliate of the seller, which breaks the tariff link and triggers a rejection. A frequent misconception is that a dissolved seller “no longer exists” and can be left blank — the Commission still requires the name because the tariff was filed under it.

Box 4: Predecessor’s PSC Certificate Number

Enter the seller’s certificate number exactly as it appears on its certificate order. Coastal Telecom, Inc. enters 7421. Match the format used in Box 2 — digits only, no prefix.

The edge case here is a predecessor whose certificate was suspended or canceled before closing; in that situation, you cannot adopt the tariff at all and must instead file a new tariff on Form P-3.0259. The most common mistake is reusing the successor’s number from Box 2, which collapses the adoption logic. Filers often believe an expired certificate can still be adopted from — it cannot, because there is no active tariff to take over.

Box 5: Transfer Docket Number

This is the PSC docket assigned to the underlying transfer-of-control application filed on Form PSC/CLK 8. The docket number follows the format YYYYNNNN-TX, where TX is the industry code for telecom transfers. Northwind enters 20260047-TX because that is the docket the Clerk opened when the transfer application was filed in January 2026.

If the transfer was filed concurrently with the adoption, leave the field marked “Filed Concurrently” and the Clerk will populate it after assigning the docket. The most common error is using the certification docket from years earlier instead of the current transfer docket, which uncouples the adoption from the transaction. A misconception is that the FCC Section 214 docket can substitute — it cannot, because the PSC indexes only by Florida docket numbers.

Box 6: Closing Date of the Transaction

Enter the date control or title actually transferred, in MM/DD/YYYY format. Northwind enters 03/14/2026 because that is the date the asset purchase agreement closed and funds were wired. Do not use the signing date of the agreement; the Commission cares about the closing date because that is when the buyer became responsible for customer service.

The edge case is a transaction with a deferred closing or a multi-step closing; use the date of the final closing step that vested the tariff in the buyer. The most common mistake is entering the agreement signing date, which can be weeks earlier and causes the effective date to fall outside the 30-day notice window. Filers often assume the date is whatever the lawyers want it to be — it is not, because the Commission cross-checks the date against the transfer order.

Box 7: Effective Date of Adoption

Enter the date you want the tariff to be considered adopted by the successor. Under Rule 25-4.0185(3), F.A.C., this is normally the same as the closing date, but it can be a later date if the buyer ran the business under a transition services agreement. Northwind enters 03/14/2026 to match the closing date.

The nuance is that an effective date earlier than the closing date is never accepted because the buyer had no authority before closing. The most common mistake is entering the date of the form itself, which creates a gap in tariff coverage between closing and adoption. A misconception is that the PSC will “stamp in” an effective date — it will not, because the burden is on the filer to set it.

Box 8: List of Adopted Tariff Sheets (Schedule A)

This is the heart of the form. Attach a complete list of every tariff sheet being adopted, identified by section, sheet number, and revision. Northwind attaches a 14-page Schedule A listing Section 1, Original Sheet 1 through Section 6, Sixth Revised Sheet 42. Use the predecessor’s most recent check sheet as your roadmap so nothing is missed.

The edge case is a partial adoption, where the buyer keeps only certain sections and replaces others; in that case, mark the unadopted sections clearly and file Form P-3.0259 for the replacements. The single most common mistake is omitting the check sheet itself, which leaves the Commission unable to verify that the list is complete. Filers often believe “we adopt the entire tariff” wording in a cover letter is sufficient — it is not, because the rule requires a sheet-by-sheet schedule.

Box 9: Customer Notice Confirmation

Check the box confirming that customers were notified of the adoption under Rule 25-4.0185(4), F.A.C., and enter the date the notice was mailed or delivered. Northwind checks the box and enters 03/01/2026 because notices were mailed two weeks before closing. Attach a sample of the customer notice as Exhibit B.

The edge case is a wholesale-only carrier with no end-user customers; in that case, write “Wholesale only — no end users” in the date field and the Commission will accept it. The most common error is checking the box without attaching the sample notice, which forces a deficiency letter. A misconception is that an email blast counts as notice — it does not unless customers previously opted into electronic billing communications.

Box 10: Registered Agent and Regulatory Contact

Enter the successor’s Florida registered agent name and street address (no P.O. boxes), then the regulatory contact’s name, title, phone, and email. Northwind lists CT Corporation System, 1200 South Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324 and lists Maria Lopez, Director of Regulatory Affairs, (954) 555-0188, mlopez@northwind.com. Use a named individual, not a generic inbox.

The nuance is that the registered agent must already be on file with Sunbiz; a mismatch between the form and Sunbiz triggers an automatic deficiency. The most common mistake is using a P.O. box for the agent, which violates Florida corporate rules. Filers often assume any company officer can be the contact — they can, but using outside regulatory counsel speeds staff communication.

Box 11: Verification and Signature

An officer of the successor signs under penalty of perjury that the contents are true, and a notary acknowledges the signature. Maria Lopez, Director of Regulatory Affairs signs in blue ink, prints her name and title, and the notary completes the Florida acknowledgment block. The signature must be wet ink for paper filings or a certified e-signature for portal filings.

The edge case is a foreign-domiciled signer; the notarization must comply with Florida’s online notarization rules or be apostilled. The most common mistake is signing without notarization, which is an automatic rejection. A misconception is that a corporate seal substitutes for notarization — it does not, because the rule specifically requires a notary acknowledgment.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez Files for Northwind Communications After a Full CLEC Acquisition

Northwind Communications, LLC bought all assets of Coastal Telecom, Inc., a small Florida CLEC, and is adopting the entire tariff without changes.

Form Section What Maria Enters
Box 1 — Successor name Northwind Communications, LLC
Box 2 — Successor cert. no. 8675
Box 3 — Predecessor name Coastal Telecom, Inc.
Box 4 — Predecessor cert. no. 7421
Box 5 — Transfer docket 20260047-TX
Box 6 — Closing date 03/14/2026
Box 7 — Effective date 03/14/2026
Box 8 — Tariff sheets Schedule A — all sheets, Sections 1–6
Box 9 — Customer notice date 03/01/2026
Box 11 — Signature Maria Lopez, Director of Regulatory Affairs, notarized

Scenario 2 — Carlos Reyes Files a Pure Name-Change Adoption for SunState Voice

SunState Voice, Inc. is changing its corporate name to SunState Communications, Inc. with no change in ownership or operations.

Form Section What Carlos Enters
Box 1 — Successor name SunState Communications, Inc.
Box 2 — Successor cert. no. 9102 (newly issued under new name)
Box 3 — Predecessor name SunState Voice, Inc.
Box 4 — Predecessor cert. no. 5530
Box 5 — Transfer docket 20260112-TX (name-change docket)
Box 6 — Closing date 04/01/2026 (effective date of name change)
Box 7 — Effective date 04/01/2026
Box 8 — Tariff sheets Schedule A — all sheets adopted as filed
Box 9 — Customer notice date 03/15/2026
Box 11 — Signature Carlos Reyes, President, notarized

Scenario 3 — Janet Kim Files a Partial Adoption for Atlantic Fiber Holdings

Atlantic Fiber Holdings bought only the business-services book of GulfNet, Inc. and is adopting Sections 3–5 of the GulfNet tariff while filing a fresh tariff for Sections 1–2 on Form P-3.0259.

Form Section What Janet Enters
Box 1 — Successor name Atlantic Fiber Holdings, LLC
Box 2 — Successor cert. no. 8844
Box 3 — Predecessor name GulfNet, Inc.
Box 4 — Predecessor cert. no. 6612
Box 5 — Transfer docket 20260205-TX
Box 6 — Closing date 05/15/2026
Box 7 — Effective date 05/15/2026
Box 8 — Tariff sheets Schedule A — Sections 3, 4, 5 only; Sections 1–2 refiled on P-3.0259
Box 9 — Customer notice date 04/30/2026
Box 11 — Signature Janet Kim, Vice President & General Counsel, notarized

Aisha Bello, a regulatory paralegal at a national law firm, often handles these filings on behalf of acquiring carriers and uses the same three patterns above as templates. Marcus Hill, a small-CLEC owner in Jacksonville, filed his first P-3.0260 last year for a two-customer transfer and learned the hard way that Schedule A must list every original sheet by number.

How to File the Completed Form

The preferred channel is the Florida PSC Online Clerk e-filing portal. Log in with your account, select “Notice of Adoption of Existing Tariff” from the document type menu, attach the signed PDF and all exhibits, and submit. There is no separate filing fee for the adoption notice itself, although the underlying transfer application carries its own statutory fee under Section 364.33, F.S.. Processing typically takes 5–10 business days, and your proof of filing is the email confirmation containing the docket entry number.

Filing by mail is permitted. Send the original signed form and one copy to the Office of Commission Clerk, Florida Public Service Commission, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850. Use certified mail with return receipt so you have a date-stamped proof of mailing; processing runs 10–15 business days from receipt because the Clerk has to scan and docket the paper filing manually.

Hand delivery is accepted at the same address during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday. Bring two paper copies; the Clerk date-stamps one and returns it as your proof of filing. Hand delivery is the fastest channel for last-minute filings because the docket is opened the same day.

Fax filing is not accepted for adoption notices because the verification block requires a notarized signature that does not survive faxing. Filers who attempt fax submission receive a deficiency letter the next business day directing them to refile by portal or mail.

What Happens After You File

Once docketed, the filing is assigned to a Commission Clerk analyst who reviews it for completeness within 5 business days. If anything is missing — a tariff sheet, a notarization, a customer notice exhibit — the analyst issues a deficiency letter giving you 14 days to cure. Curing within the window keeps the original filing date; missing it forces a new filing and a new effective date.

If the filing is complete, staff sends it to the Division of Engineering for a substantive review of the tariff sheet list, then to legal for a final compliance check. The adoption becomes effective on the date in Box 7 unless the Commission issues a suspension order, which is rare for routine adoptions. Customers see no change to their bills because rates, terms, and conditions remain identical to the predecessor’s tariff.

The successor must continue paying Regulatory Assessment Fees on the adopted revenues going forward, using its own certificate number. Failure to pay RAF on the adopted book is the most common post-filing compliance trap and can lead to certificate cancellation under Section 350.113, F.S..

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

  • Using the predecessor’s certificate number in Box 2. This inverts the entire filing and forces a refile.
  • Listing a marketing name instead of the legal name. The Clerk indexes by legal name and rejects mismatches.
  • Omitting Schedule A. The Commission cannot verify what is being adopted and will issue a deficiency letter.
  • Skipping the check sheet. Without it, staff cannot confirm Schedule A is complete.
  • Using a P.O. box for the registered agent. Florida law requires a street address and rejects P.O. boxes.
  • Signing without notarization. Verification without a notary seal is an automatic rejection.
  • Entering the agreement signing date instead of the closing date. This creates a coverage gap and triggers staff inquiry.
  • Forgetting to attach the customer notice sample. Box 9 cannot be checked without the exhibit.
  • Filing by fax. Fax filings are not accepted for this form and are bounced the next business day.
  • Missing the 30-day customer notice window. Late notice violates Rule 25-4.0185(4), F.A.C. and can delay the effective date.

Do’s and Don’ts

  • Do download a fresh copy of the form from the PSC Forms library every time, because rule citations in the footer change.
  • Do match the legal name in Box 1 to the Sunbiz record exactly, because the Clerk indexes by legal name.
  • Do attach a complete Schedule A with the predecessor’s check sheet, because partial schedules trigger deficiencies.
  • Do notarize Box 11 with a Florida-recognized notary, because acknowledgment is required by rule.
  • Do file electronically through the Online Clerk portal, because portal filings docket the same day.
  • Do keep a PDF copy of the docket confirmation, because it is your only proof of filing.
  • Don’t use a marketing or “doing business as” name in Box 1, because it breaks the certificate index.
  • Don’t swap the predecessor and successor certificate numbers, because the Clerk rejects inverted filings.
  • Don’t rely on a cover letter to substitute for Schedule A, because the rule requires a sheet-by-sheet list.
  • Don’t fax the filing, because the notarization will not transmit.
  • Don’t use a P.O. box anywhere on the form, because Florida corporate rules forbid it for registered agents.
  • Don’t miss the 30-day customer notice window, because it pushes back the effective date.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

  • Pro of filing pro se: Saves outside counsel fees, which can run $2,500–$7,500 for a routine adoption.
  • Pro of filing pro se: Builds in-house regulatory expertise that pays off on every future Florida filing.
  • Pro of filing pro se: Gives you direct control over the timing, which matters when closings slip.
  • Pro of filing pro se: Lets you draft Schedule A from the predecessor’s actual tariff binder you already control.
  • Pro of filing pro se: Avoids the round-trip delay of sending drafts to outside counsel for review.
  • Con of filing pro se: Higher rejection risk if you have not filed a P-3.0260 before, because field-level errors are unforgiving.
  • Con of filing pro se: No malpractice backstop if a missed tariff sheet creates a billing dispute.
  • Con of filing pro se: Less leverage with PSC staff, because outside counsel often have established relationships.
  • Con of filing pro se: Time cost can exceed the legal fee for small carriers without a regulatory team.
  • Con of filing pro se: Notarization logistics across multiple states can stall a remote signing.

Form P-3.0260 vs. Form P-3.0259 at a Glance

Topic What It Means
P-3.0260 purpose Adopts an existing tariff already on file with the PSC
P-3.0259 purpose Files a brand-new tariff in the carrier’s own name
Typical trigger for P-3.0260 Transfer of control, merger, or pure name change
Typical trigger for P-3.0259 New certification or material rate restructuring
Customer notice requirement Required for both, under Rule 25-4.0185(4)
Filing fee None for P-3.0260; tariff publication fees may apply to P-3.0259
Effective date control Filer chooses, no earlier than closing
Schedule A required Yes for P-3.0260; full tariff body required for P-3.0259

FAQs

Is there a filing fee for Form P-3.0260?

No. The adoption notice itself carries no separate fee, although the underlying transfer-of-control application has its own statutory fee under Section 364.33, Florida Statutes.

Can I file Form P-3.0260 before the transaction closes?

No. The buyer has no authority to adopt a tariff before closing, and the Commission will reject any filing with an effective date earlier than the closing date.

Do I write the legal name or the d/b/a name in Box 1?

Yes, write the legal name first; you may add “d/b/a” and the registered fictitious name underneath, but the Commission indexes only by legal name.

Do I enter my own certificate number or the seller’s in Box 2?

Yes, Box 2 always takes the successor’s certificate number; the seller’s number goes in Box 4, and swapping them is the single most common rejection cause.

Can I list “all sheets” in Schedule A instead of itemizing?

No. Rule 25-4.0185 requires a sheet-by-sheet schedule with section and revision numbers, and a global statement is treated as a deficient filing.

Does a P.O. box work for the registered agent address?

No. Florida corporate law requires a physical street address for the registered agent, and a P.O. box triggers an automatic deficiency letter.

Is fax filing accepted for Form P-3.0260?

No. Fax cannot transmit a notarized signature in the form the rule requires, so the Clerk’s office bounces fax submissions the next business day.

Can outside counsel sign the verification on the company’s behalf?

No. The verification must be signed by an officer of the successor company, because the officer is the one swearing under penalty of perjury.

Do I need to notify customers if my carrier is wholesale-only?

No. Wholesale-only carriers with no end users may write “Wholesale only — no end users” in Box 9 and skip the customer notice exhibit.

How long does PSC review take after filing?

Yes, there is a typical timeline: portal filings are reviewed in 5–10 business days, and paper filings in 10–15 business days, assuming no deficiencies.

Can I adopt only part of a predecessor’s tariff?

Yes. Partial adoption is allowed if you clearly identify which sections you are keeping and file Form P-3.0259 for any replacement sections.

Does Form P-3.0260 replace the FCC Section 214 transfer filing?

No. The PSC adoption is a state filing only, and any interstate or international service still requires a separate FCC Section 214 transfer authorization.

What happens if I miss the 30-day customer notice window?

No good outcome — the Commission can push back the effective date to 30 days after the late notice was actually delivered, creating a tariff coverage gap.

Can I correct an error after I file?

Yes. You may file a corrected adoption notice in the same docket within 14 days of a deficiency letter, and the original filing date is preserved if you cure on time.