Title: In Re: Amendments To The Supreme Court Approved Family Law Rules
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: SC10-1947
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: December 2, 2010

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC10-1947 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO THE SUPREME COURT APPROVED 
FAMILY LAW FORMS. 
 
[December 2, 2010] 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
Pursuant to the procedures approved by this Court in Amendments to the 
Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure & Family Law Forms, 810 So. 2d 1, 14 
(Fla. 2000), this Court has internally reviewed the Florida Supreme Court 
Approved Family Law Forms and has determined that a new form for a writ of 
bodily attachment in connection with a court-ordered support obligation and minor 
amendments to existing forms 12.912(a) and 12.912(b), relating to parties in 
military service, should be adopted.  Input on these issues was received from the 
Advisory Workgroup on the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms, 
which provided valuable assistance. We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. 
Const. 
 
 
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New form 12.962, Writ of Bodily Attachment, fills the need for a standard 
form in this area of the law and satisfies the requirements of section 61.11, Florida 
Statutes (2010).  The amendments to existing form 12.912(a), Memorandum for 
Certificate of Military Service, correct contact information contained in the form 
and instructions that is outdated or incorrect and update the reference to the 
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, formerly known as the Soldiers and Sailors Civil 
Relief Act of 1940.  Email addresses and websites as well as explanatory language 
in the instructions to the form are also added. 
 
The amendments to form 12.912(b) update the reference to the 
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and change the title of the form to “Affidavit of 
Military Service.”  Explanatory language is also added to the instructions, and the 
language of the form itself is revised.   
 
The new and amended forms are adopted as set forth in the appendix to this 
opinion, fully engrossed, effective for immediate use.  The forms may also be 
accessed and downloaded from the Florida State Court’s website at 
www.flcourts.org/gen_public/family/forms_rules/index.shtml.  By adoption of the 
new and amended forms, we express no opinion as to their correctness or 
applicability.  We also direct that the new and amended forms be published for 
 
 
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comment.  Interested persons shall have sixty days from the date of this opinion to 
file comments with the Court.1  
It is so ordered. 
CANADY, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, POLSTON, LABARGA, 
and PERRY, JJ., concur. 
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. 
 
 
Original Proceeding – Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms 
 
 
 
                                         
 
1.  An original and nine paper copies of all comments must be filed with the 
Court on or before January 31, 2011, as well as a separate request for oral 
argument if the person filing the comment wishes to participate in oral argument, 
which may be scheduled in this case.  Electronic copies of all comments also must 
be filed in accordance with the Court's administrative order In re Mandatory 
Submission of Electronic Copies of Documents, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC04-
84 (Sept. 13, 2004). 
 
 
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.912(a), Memorandum for Certificate of 
Military Service (12/10) 
 
4 
 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY 
LAW FORM 12.912(a), MEMORANDUM FOR CERTIFICATE OF 
MILITARY SERVICE (12/10) 
 
When should this form be used? 
 
This form should be used if you KNOW OR DO NOT KNOW whether the other party in your case is on 
active duty in a branch of the military service of the United States. “Active duty” includes reserve 
personnel of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, and members of the Florida 
National Guard who have been called to active duty for more than thirty (30) days. Even if you believe 
that the other party has never or would never join the military, you must show the court proof that he 
or she is not a member of the military.  Therefore, you may need to use this form to provide the court 
with such proof.  See the instructions for an Affidavit of Military Service, Florida Supreme Court 
Approved Family Law Form 12.912(b), for additional information. 
 
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Certificates 
To obtain certificates of service or non-service under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (formerly 
known as Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940) you may use the public website: 
https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/scra/owa/home.  This website will provide you with the current active 
military status of an individual enlisted in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.  
 
You can also receive certificates from the individual services by sending your correspondence to the 
appropriate military office listed below. Fill out this form and mail one copy to each of the military 
offices at the addresses on the form.  You may be charged a service fee by each military service branch 
for their response.  To assist you in determining the amount of each military branch’s fee, phone 
numbers are listed below.  You will need to call each number to find out their fee for this search.   
 
COAST GUARD:  USCG Commander, Personnel Service Center, Attn: PSD-MR, 4200 Wilson Blvd.,  
Suite 1100, Arlington VA 22203, Phone (202) 493-1200 
 Arlington Va.  22203, Phone: (202) 493-1200,   NOTE:  All requests must be in writing. 
 www.uscg.mil/hq/cgpc/home/locator/html. 
AIR FORCE:  HQ AFPC/DPDXIDL, Attn: World Wide Locator, 550 C Street, West, Suite 50, Randolph AFB, 
TX 78150-4752, Phone: (210) 565-2660,   NOTE:  Requests will be taken by phone.  
www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/library/airforcelocator.asp  
NAVY:  Bureau of Naval Personnel, PERS-312E, 5720 Integrity Drive, Millington, TN   38055-3120,  
Phone: (901) 874-3388      NOTE:  Requests will be taken by phone. 
MARINE CORPS:  CMC HQ (MMSB17), 2008 Elliot Road, Room 201, Quantico, VA 22134, Phone 
(703)784-3941       NOTE:  All requests must be in writing. 
 
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.912(a), Memorandum for Certificate of 
Military Service (12/10) 
 
5 
 
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE:  Attn: Director, Division of Commissioned Corps Officer Support,   
http://dcp.psc.gov/ad_search.asp  NOTE:  Please direct all inquiries to the website.  
ARMY:  Army World Wide Locator Service, Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center, 8899 East 56th 
Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-5301, Phone: (1-866) 771-6357,   fax (317) 510-3685                             
NOTE:  All requests must be in writing  
 
This form should be typed or printed in black ink.  You should complete this form for each branch of the 
United States’ military listed above, and mail the form to each branch with a check for the appropriate 
amount and a stamped, self-addressed envelope.  You should keep a copy of the form for your records. 
After you have received a verification of military status from each branch, you will need to attach those 
verifications to an Affidavit of Military Service, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 
12.912(b), for filing with the clerk. 
 
 
Special notes... 
 
Remember, a person who is NOT an attorney is called a nonlawyer. If a nonlawyer helps you fill out 
these forms, that person must give you a copy of Disclosure from Nonlawyer,  Florida Family Law Rules 
of Procedure Form 12.900 (a), before he or she helps you.  A nonlawyer helping you fill out these forms 
also must put his or her name, address, and telephone number on the bottom of the last page of every 
form he or she helps you complete.
 
 
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.912(a), Memorandum for Certificate of Military Service 
(12/10) 
 
6 
 
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE                                                       JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, 
IN AND FOR                                                       COUNTY, FLORIDA 
 
Case No.:  
 
Division:  
 
                                                                      , 
Petitioner, 
 
and 
 
                                                                       , 
Respondent. 
 
 
MEMORANDUM FOR CERTIFICATE OF MILITARY SERVICE 
 
TO: 
(    ) 
USCG Commander, Personnel Service Center, Attn: PSD-MR, 4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 
1100, Arlington, VA  22203 
 
(    ) 
HQ AFPC/DPDXIDL, Attn: World Wide Locator, 550 C. Street West, Suite 50, Randolph 
AFB, TX 78150-4752 
 
(    ) 
Bureau of Naval Personnel, PERS-312E, 5720 Integrity Drive, Millington, TN   38055-3120 
 
(    ) 
CMC, HQ, (MMSB17), 2008 Elliot Road, Room 201, Quantico, VA 22134 
 
(    ) 
Public Health Service:  Attn: Director, Division of Commissioned Corps Officer Support  
http://dcp.psc.gov/ad_search.asp  
(    ) 
Army World Wide Locator Service, Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center, 8899 East 
56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-5301 
 
 
RE: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
{Name of Respondent}  
 
 
{Respondent’s Social Security Number} 
 
 
This case involves a family matter.  It is imperative that a determination be made whether the 
above-named individual, who has an interest in these proceedings, is presently in the military service of 
the United States, and the dates of induction and discharge, if any.  This information is requested under 
the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (formerly known as Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940). 
Please supply verification as soon as possible.  My check for $ 
 
 for your search fee and a self-
addressed, stamped envelope are enclosed. 
 
 
Dated:                                                    
______________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
Signature of Petitioner 
 
 
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.912(a), Memorandum for Certificate of Military Service 
(12/10) 
 
7 
 
 
Printed Name: ____________________ 
Address: _________________________ 
City, State, Zip: ____________________ 
Telephone Number: ________________  
Fax Number:              ________________ 
 
IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW: [fill in 
all blanks] 
I, {full legal name and trade name of nonlawyer} _____________________________________________, 
a nonlawyer, whose address is {street}_____________________________________________________, 
{city}__________________________________________________, {state}________________________,  
{phone} _________________, helped {name}________________________________________________,  
who is the petitioner, fill out this form.
 
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.912(b), Affidavit of Military Service (12/10) 
 
8 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW 
FORM 12.912(b), AFFIDAVIT OF MILITARY SERVICE (12/10) 
 
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. 
 
Special notes... 
 
Remember, a person who is NOT an attorney is called a nonlawyer. If a nonlawyer helps you fill out these 
forms, that person must give you a copy of Disclosure from Nonlawyer, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure 
Form 12.900 (a), before he or she helps you.  A nonlawyer helping you fill out these forms also must put his or 
her name, address, and telephone number on the bottom of the last page of every form he or she helps you 
complete.
 
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.912(b), Affidavit of Military Service (12/10) 
 
9 
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE                                                       JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, 
IN AND FOR                                                       COUNTY, FLORIDA 
 
Case No.:  
 
Division:  
 
                                                                      , 
Petitioner, 
 
and 
 
                                                                       , 
Respondent. 
 
 
AFFIDAVIT OF MILITARY SERVICE 
 
I, {full legal name} _____________________________________________________ ,  am the 
Petitioner in this case.  To support my application for a default judgment and to comply with the 
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (formerly known as Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940), I swear 
or affirm that the following information is true: 
[please choose only one] 
 
1. ___ I know of my own personal knowledge that the Respondent IS on active duty in the military 
service of the United States. 
 
2. ___  I know of my own personal knowledge that Respondent IS NOT now on active duty in the 
military service of the United States, nor has the Respondent been on active military service of the 
United States within a period of thirty (30) days immediately before this date.  “Active Service” 
includes reserve members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marines who have been 
ordered to report for active duty and members of the Florida National Guard who have been 
ordered to report to active duty for a period of more than thirty (30) days. 
 
3. ___ I have contacted the military services of the United States and the U.S. Public Health Service and 
have obtained certificates showing that the Respondent is not on active duty status.  These 
certificates are attached. 
 
4. 
___ I have attempted to determine the military status of the Respondent, but do not have 
sufficient information.  This is what I have done to determine whether or not Respondent is on 
active duty in the United States military: 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.912(b), Affidavit of Military Service (12/10) 
 
10 
_________________________________________________________________________________.  
I have no reason to believe that s/he is on active duty at this time. 
 
I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims 
made in this affidavit and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines 
and/or imprisonment. 
 
 
 
Dated:_______________________                   _______________________________________ 
                                                                                  Signature of Petitioner 
Printed Name: _______________________________ 
Address:____________________________________ 
City, State, Zip: ______________________________ 
Telephone Number: __________________________ 
Fax Number: ________________________________ 
 
 
STATE OF FLORIDA 
COUNTY OF _______________________                                        
Sworn to or affirmed and signed before me on __________ by 
__________________________________. 
 
_____________________________________________ 
NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK 
_____________________________________________ 
[Print, type, or stamp commissioned name of notary or 
clerk.] 
___ Personally known 
___ Produced identification 
___ Type of identification produced ____________________________________. 
 
IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW:  
[ fill in all blanks] 
I, {full legal name and trade name of nonlawyer}, __________________________________________,  
a nonlawyer,  whose address is  {street} _________________________________________________, 
{city}______________________________________,{state} _________________,  
{phone}____________, helped {name}_____________________________________________________, 
who is the petitioner, fill out this form. 
 
 
 
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.962, Writ of Bodily Attachment (Child Support) (12/10) 
 
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                        IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE __________ JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, 
IN AND FOR _____________COUNTY, FLORIDA 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Case No:__________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Division: __________________________ 
____________________________, 
Petitioner, 
and  
____________________________, 
Respondent. 
 
WRIT OF BODILY ATTACHMENT 
(Child Support) 
 
TO ALL AND SINGULAR SHERIFFS AND OTHER AUTHORIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL OF 
THE STATE OF FLORIDA 
 
YOU ARE ORDERED to take into custody __________________________________________  
(see attached Description Sheet) and confine him/her in the county jail.  The individual failed to 
appear before the court as ordered, failed to appear at a properly noticed hearing, and/or 
failed to comply with the previous order of the court which is attached and incorporated 
herein. 
 
Service of this writ may be made on any day of the week and any time of the night or day, 
including Sunday and holidays. 
 
YOU ARE FURTHER DIRECTED to bring this person before the court within 48 hours of execution 
of the writ for a hearing to determine the individual’s present ability to pay support and, if so, 
whether the failure to pay such support is willful, pursuant to Rule 12.615(c)(2)(B), Florida 
Family Law Rules of Procedure.  
 
NOTICE OF EXECUTION OF THIS WRIT SHALL IMMEDIATELY BE GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING: 
[choose all that apply] 
 
____ The Office of the Judge/General Magistrate/Child Support Hearing Officer : 
 
 
__________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
__________________________________________________________________ 
 
____ Counsel for the Department of Revenue: 
 
 
__________________________________________________________________ 
 
____ Department of Revenue: 
 
 
__________________________________________________________________ 
 
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.962, Writ of Bodily Attachment (Child Support) (12/10) 
 
12 
 
____ Other: 
 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the individual may purge this contempt and be immediately 
released from custody at any time by the payment of the sum of $_______________________, 
which includes (if applicable):  
 $ ___________________, unpaid support,  
 $ ___________________, Sheriff’s fee,  
 $___________________, Department of Revenue costs.   
 
The court previously found in this proceeding that the individual had the ability to pay said sum.  
The Sheriff, or other authorized law enforcement personnel, executing this writ or having 
custody of the individual is authorized to assess and collect the actual costs associated with 
service of this writ and transportation of the individual pursuant to Section 61.11(2)(a), Florida 
Statutes. 
 
PAYMENT SHALL BE MADE to the Sheriff of ___________________________ County, Florida 
and shall be in the form of cash, cashier’s check, certified funds, or money order.  The purge 
payment clearly marked with the individual’s name and case number, and denoted as a purge 
payment shall be remitted.  
[choose all that apply]: 
 
___ 
The Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court for ________________________, County,  
 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
___ 
The State of Florida Disbursement Unit, P.O. Box 8500, Tallahassee, FL 32314-
8500. 
           ___ 
Other ____________________________________________________________. 
 
The Sheriff’s office, or other authorized law enforcement personnel’s office, receiving payment 
shall provide the individual with a written receipt acknowledging payment. The receipt must be 
carried by the individual for a period of at least 30 days as proof of payment. 
 
If the individual pays the purge and secures his/her release, the Sheriff shall immediately notify: 
_____________________________________________________________________________. 
 
THIS ORDER SUPERSEDES ALL PRIOR CONFLICTING ORDERS. 
 
 
DONE AND ORDERED in _______________ County, Florida this _____ day of                           
______________, 20_____. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CIRCUIT JUDGE 
 
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.962, Writ of Bodily Attachment (Child Support) (12/10) 
 
13 
Copies furnished to: 
____________________________________________________________________________