Download legal forms from the Florida Courts website.
You may file a case with the Clerk’s office to determine the paternity of a child.
- The paternity case must be in the circuit court where the petitioner resides or the county where the respondent resides.
- The court will decide any paternity issues and the ability to support the child.
- Other fees or costs, such as medical, hospital/childbirth expenses, or attorney fees, may be awarded.
- The court may order an appropriate parenting plan and time-sharing schedule.
Parties may be required to submit to scientific testing to show a probability of paternity (see Florida Statute 742.12).
One-Sided Copies Only!
Before you hit "Print," please double-check your printer settings. All forms must be printed ONE-SIDED before submission to our office.
Paternity Links
Paternity FAQs
How can I file for custody of my child?
Were the natural parents of the child or children ever married?
- If you answer YES: You may download the Petition for Dissolution of marriage. Please ensure that you read the instructions to make sure you fill out the correct packet specific to your situation.
- If you answer NO: You may download the Petition to Determine Paternity form and when you are ready to file, the filing fee prices and packet costs are listed on our fees page. ALL FEES MUST BE PAID IN CASH, MONEY ORDER, PERSONAL CHECK, ATTORNEY CHECK or CREDIT CARD (AMERICAN EXPRESS, MASTER CARD, VISA or DISCOVER). Make checks payable to: Clerk and Comptroller, St. Lucie County. Please write your telephone number and driver license number on the check. Credit card payments incur an additional fee.
What do I do to establish paternity and related relief?
You must file a petition to ask the court to establish paternity (who is the legal father), a Parenting Plan, Time-Sharing Schedule and/or support of a minor child.
You may obtain paternity forms at the Florida Courts website.
Scientific testing may be necessary to establish paternity (Florida Statutes 742.12).
Licia Peterman
Family Manager
Licia first joined the Clerk’s office in 2002 in the child support division. In 2009, she became the administrative assistant for Performance Management, where she assisted with state compliance and reporting and maintained the e-Filing portal system. In 2018, she became the Family Manager, which is responsible for maintaining and updating records for all family and child support cases.
Contact Us
Family Relations Dept.
201 South Indian River Drive, 2nd Floor
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Directions to this Location
Mailing Address
Clerk and Comptroller
Attn: Family Relations Department
P. O. Box 700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Hours of Operation
8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
(Excluding Holidays)
Phone: 772-462-6900
Fax: 772-462-2843
