Jan 21, 2026
Finalizing Your Florida Adoption—Wherever You Are in the State
When you’re a Florida resident ready to finalize your adoption, location shouldn’t be a hurdle. At Tate Healey Webster, we ensure families across the Sunshine State—whether in bustling cities, quiet rural areas, or along the coast—can complete their adoptions smoothly and confidently.
You don’t need to be near a courthouse or one of our six offices to work with us. Whether you’re in Miami, Fort Myers, the Panhandle, or anywhere else in the state, we can help.
Where Can We File Your Adoption? Understanding Venue in Florida
Florida law provides flexibility when it comes to where your termination of parental rights case can be filed. This is called venue, and in most cases, we can file your petition in:
- The county where the child resides, or
- The county where the adoption entity (the placing agency or attorney) is located
This means we can often file in the county where we sit—making things easier and more efficient for you. So even if you’re located hours from our offices in Tampa, Orlando, Naples, Merritt Island, Jacksonville, or Boca Raton, we can likely file and finalize your adoption in a way that minimizes travel and delays.
You Have Options: In-Person or Virtual Finalization
In Florida, final hearings can be held either in person or virtually, depending on your preference and the court’s availability. Many courts now routinely allow virtual finalizations via secure platforms like Zoom.
That said, if an in-person finalization feels more meaningful to your family, we can help make that happen too. Some families enjoy making the final hearing a special occasion—traveling to court, taking photos with the judge, or returning to the place where their adoption story began.
Either way, our role remains the same: to handle every legal detail and stand beside you on one of the most important days of your life. Ready to discuss your options for a seamless Florida adoption finalization? Contact us today.
Adoption Types We Finalize Across Florida
We routinely help families finalize a wide variety of adoptions, including:
- Newborn Adoptions
- Relative Adoptions (grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, etc.)
- Adoptions of Children from Foster Care
- Adoption Agency Finalizations
- Stepparent Adoptions
- Matched Adoptions
- Adult Adoptions
No matter the type, we bring the same level of care, experience, and commitment to every case.
Why Work With Tate Healey Webster?
As leading Florida adoption attorneys, we are the largest law firm in Florida dedicated exclusively to adoption and assisted reproductive law. Our attorneys include five of the 28 board-certified adoption specialists in the state, and we serve clients statewide with unmatched knowledge and compassion.
We’ll Meet You Where You Are—Literally and Legally
Finalizing your Florida adoption shouldn’t be complicated just because you’re not near a courthouse. With flexible venue rules and a team that serves all of Florida, Tate Healey Webster is here to help you complete your adoption with confidence—wherever you are.
Offices in: Tampa | Orlando | Naples | Merritt Island | Jacksonville | Boca Raton 
Call 813.258.3355 or schedule a consultation
