22-24-S IN RE: ADOPTIONS - RECORDING OF FINAL JUDGMENTS IN ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS - 10/17/2022 BY JESSICA RECKSIEDLER
EXCERPT: “WHEREAS, the Court recognizes that Section 63.162(2), Florida Statutes, provides that all papers and records pertaining to an adoption are confidential and subject to inspection only upon order of the Court; and
WHEREAS, the Court recognizes that Section 39.814(3), Florida Statutes, also provides that court records relating to certain proceedings relating to children shall not be open to inspection by the public; and
WHEREAS, the Court also recognizes that Section 28.29, Florida Statutes, requires the Clerk of the Circuit Court (“Clerk”) to record all final judgments of civil actions in the official records, but the recording of a final judgment of adoption in the official records would frustrate the confidentiality provisions of Section 63.162(2), Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the Court also recognizes the need for direction to the Clerk in this area, and for the efficient and proper administration of justice in this county;
IT IS ORDERED that:
1. Unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge in an adoption proceeding, the Clerk shall not release final judgments in those matters from the court file for recording in the official records.
2. All other provisions of Sections 63.162(2) and 39.814(3), Florida Statutes, concerning access to court files in these types of proceedings shall be followed by the Clerk.
3. This Administrative Order shall have immediate effect.
DONE AND ORDERED this 17th day of October 2022.”