Frequently Asked Questions About Placing a Legal Notice in Florida

What is a legal notice?

A legal notice is a public announcement required by Florida law to inform the public about certain legal actions, court proceedings, government actions, business matters, foreclosures, estate administrations, and other official matters.

Who is required to publish a legal notice?

Legal notices may be required by attorneys, government agencies, businesses, estate representatives, property owners, lenders, and individuals involved in legal proceedings.

Why do legal notices have to be published?

Florida law requires certain legal actions to be publicly advertised to ensure transparency and provide notice to interested parties and the general public.

Where must a legal notice be published?

To ensure the greatest transparency, reach, and independence legal notices are typically published in the print edition and website of a newspaper. The newspaper must meet Florida's legal notice requirements and serve the county where the notice is required to appear. Notices published in a newspaper must also be placed on the statewide database located at FloridaPublicNotice.com

What information do I need to place a legal notice?

Typically, you will need:

• The complete legal notice text for many commonly placed public notices, templates are provided on floridapublicnotices.com
• The county where publication is required
• The number of times the notice must run
• Contact information for billing and proof of publication

How do I know which county my notice should be published in?

The required county is usually specified by the court, statute, attorney, or government agency involved in your matter. If you are unsure, consult your attorney or the agency requiring the notice.

How much does it cost to publish a legal notice?

Costs vary based on:

• The length of the notice
• The county of publication
• The required number of insertions
• Publication deadlines

Florida Public Notice.com can provide you with a quote and other applicable fees and can schedule your notice with the appropriate publication. Additionally, most publishers can provide a quote before publication.

How do I place a legal notice online?

Floridapublicnotices.com is a full-service site and allowing you to publish your legal notice in both the newspaper and the site itself. It can accept public notices for most counties and most common categories of public notices throughout the state. Many Florida publishers also allow notices to be submitted online. Using floridapublicnotices.com, you can:

1. Select the county where your notice will be published by clicking the “Place a Public Notice” button on Florida Public Notices.com.
2. Select your publication.
3. Utilize the template provided for your type of notice or upload or paste your notice text.
4. Review pricing.
5. Submit payment or billing information.
6. Receive confirmation and publication details.

How long does it take for my notice to be published?

Publication schedules vary by newspaper and publication frequency. Notices are often scheduled for the next available publication date if submitted before the publisher's deadline.

What is an Affidavit of Publication?

An Affidavit of Publication (sometimes called Proof of Publication) is an official document verifying that your legal notice was published as required. This document may be needed for court filings or other legal purposes.

When will I receive my Affidavit of Publication?

Most publishers provide the affidavit after the final required publication date. Delivery may be by mail, email, or both.

Can I make changes after submitting my notice?

Changes may be possible before publication deadlines. Once a notice has been published, corrections may require a revised notice and additional publication costs.

Can attorneys and law firms be billed directly?

Floridapublicnotices.com accepts credit card payment directly at the time of submission. Publishers may also offer direct billing and account services for attorneys, law firms, title companies, and government agencies.

Can I place a legal notice without an attorney?

Yes. Many types of legal notices can be submitted directly by individuals, businesses, estate representatives, and property owners. However, you should ensure the notice content complies with any legal requirements.

Where can I get help with my legal notice?

Floridapublicnotices.com operated by the Florida Press Association contains great resources that can answer most questions. If you are unsure about publication requirements you can contact your attorney, court clerk, or the government agency requiring the notice. They can help ensure your notice is published correctly.