(1) As a condition precedent to service by publication, a statement shall be filed in the action executed by the plaintiff, the plaintiff‘s agent or attorney, setting forth substantially the matters hereafter required, which statement may be contained in a verified pleading, or in an affidavit or other sworn statement.
(2) As used in this chapter:

(a) The word “plaintiff” means any party in the action who is entitled to service of original process on any other party to the action or any person who may be brought in or allowed to come in as a party by any lawful means.

Terms Used In Florida Statutes 49.031

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
  • plaintiff: means any party in the action who is entitled to service of original process on any other party to the action or any person who may be brought in or allowed to come in as a party by any lawful means. See Florida Statutes 49.031
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
  • Precedent: A court decision in an earlier case with facts and law similar to a dispute currently before a court. Precedent will ordinarily govern the decision of a later similar case, unless a party can show that it was wrongly decided or that it differed in some significant way.
  • publication: includes the posting of the notice of action as provided for in ss. See Florida Statutes 49.031
(b) The word “defendant” means any party on whom service by publication is authorized by this chapter, without regard to his or her designation in the pleadings or position in the action.
(c) The word “publication” includes the posting of the notice of action as provided for in ss. 49.10(1)(b) and 49.11.
(3) After the entry of a final judgment or decree in any action no sworn statement shall ever be held defective for failure to state a required fact if the fact otherwise appears from the record in the action.