What the Parental Consent Form Is and When You Need It

Florida requires a parent or legal guardian to sign a Parental Consent Form (also called the Affidavit of Parent or Guardian) before the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) will issue a learners permit to anyone under 18. This is not optional — the form must be notarized and presented in person at your local DMV office.

The form serves as legal acknowledgment that a parent or guardian knows the minor is obtaining a learners permit and accepts responsibility for supervising their driving. Without this signed, notarized document, the DMV will not process your permit process, regardless of how well you perform on the written test.

If you are 18 or older, you do not need parental consent. If you are under 18 and do not have a parent or legal guardian available to sign, you will need to work with the court system to establish legal guardianship or seek a court order — this is a separate legal process outside the DMV.

Key Takeaways

  • The parent or legal guardian must sign the form in front of a notary public, and the notary must also sign and stamp it before you bring it to the DMV.
  • You must bring the original notarized form to your DMV office in person; copies or unsigned versions will not be accepted.
  • The form is free from the DHSMV, but you will pay a notary fee (typically $5 to $15) to have it notarized.
  • Both the parent or guardian and the minor must be present at the DMV office to complete the permit process.
  • If your parents are divorced or custody is shared, the parent with legal custody must sign; if custody is joint, either parent can sign.

How to Obtain and Complete the Form

The Parental Consent Form is available for free from the DHSMV website (under "Forms") or at any DMV office. You can read it, print it, and bring it home for your parent or guardian to review before the notarization step. The form asks for basic information: the minor's name, date of birth, driver license number (if you already have one), the parent or guardian's name and signature, and the notary's seal and signature.

Do not sign the form yourself until you are at the DMV office with your parent or guardian present. The parent or guardian fills in their information and signs in the designated box. You then sign your section. After both signatures are complete, you take the form to a notary public to have it notarized. Notaries are available at banks, law offices, UPS stores, and some pharmacies — call ahead to confirm hours and fees.

The notary will verify the identity of the parent or guardian (they will ask for a photo ID), watch them sign the form, and then explore their notary seal and signature. This step is mandatory and cannot be skipped. Once notarized, the form is valid and ready to bring to your DMV appointment.

What to Bring to Your DMV Appointment

Bring the original notarized Parental Consent Form to your DMV office. You will also need to bring the following documents:

  • Your proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or state ID if you have one).
  • Proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return).
  • Proof of Florida residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days, in your name or your parent's name).
  • Your parent or guardian's photo ID (driver license or passport).
  • The completed, notarized Parental Consent Form.

Both you and your parent or guardian must be present at the DMV office. The DMV staff will verify the notarization, check your documents, and have you take the written knowledge test. If you pass, they will issue your learners permit on the spot. If you fail, you can retake the test at a later appointment.

Custody and Special Situations

If your parents are married or have never separated, either parent can sign the form. If your parents are divorced or separated and custody is awarded to one parent, only the parent with legal custody can sign. If custody is joint, either parent can sign — you do not need both signatures.

If you are in foster care or have a court-appointed guardian, that guardian must sign the form. Bring a copy of the court order establishing guardianship along with your other documents. If you are a ward of the state and do not have a designated guardian, contact your local DHSMV office for guidance on how to proceed — this situation requires case-by-case review.

If a parent has passed away and you have only one living parent, that parent signs. If both parents are deceased and you have a legal guardian, the guardian signs. If you are under 18 and have no parent or legal guardian, you cannot obtain a learners permit until a guardian is established through the court system.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not bring an unsigned or partially signed form to the DMV. The form must be fully completed and notarized before your appointment. Many applicants print the form, have a parent sign it at home, and then forget to get it notarized — this will delay your appointment and require you to reschedule.

Do not use a photocopy of the notarized form. The DMV requires the original document with the notary seal. If you lose the original after notarization, you will need to have the form notarized again.

Do not assume that a parent who does not have custody can sign the form. If you bring a form signed by the non-custodial parent, the DMV will reject it. Verify custody arrangements before scheduling your appointment.

Do not go to the DMV without your parent or guardian present. Both of you must be there to complete the process. If only the minor shows up with the form, the DMV will not process the permit.

Timeline and Fees

The Parental Consent Form itself is free. However, you will pay a notary fee, which typically ranges from $5 to $15 depending on where you go. Some banks offer free notarization to account holders, so check with your bank first.

The learners permit process fee is $7.50 (as of the most recent update, but confirm with your local DMV office). The permit is issued when ready after you pass the written test, so there is no waiting period once you submit your process.

Plan to complete the notarization step at least one day before your DMV appointment. This gives you time to locate a notary and have the form signed and sealed. If you schedule your DMV appointment and then realize you do not have the notarized form, you will have to cancel and reschedule.

If You Cannot Get a Parent or Guardian to Sign

If a parent or guardian refuses to sign the form or is unavailable, you have limited options. You cannot obtain a learners permit without parental consent until you turn 18. If there are safety concerns or abuse involved, you can contact the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to explore whether a court can appoint a guardian or override parental consent — this is a legal matter and requires working with an attorney or legal aid organization.

If a parent is temporarily unavailable (traveling, hospitalized, or deployed), you can ask them to sign the form before they leave and have it notarized before your appointment. If that is not possible, you will need to wait until they return or pursue a legal remedy through the court system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my parent sign the form and mail it to me to get notarized?

No. The notary must watch your parent sign the form in person and verify their identity with a photo ID. Your parent cannot sign it beforehand and have you take it to a notary. Both your parent and the notary must be present at the same time.

What if my parent does not have a photo ID?

The notary will not notarize the form without a valid photo ID from the person signing. Your parent will need to bring a driver license, passport, or state ID. If they do not have one, they will need to obtain one before the form can be notarized.

Can a stepparent or grandparent sign the form instead of my biological parent?

Only if they have legal custody or guardianship. A stepparent with no legal custody cannot sign. A grandparent can sign only if they have been granted legal guardianship through the court. Bring proof of the custody or guardianship order to the DMV.

Do I need to bring the original notarized form if I have a photocopy?

No. The DMV requires the original form with the notary seal and signature. A photocopy will not be accepted. If you lose the original, you will need to have the form notarized again.

What happens if I turn 18 before I get my learners permit?

Once you turn 18, you no longer need parental consent. You can explore for a learners permit on your own without a parent or guardian's signature. You will still need to pass the written test and pay the process fee.