Educational reference. This page summarizes a Florida Rule of Civil Procedure for educational purposes. The rule text and Committee Notes are mirrored from the Florida Bar's official publication and are public domain. The plain-English summary is the opinion of Phillips, Hunt & Walker and is general information only — not legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.
What this rule means in plain English
Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.625 — Proceedings Against Surety on Judicial — sets out the procedural requirements for this aspect of Florida civil practice. BONDS …………………………………………………. 187
Rule Text (verbatim from the Florida Supreme Court)
BONDS …………………………………………………. 187
Florida Rule 1.625 governs constructive service of process — how to serve a defendant who cannot be located by ordinary personal service, including the affidavit of diligent search and the publication requirements.
▶ Watch: Rule 1.625 — Constructive Service of Process
Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.625 — Proceedings Against Surety on Judicial
Last verified from official source: April 30, 2026 · Source: Florida Bar — Florida Rules of Civil Procedure (eff. April 1, 2026), p. 3
Rule Text (verbatim)
BONDS
When any rule or statute requires or permits giving of bond by a party in a judicial proceeding, the surety on the bond submits to the jurisdiction of the court when the bond is approved. The surety must furnish the address for the service of documents affecting the surety’s liability on the bond to the officer to whom the bond is given at that time. The liability of the surety may be enforced on motion without the necessity of an independent action. The motion must be served on the surety at the address furnished to the officer. The surety must serve a response to the motion within 20 days after service of the motion, asserting any defenses in law or in fact. If the surety fails to serve a response within the time allowed, a default may be taken. If the surety serves a response, the issues raised must be decided by the court on reasonable notice to the parties. The right to jury trial shall not be abridged in any such proceedings.
Committee Notes
1990 Adoption. This rule is intended to avoid the necessity of an independent action against a surety on judicial bonds. It does not abolish an independent action if the obligee prefers to file one.
Plain-English Breakdown
Practitioner notes by John M. Phillips, Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer — coming soon. Watch the video at the top of this page for the plain-English breakdown.
Rule Text (Verbatim)
The text below is mirrored verbatim from the Florida Bar’s official publication. Public domain.
BONDS …………………………………………………. 187
Committee Notes
View Committee Notes (legislative history)
No Committee Notes for this rule version.
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This page summarizes a Florida Rule of Civil Procedure for educational purposes. The rule text and Committee Notes are mirrored from the Florida Bar’s official publication and are public domain. The plain-English summary is the opinion of Phillips, Hunt & Walker and is general information only — not legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.