Rule 9.045 Form of Documents

(a) Generally. All documents filed with the court must comply with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.520 and with this rule. If filed in electronic format, parties must file only the electronic version.

(b) Line Spacing, Type Size, and Typeface. The text in documents must be black and in distinct type, double-spaced. Text in script or type made in imitation of handwriting is not permitted. Footnotes and quotations may be single-spaced and must be in the same size type, with the same spacing between characters, as the text in the body of the document. Headings and subheadings must be at least as large as the document’s text and may be single- spaced. Computer-generated documents must be filed in either Arial 14-point font or Bookman Old Style 14-point font.

(c) Binding. Documents filed in paper format should be held together by removeable paper clips and must not be stapled or bound.

(d) Signature. All documents filed with the court must be signed as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.515.

(e) Certificate of Compliance. Computer-generated documents subject to word count limits must contain a certificate of compliance signed by counsel, or the party if unrepresented, certifying that the document complies with the applicable font and word count limit requirements. The certificate must be contained in the document immediately following the certificate of service. The word count excludes words in a caption, cover page, table of contents, table of citations, certificate of compliance, certificate of service, or signature block. The word count includes all other words, including words used in headings, footnotes, and quotations. The person preparing the certificate may rely on the word count of the word-processing system used to prepare the document.