The Legal or Natural Dependent Affidavit is the supplement that the Alachua County Property Appraiser uses when a homestead exemption is claimed because a legal or natural dependent of the owner permanently lives on the property. It is one of the Alachua County property tax forms and must be completed together with the Homestead Exemption application (DR-501). On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF is published by the Alachua County Property Appraiser.
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What is Legal or Natural Dependent Affidavit – Alachua County, FL?
The Legal or Natural Dependent Affidavit, printed as "Supplement to Application for Homestead Exemption and Declaration of LEGAL OR NATURAL DEPENDENT(S)", is the Alachua County Property Appraiser's sworn statement for owners who claim a homestead exemption because a legal or natural dependent lives on the property.
The form rests on Article VII, Section 6(a) of the Florida Constitution, which allows a property owner with legal or equitable title to qualify for homestead exemption when the property is the permanent residence of a legal or natural dependent of the owner. It also cites Florida Statutes §196.031 and section 196.131(2).
It is a supplement, not a stand-alone application. The form says the applicant must also complete the Homestead Exemption application (DR-501).
The affidavit has three parts:
- A table listing each dependent's name, relationship to the applicant, date of birth and legal resident or immigration status (for example, US Citizen).
- Two questions: whether you live on the property with your dependents, and whether you or your dependents claim a homestead exemption benefit on any other property.
- An affirmation, signed under penalties of perjury, that the property is the true and permanent residence of the dependents and that nothing legally prevents them from living there permanently. It also authorizes the Property Appraiser to obtain information to determine eligibility.
Once granted, the exemption is subject to the automatic renewal provisions of State law, but an exemption based solely on dependents may be removed when they lose dependent status or no longer live on the property.
Who needs to file Legal or Natural Dependent Affidavit – Alachua County, FL?
Property owners with legal or equitable title who are seeking a homestead exemption in Alachua County on the basis of a legal or natural dependent who permanently resides on the property complete this affidavit, together with the Homestead Exemption application (DR-501).
The form is built around the dependents, not around the owner's own residence. It asks you to list each dependent, state your relationship to each one, and say whether you live on the property with them. If you do not, you name who lives with the dependents.
It also applies to you in these situations:
- You or your dependents claim a homestead exemption benefit on another property: you list each full address on question 3.
- You qualify solely because your dependents live on the property: the form warns that the exemption may be removed when they lose dependent status (for example, on reaching age 18) or stop living there.
The applicant signs, prints a name and gives a daytime phone number and email address. The form does not describe anyone else signing for the applicant.
When to file Legal or Natural Dependent Affidavit – Alachua County, FL
Complete the affidavit when you apply for a homestead exemption based on a legal or natural dependent, because the form says to fill it out to apply and to complete the DR-501 application as well. No separate due date is printed on it.
After the exemption is granted, the form sets a continuing duty: notify the Property Appraiser's Office whenever any of these changes occurs: use or ownership of the property; legal status of the owner or of the legal or natural dependents; change of residence of the dependents; or other relevant factors. This matters most when dependents reach age 18 or move away, since an exemption based solely on them may be removed. For application deadlines, ask the Alachua County Property Appraiser.
Documents you need
- Homestead Exemption application (DR-501): the affidavit states the applicant must also complete it when claiming exemption on the basis of legal or natural dependents.
- Copies of birth certificates or immigration documents indicating citizenship for each legal or natural dependent listed in the table on question 1.
- Additional sheets listing further dependents, only if the table on question 1 does not have enough room.
How to fill out Legal or Natural Dependent Affidavit – Alachua County, FL
Confirm the form applies to you
Use it only if you seek homestead exemption because your legal or natural dependent permanently lives on the property. Have the Homestead Exemption application (DR-501) ready, since you must complete it as well.
List each dependent in the table
Under question 1, enter each dependent's name, their relationship to you, their date of birth and their legal resident or immigration status, such as US Citizen.
Add extra sheets if needed
If you have more dependents than the table holds, attach additional sheets with the same four details for each one.
Answer whether you live there
Question 2: mark YES or NO for whether you reside on the property with your dependents. If NO, write who lives with them.
Report other homestead claims
Question 3: mark YES or NO for whether you or your dependents claim a homestead exemption benefit on any other property. If YES, list each full address.
Read the affirmation
The affirmation states that the property is the true and permanent residence of your dependents, with no legal impediments, and authorizes the Property Appraiser to obtain information to determine your eligibility.
Sign and add your contact details
Sign, enter the date and your daytime phone number, then print your name and enter your email address.
Review, download and assemble the package
Check that the table, both answers and the signature block are complete. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble it with the DR-501 and the dependents' documents as described under How to submit.
How to submit Legal or Natural Dependent Affidavit – Alachua County, FL
The affidavit goes to the Alachua County Property Appraiser together with the Homestead Exemption application (DR-501). The form prints no mailing address, portal, office hours or other delivery channel of its own, so confirm how to deliver the package with the Alachua County Property Appraiser's office.
Before you send it, check the package:
- The affidavit is signed and dated, with a daytime phone number, printed name and email address.
- Copies of birth certificates or immigration documents indicating citizenship are attached for each dependent listed.
- Any additional sheets for extra dependents are attached.
- The completed DR-501 is included.
The agency publishes the PDF at https://www.acpafl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Legal-or-Natural-Dependent-Affv-2.pdf. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting the affidavit without the Homestead Exemption application (DR-501), which the form says the applicant must also complete.
- Listing dependents without attaching copies of their birth certificates or immigration documents indicating citizenship.
- Leaving the legal resident or immigration status column blank instead of entering a status such as US Citizen.
- Answering question 3 "NO" when you or your dependents claim a homestead exemption benefit on another property; each full address must be listed if the answer is YES.
- Not saying who lives with the dependents when you answer "NO" to question 2 about residing on the property with them.
- Signing without reading the affirmation: it is made under penalties of perjury, and knowingly giving false information to claim homestead exemption is a first-degree misdemeanor under section 196.131(2), Florida Statutes.
- Failing to notify the Property Appraiser's Office when a dependent turns 18, moves out or loses dependent status after the exemption is granted.
- Listing more dependents than the table holds without attaching additional sheets.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Legal or Natural Dependent Affidavit?
It is the Alachua County Property Appraiser's supplement to the homestead exemption application. You sign it under penalties of perjury to show that your legal or natural dependents permanently live on the property, which is the basis for your exemption claim under Article VII, Section 6(a) of the Florida Constitution.
Do I need this form for my Alachua County property tax homestead exemption?
Only if you claim the exemption because a legal or natural dependent permanently lives on the property. It is one of the Alachua County property tax forms and must accompany the Homestead Exemption application (DR-501), which the form says you must also complete.
What documents do I attach to the dependent affidavit?
Attach copies of birth certificates or immigration documents indicating citizenship for the dependents you list. If you have more dependents than the table holds, attach additional sheets. The Homestead Exemption application (DR-501) is also completed with it.
Do I have to tell the Property Appraiser when my dependent turns 18?
Yes. The form says you must notify the Property Appraiser's Office when use or ownership of the property, legal status of the owner or dependents, or a dependent's residence changes. An exemption based solely on dependents may be removed when they lose dependent status, such as at age 18.
What happens if I give false information on the affidavit?
Under section 196.131(2), Florida Statutes, as quoted on the form, knowingly giving false information to claim homestead exemption is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment up to 1 year, a fine, or both. You also sign under penalties of perjury.
What if I do not live on the property with my dependents?
Mark NO on question 2 and write who lives with your dependents. The form asks this question of every applicant, and the affirmation still requires that the property be the true and permanent residence of the dependents.
Where do I submit the Legal or Natural Dependent Affidavit?
Submit it to the Alachua County Property Appraiser with your DR-501 application. The form prints no address or channel, so contact the Property Appraiser's office to confirm how to deliver the package.
Can I fill out the dependent affidavit online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the affidavit or submit it to the Alachua County Property Appraiser; you deliver it through the agency's channels.
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