Legal Name Change in Florida
Petition the Circuit Court for a name change. We’ll fill out the petition + every follow-up form for free.
A court-ordered name change in Florida uses a verified Petition for Change of Name filed under Florida Statute 68.07 at the Circuit Court in your county of residence. Filing fees run roughly $401 statewide; publication is not required by state law (some counties may still request it); certified copies $2-$10. The process takes 6-8 weeks from filing to your signed order. We fill out all the forms — petition, supporting affidavits, proposed final judgment — and walk you through Social Security, passport, DMV updates after the hearing.
Florida Name Change Forms
Florida has no statewide standardized form numbers. Each circuit court provides its own templates, but the core documents are consistent statewide.
Verified petition under Fla. Stat. 68.07. Current name, requested name, residency, employment history, criminal disclosure.
Proposed order for the judge to sign at your hearing. Your legal proof of name change.
Required filing document for circuit court civil cases. Provided by your county clerk.
Florida’s fee waiver request. Approved based on income and household size.
Step-by-Step Florida Name Change Process
Same 4-step path in every county, with local variation in fees and procedures across Florida’s 67 counties.
Step 1: File Your Petition with the Circuit Court
Submit your verified petition to the clerk of the circuit court in the county where you reside. You’ll pay the filing fee at this time.
Your petition must be verified (sworn under oath) and include specific information about your background, residence, employment, and legal history under Florida Statute 68.07.
Each county may have slightly different procedures, so call ahead to confirm requirements. The petition must be notarized before filing.
Florida law requires that you’re a bona fide resident of the county where you file your petition. You cannot change your name for fraudulent purposes or to avoid debts and legal obligations.
Step 2: Publish Notice (If Required)
Florida typically requires publication of your name change petition in a local newspaper for four consecutive weeks before your hearing. The newspaper must be published in the county where you’re filing.
Publication gives creditors or other interested parties a chance to object. The newspaper will provide you with an affidavit of publication to submit to the court.
Publication can be waived in cases involving domestic violence or other safety concerns — you’ll need to request this waiver in your petition and explain why publication would put you at risk.
Step 3: Attend Your Court Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing after publication is complete. You must appear in person to testify about your petition. The judge will review your background and ensure the name change is for legitimate purposes.
Bring: photo ID, proof of publication (affidavit from the newspaper), supporting documents, and copies of your filed petition.
Your hearing is typically brief and straightforward if your paperwork is complete. The judge will ask you to:
- Confirm the information in your petition is accurate
- Explain why you want to change your name
- Verify that you’re not trying to avoid debts or legal obligations
- Swear that the name change is for legitimate purposes
Bring a photo ID to the hearing and dress professionally. If no creditors or other parties object during the publication period, the judge will typically grant your petition on the spot.
Step 4: Get Your Certified Order
Once the judge grants your petition, get several certified copies of the final judgment from the court clerk — typically $2-$10 each. You’ll need these to update your identification documents and records with various agencies.
After Your Court Order: Updating Your Documents
Federal first. Social Security, then everything else cascades.
Show 6-step update checklist
Form SS-5 with certified order. Free, 2-4 weeks. Required first — most other agencies need your updated SS card.
DS-82 ($130, order <1 year old) or DS-11 ($160). 6-8 weeks.
$25 fee. Bring order + new SS card. Wait 24-48 hours after SSA. Most counties handle this through the local Tax Collector’s office.
Update with your county supervisor of elections. Free.
Form 8822 by mail. Free. Important before tax season.
Order + new license at branch. Same day.
Special Situations in Florida
Florida handles minors, gender identity, and domestic violence situations through the same petition process with key procedural differences.
Show special situations (minors / gender / DV)
Name Changes for Minors
Parents or legal guardians can petition for a minor’s name change in Florida. Both parents typically must consent unless one parent’s rights have been terminated or they cannot be located after reasonable efforts.
- Both parents must consent — or the petitioning parent must show the other’s rights have been terminated or they cannot be located
- Best-interest standard — the court will consider the child’s best interests
- Birth certificate update — the clerk notifies the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for in-state births
See our minor name change guide for the full process.
Gender Identity Name Changes
Florida courts handle gender identity-related name changes through the same petition process. While you’re not required to disclose the reason for your name change beyond stating it’s for legitimate purposes, having documentation from medical or mental health providers can be helpful if questions arise.
- No reason disclosure required — you only need to state the change is for legitimate purposes
- Provider documentation optional — helpful if questions arise but not required
- DMV gender marker — requires a court order or amended birth certificate; self-attestation is not currently accepted
See our gender identity name change guide.
Domestic Violence Situations
If you’re changing your name to escape domestic violence or harassment, you can request that the court waive the publication requirement and seal your case file.
- Publication waiver — request to skip newspaper publication for safety
- Sealed case file — the court can seal your case for privacy
- Include in petition — explain in your initial petition why publication would compromise your safety
Florida Name Change Cost Breakdown
Total: roughly $560-$700 typical. $0-$100 with an indigent-status waiver.
Show full cost table
| Expense | Florida Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | ~$401 | Statewide; civil indigent waiver available |
| Newspaper Publication | $40-$100 | 4 weeks where required; not required by state law |
| Certified Copies (3-4) | $6-$40 | $2-$10 per copy |
| DMV License Update | $25 | After receiving certified order |
| Passport Renewal | $130-$160 | DS-82 or DS-11 |
| Total | $560-$700 | Before fee waivers |
Other state guides
See all 50 state legal-name-change guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a legal name change take in Florida?
A Florida Circuit Court name change typically takes 6-8 weeks from filing your petition to receiving the signed Final Judgment. Timing depends on your county’s court calendar and the speed of any required background check. Publication is not required by Florida statute, so you do not need to budget the four-week publication window that some states require.
Can I change my name to anything I want in Florida?
Florida Circuit Court judges have broad discretion under Fla. Stat. 68.07 but will deny names that are fraudulent, intended to evade creditors or law enforcement, obscene, or that include numbers or symbols. Names that impersonate public figures or could mislead others may also be rejected.
Do I need a lawyer for a Florida name change?
No, Florida lets adult petitioners file pro se in Circuit Court. The Petition for Change of Name under Fla. Stat. 68.07 is straightforward if you meet residency and have no complicating factors. An attorney is worth considering only if you have a felony record, an active criminal case, contested custody, or you are seeking a sealed file for safety reasons.
Is newspaper publication required for a Florida name change?
No. Florida is one of a handful of states where statewide statute does not require newspaper publication for an adult name change. A Florida-mandated background check by FDLE is required instead. Note that a few individual Circuit Courts may still ask for publication by local rule, so confirm with your county clerk before filing.
What if I have a criminal record in Florida?
You must fully disclose any felony convictions on the verified Petition for Change of Name, and Florida requires fingerprinting and an FDLE/FBI background check before the Circuit Court will hear most adult petitions. A record does not automatically disqualify you, but the judge will scrutinize your reasons. If your civil rights have been restored, attach that documentation.
Can I keep my Florida name change confidential for safety reasons?
Yes. If you are escaping domestic violence, stalking, or harassment, you can ask the Florida Circuit Court to seal the case file. Explain the safety risk in your initial petition and attach any supporting documentation (injunctions, police reports, provider letters). The judge can seal the record under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420.
Ready to File Your Florida Petition?
We’ll generate your verified Petition for Change of Name, civil cover sheet, and proposed Final Judgment — filled out and ready to sign. Plus every Social Security, passport, and DMV form for after your hearing.
Start Your Free Florida Court PetitionLast verified 2026-04-26 · Not legal advice · Terms · Privacy