Legal Name Change in Florida
Petition the Circuit Court for a name change.
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 vary statewide; no newspaper publication is required for adults (Fla. Stat. 68.07); certified copies vary; check your court. How long the court process takes varies by county; check your court (official source).
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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: Fingerprints and Background Check (No Publication)
Florida does not require newspaper publication for an adult name change. Instead, you must have fingerprints submitted for a state and national criminal history check before the hearing, unless you are restoring a former name (Fla. Stat. 68.07).
The clerk will tell you how to have fingerprints taken and submitted electronically to FDLE. The hearing can be held once the clerk receives the results; a petition to restore a former name can be heard right after filing.
Step 3: Attend Your Court Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing after the background check results arrive (or right away if you are restoring a former name). 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, 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 your petition is complete and nothing in the background check raises concerns, 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. 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, 5-10 business days by mail after SSA processes your request. Required first — most other agencies need your updated SS card.
The State Department explains which passport form applies to a name change on its Change or Correct a Passport page; its fee calculator and form guide shows what you’ll pay.
Fee varies; check your state's DMV. Bring order + new SS card. Most counties handle this through the local Tax Collector’s office.
Update with your county supervisor of elections. Free.
No separate IRS form for most people: the IRS matches your next return to Social Security records. Free.
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 ask the court to seal your case file.
- Sealed case file — the court can seal your case for privacy
- Include in petition — explain in your initial petition why an open court file would compromise your safety
Florida Name Change Cost Breakdown
Court costs (filing, publication if required, 4 certified copies): Varies; check your court. ID updates are extra. Less with an indigent-status waiver; check your court.
Show full cost table
| Expense | Florida Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | Varies; check your court | Statewide; civil indigent waiver available |
| Newspaper Publication | Varies; check your court | Not required for adults (Fla. Stat. 68.07) |
| Certified Copies (3-4) | Varies; check your court | Varies; check your court |
| DMV License Update | Varies; check your state's DMV | After receiving certified order |
| Passport Renewal | $130 (DS-82); DS-11: $130 + $35 acceptance fee ($165 total) | DS-82 or DS-11 |
| Court costs total | Varies | Filing + publication (if required) + 4 certified copies; ID updates extra |
Other state guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a legal name change take in Florida?
How long the court process takes varies by county; check your court. 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 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?
Many people handle a name change themselves. If your situation involves custody, immigration, or a criminal record, consider talking to a lawyer.
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. Fingerprints are not required if you are restoring a former name (Fla. Stat. 68.07).
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 an adult petition, unless you are restoring a former name (Fla. Stat. 68.07). 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.
Official sources
Forms, fees and rules change. Check these official pages (and your county court) before you file.
- Fla. Stat. 68.07: change of name (fingerprints unless restoring a former name) (The Florida Senate)
- Family law forms (Florida Courts)
- Driver licenses and ID cards (Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)
- Change your name with Social Security (Social Security Administration)
- Replace your Social Security card (card mailed 5-10 business days after processing) (Social Security Administration)
- Name change for a U.S. passport or correct an error (U.S. Department of State)
Links checked 2026-10-09.
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Last verified 2026-04-26 · Not legal advice · Terms · Privacy