Name Change

This process is used when an individual or a family wants to ask the court to change a name. If a name change is to be done because of a dissolution of marriage or an adoption, the name change should be requested as part of that case if a final judgment has not been entered.

All name change petitions, except where a former name is being restored, must include a copy of the petitioner’s electronic fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency or FDLE approved private vendor. The fingerprints are then submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for criminal history records checks. The results are automatically sent to the Clerk’s Office. A background check is not required for petitions to restore a former name.

If the Name Change request is on behalf of a minor, consent may be required from the parent not filing the request and fingerprints of the adult petitioner must be submitted.

When the criminal history has been received by the clerk, the judicial assistant will notify you of the hearing date.

If the petitioner is seeking to restore a former name, a hearing on the petition MAY be held immediately after the petition is filed. The judicial assistant will notify you of the hearing date.

The Clerk of Circuit Court will report name changes to the Department of Health/Vital Statistics. This process takes approximately 30 days.

Forms 12.982 A-G are not to be used in connection with an adoption, dissolution of marriage, or paternity action.