Changing Your Name in Florida
How adults change their legal name in Florida: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: A Florida resident files a verified petition with the court (the statute refers to chancery courts) in the county where he or she lives, with detailed background information (birth, residences, family, employment, prior names, bankruptcies, and criminal history, among other items). Fla. Stat. § 68.07
| Legal name change | A Florida resident files a verified petition with the court (the statute refers to chancery courts) in the county where he or she lives, with detailed background information (birth, residences, family, employment, prior names, bankruptcies, and criminal history, among other items). Unless a former name is being restored, the petitioner must submit fingerprints for a state and national criminal history check before the hearing, at the petitioner's cost; the hearing may be held once the results are received. The statute does not require newspaper publication for an adult's own petition. Source: Fla. Stat. § 68.07 |
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| Changing your name after divorce | The general name change statute does not apply to name changes made in a dissolution of marriage case, which are handled within the divorce. Outside a divorce, a person may file a verified petition to change their name in the county where they live. Fingerprinting and a background check are required, except when restoring a former name, and a hearing to restore a former name may be held right after filing. Source: Fla. Stat. § 68.07(1)-(4), (9) |
Where to get help in Florida
More Florida divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Florida
- Adopting a Child in Florida
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Florida
- Establishing Paternity in Florida
- Child Custody Laws in Florida
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Florida
- Divorce Records in Florida
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Florida
- How to File for Divorce in Florida
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Florida
- All Florida divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in Florida?
A Florida resident files a verified petition with the court (the statute refers to chancery courts) in the county where he or she lives, with detailed background information (birth, residences, family, employment, prior names, bankruptcies, and criminal history, among other items). Unless a former name is being restored, the petitioner must submit fingerprints for a state and national criminal history check before the hearing, at the petitioner's cost; the hearing may be held once the results are received. The statute does not require newspaper publication for an adult's own petition.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in Florida?
The general name change statute does not apply to name changes made in a dissolution of marriage case, which are handled within the divorce. Outside a divorce, a person may file a verified petition to change their name in the county where they live. Fingerprinting and a background check are required, except when restoring a former name, and a hearing to restore a former name may be held right after filing.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.