OVERVIEW OF THE NAME CHANGE PROCESS IN FLORIDA (ADULT)

In the state of Florida, the name change process for an adult begins with the filing of a petition with the Circuit Court in the jurisdiction where the petitioner resides. The petitioner must also submit an official set of fingerprints when they file their petition (or shortly thereafter), except where a petitioner is merely trying to restore a former name.

The court will schedule a hearing on the name change petition shortly after it is filed. The time frame for this hearing will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Assuming the court finds that all legal requirements have been satisfied and that there is no good reason for denying the petition, the court will then issue a final judgment (or order) for the name change. The petitioner is then free to assume their new name.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A NAME CHANGE PETITION IN FLORIDA (ADULT)

Florida law has several requirements for filing an adult name change petition. These requirements include the following:

• You must currently reside in Florida.
• You must currently reside in the County where the name change petition will be filed.
• You must be an adult (18 years of age or older).
• You must not have an ulterior or illegal purpose for filing the name change petition, and granting it will not in any manner invade the property rights of others, whether partnership, patent, good will, privacy, trademark, or otherwise.
• You must not have had your civil rights suspended, or, if they have been suspended, they have been fully restored.

OVERVIEW OF THE NAME CHANGE PROCESS IN FLORIDA (MINOR)

In the state of Florida, the name change process for a minor begins with the filing of a petition with the Circuit Court in the jurisdiction where the minor resides. The petition must be filed by a parent, legal guardian, or guardian ad litem, acting on behalf of the minor. If only one parent files for the name change, the non-petitioning parent must either (1) consent to the name change or (2) be served with the name change petition and hearing date (constructive notice by publication may be allowed if the non-consenting parent is a non-resident). The petitioner (or petitioners) and the minor must also submit an official set of fingerprints when they file (or shortly after they file) their petition.

The court will schedule a hearing on the name change petition shortly after it is filed. The time frame for this hearing will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Assuming the court finds that all legal requirements have been satisfied and that there is no good reason for denying the petition, the court will then issue a final judgment (or order) for the name change. The minor is then free to assume their new name.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A NAME CHANGE PETITION IN FLORIDA (MINOR)

Florida law has several requirements for filing a minor name change petition. These requirements include the following:

• The minor must currently reside in Florida.
• The minor must currently reside in the County where the name change petition will be filed.
• The minor must be a minor (17 years of age or younger).
• The petitioner and the minor must not have an ulterior or illegal purpose for filing the name change petition, and granting it will not in any manner invade the property rights of others, whether partnership, patent, good will, privacy, trademark, or otherwise.
• The petitioner and the minor must not have had their civil rights suspended, or, if they have been suspended, they have been fully restored.
• All adults who retain legal rights over the minor must provide written consent to the name change, or be properly notified of the name change petition and hearing.

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