Family · Name Change
Adult Name Change in Florida
How to legally change your name as an adult in Florida: whether you must publish notice, the approximate court fee, whether a background check is required, and the steps. Cited to the statute or court.
The name-change process in Florida
The steps in order, whether publication or a background check applies, and the waivers.
| The process | What it means |
|---|---|
| 1. File the petition | File a Petition for Change of Name (Adult) in the circuit court of the county where you are a bona fide resident and domiciled, and pay the filing fee. |
| 2. Fingerprints and background check | Have fingerprints taken and submitted electronically to FDLE, which forwards them to the FBI. The statute requires this check before the court hearing. There is no publication step. |
| 3. Hearing or approval | The judge holds a hearing after the background-check results arrive and, if satisfied, signs the Final Judgment of Change of Name. |
| 4. Certified copies and updates | Buy certified copies of the final judgment and update Social Security, your driver license, passport, and other records. |
| Requirements and waivers | What it means |
|---|---|
| Fingerprint background check required | The statute requires a state (FDLE) and national (FBI) criminal history records check before the hearing, except when restoring a former name. Fingerprint-vendor cost is separate, roughly $40 to $60. |
| No ulterior or illegal purpose | The change must not be for any ulterior or illegal purpose and must not invade the rights of others, and you may not change your name to escape creditors or a criminal record. |
| Restoring a former name skips the check | Someone restoring a former name is excepted from the fingerprint requirement. |
What you can do right now
Concrete, neutral steps to start a name change in Florida. This is legal information, not legal advice.
- File in your county circuit court
File a Petition for Change of Name (Adult) in the circuit court of the county where you are a bona fide resident.
- Get fingerprinted early
The FDLE and FBI background check must clear before the hearing, so get fingerprinted promptly to avoid delay.
- Do not expect a publication step
Florida requires no newspaper publication, so once the background check is complete, the court can set the hearing and sign the final judgment.
- Get certified copies of the judgment
After the judge signs, buy several certified copies for Social Security, your driver license, and other records.
Court forms, fees, and publication rules are set locally. This resource points to the court self-help or an attorney who can guide you.
→ The Florida Bar — Lawyer Referral ServiceThis is general legal information, not legal advice. Fees, publication, and background-check rules are set by local courts and change, so confirm the current requirements with your clerk or a licensed attorney.
The Florida name-change process in detail
A Florida adult name change, like Texas, trades publication for a background check. Under §68.07 you file a Petition for Change of Name in the circuit court of the county where you are a bona fide resident and domiciled, then submit fingerprints for a state FDLE and national FBI criminal history check, which the statute expressly requires before the hearing. There is no newspaper publication requirement. Once the results come back and the judge is satisfied the change is not for an ulterior or illegal purpose, they sign the Final Judgment of Change of Name. The court filing fee is largely uniform statewide at about $401, though clerks add small charges, so confirm the exact figure locally, and the fingerprint vendor and certified copies are separate costs. Someone simply restoring a former name is excepted from the fingerprint check. As everywhere, you cannot change your name to escape creditors or a criminal record. This is the standalone adult petition; taking a spouse’s name in marriage or restoring one in a divorce decree is a separate, easier route.
Common questions
Do I have to publish a name change in the newspaper in Florida?
No. Section 68.07 contains no publication requirement. Instead, it requires a state and national fingerprint background check before the hearing.
How much does a name change cost in Florida?
About $401 for the circuit-court filing fee, largely uniform statewide though clerks add small charges. Fingerprinting (roughly $40 to $60) and certified copies are separate costs.
Do I need a background check for a Florida name change?
Yes. The statute requires a state (FDLE) and national (FBI) fingerprint criminal history check before the court hearing, except when you are restoring a former name.
How long does a Florida name change take?
Roughly six to twelve weeks, driven by the fingerprint and background-check turnaround, since the hearing cannot be set until the results arrive.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.