Legal name change in Florida
In Florida, you file a Petition for Change of Name (Form 12.982(a)) in the Circuit Court of the county where you live. A court order is required. Fingerprint submission and a criminal background check are typically required for adults. Gender marker changes on state documents are restricted and should be verified with the relevant agency.
Quick facts
Court
Circuit Court (20 judicial circuits)
Filing fee
$300–$400 (varies by county)
Timeline
Varies widely by county
Residency
Must be a Florida resident
Publication
Varies by county and circumstance
Fee waiver
May be available; check with your court
Gender marker options
Restricted — verify with the relevant agency
Forms you may need
12.982(a) — Petition for Change of Name (Adult)
The main petition form for adult name change in Florida.
View form Source: Florida Courts12.982(b) — Final Judgment of Change of Name (Adult)
The proposed final judgment granting the name change.
Source: Florida Courts12.982(c) — Petition for Change of Name (Minor)
Petition form for minor name change in Florida.
Source: Florida CourtsFiling fees & fee waiver
Filing fees range from approximately $300 to $400 depending on the county.
Fee waiver availability: Verify with your local court
Fee amounts vary by county. Check with your Circuit Court clerk for the exact fee. Fee waiver availability should be confirmed with the court.
Publication & privacy
Publication requirements in Florida vary by county and circumstance. Some counties may require newspaper publication while others do not. Check with your local court.
Publication and privacy rules should be verified with your local court. If safety is a concern, ask the clerk about available privacy protections.
Gender marker notes
Gender marker changes on Florida driver licenses and state IDs are currently restricted. Policy changes since 2024 have limited the availability of gender marker updates. This path should be verified with the relevant agency before proceeding.
Available options: M, F
Self-attestation: No
Medical proof required: Yes
Gender marker update paths are restricted and should be verified with the relevant agency. X marker is not currently available on Florida state documents.
What happens after the court order
After receiving your court order, update your records in the following order. Some gender marker updates may not be available in Florida — verify with each agency.
- Social Security Administration (SS-5)
- Florida DMV (driver license or ID) — verify current gender marker policy
- U.S. Passport
- Florida birth certificate (DOH) — name only; gender marker restricted
- Employer / payroll (HR)
- Bank and financial accounts
- Health insurance
- IRS / tax records
- Voter registration
- TSA PreCheck / Global Entry
County notes
Florida has 67 counties organized into 20 judicial circuits. Procedures vary by county. Confirm with your local Circuit Court clerk.
What you can use for free
Free guides explain the general process. Complete helps apply the process to your situation.
Free
- State-level filing overview
- Official court and agency links
- Filing fee and publication notes
- General fee waiver information
- General post-court checklist
Complete
- Personalized filing sequence
- County prep notes where available
- Privacy path analysis
- Fee waiver checklist
- California packet builder beta
- Exportable post-court roadmap
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a background check to change my name in Florida?
Yes, in most cases. Florida typically requires fingerprint submission and a criminal background check for adult name changes, except when restoring a former name.
Can I change my gender marker on my Florida driver license?
Gender marker changes on Florida driver licenses are currently restricted. Policy has been updated since 2024. Verify current policy with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles directly.
Is there a hearing for a name change in Florida?
Typically yes. Most Florida name changes require a hearing before a judge, though scheduling and procedures vary by county.
What forms do I need for an adult name change in Florida?
The primary form is Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(a). Additional forms may be required by your local court.
Official sources
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NameRight is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We provide self-help information, document preparation tools, and public court process guidance based on publicly available information. Court procedures and eligibility rules can change, and your situation may require advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Full legal disclaimer