The cost to change your name in Florida is $402.50 in court filing fees, plus the cost of publishing a notice in a local newspaper, which typically runs $50 to $150.
The court filing fee is set by Florida law and does not vary by county. The newspaper publication cost depends on which newspaper you use and how many times the notice runs — Florida requires publication once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where you live. Some newspapers charge a flat rate; others charge by the line. You will also need certified copies of the final court order, which cost roughly $2 to $5 per copy depending on the county clerk's office.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask the court to waive it by filing a motion and showing your income and expenses. The judge decides whether to grant the waiver. This does not waive the newspaper publication cost.
Key Takeaways
- The Florida court filing fee for a name change is $402.50 and is the same in every county.
- You must publish a legal notice in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks, which costs $50 to $150 depending on the newspaper.
- Certified copies of your final court order cost $2 to $5 each and you will likely need several for banks, employers, and government agencies.
- If you cannot pay the filing fee, you can request a fee waiver by submitting a financial statement to the court.
- The total out-of-pocket cost is usually between $500 and $600 before certified copies.
Where the $402.50 filing fee goes
The $402.50 is paid to the Florida court clerk when you file your petition for name change. This fee covers the cost of processing your case, maintaining the court file, and issuing the final order. You pay it once, when you submit your paperwork to the clerk's office in person or by mail.
Some counties allow you to pay by check, credit card, or money order. Call your county clerk's office before you go to confirm which payment methods they accept. The clerk will give you a receipt and a case number, which you will need to reference when you publish the newspaper notice.
Newspaper publication costs and how to find a publisher
Florida law requires you to publish a notice of your name change petition in a newspaper of general circulation in your county once a week for two consecutive weeks. The newspaper will charge you for this service. Costs vary widely — some newspapers charge $50 to $75 for the two-week run, while others charge $100 to $150 or more, depending on the size of the newspaper and the length of the notice.
Call the legal notice department of newspapers in your county and ask for a quote. The Tampa Bay Times, Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, and smaller regional papers all publish legal notices. You do not have to use the largest newspaper in the county — any newspaper of general circulation will satisfy the law. After publication, the newspaper will send you an affidavit of publication, which you file with the court as proof that you completed this step.
Certified copies and why you need them
Once the judge signs your name change order, you will need certified copies to show banks, employers, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and other agencies. The county clerk's office issues certified copies for a fee of roughly $2 to $5 per copy, though the exact price varies by county.
Order at least five to ten certified copies when you pick up your final order. It is cheaper to order them all at once than to return to the clerk's office later. Some agencies will accept a photocopy of the certified copy; others require the original. Ask each agency what they need before you decide how many copies to order.
Fee waivers if you cannot afford the filing fee
If the $402.50 filing fee is a hardship, you can file a motion asking the court to waive it. You will need to complete a financial affidavit showing your income, expenses, and assets. The form is called the "Affidavit of Indigency" or "Financial Affidavit" and is available from your county clerk's office or the court's website.
File this form along with your name change petition. The judge will review it and decide whether to waive the fee. There is no charge to file the motion for a fee waiver. If the judge grants it, you will not owe the $402.50. However, a fee waiver does not cover the newspaper publication cost — you will still need to pay for that.
Timeline and total cost estimate
The entire process typically takes four to eight weeks from the time you file until you receive your final order. The newspaper publication happens during the first two weeks. After publication, you file the affidavit of publication with the court, and the judge reviews your petition. If everything is in order, the judge signs the order and the clerk mails it to you.
Your total out-of-pocket cost will be roughly $500 to $600: the $402.50 filing fee, $50 to $150 for newspaper publication, and $10 to $50 for five to ten certified copies. If you request and receive a fee waiver, you will pay only the newspaper and certified copy costs, which total $60 to $200.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name without publishing a notice in the newspaper?
No. Florida law requires publication in a newspaper of general circulation for two consecutive weeks. There is no exception to this requirement, even if you are changing your name for safety reasons. The notice must include your current name, the name you want, and your case number.
What if I cannot afford both the filing fee and the newspaper cost?
You can request a fee waiver for the $402.50 filing fee by submitting a financial affidavit to the court. However, the fee waiver does not cover newspaper publication. You will still need to pay for the newspaper notice. Some newspapers may offer discounts or payment plans — call and ask.
Do I need certified copies right away, or can I order them later?
You can order them later, but it is usually cheaper to order several at once when you pick up your final order from the clerk. If you order them separately, you will pay the clerk's fee each time. Most agencies will accept certified copies ordered weeks or months after your name change is finalized.
Does the cost differ if I change my child's name instead of my own?
The filing fee and newspaper publication requirement are the same for a child's name change. However, the process is slightly different — you will need to file a petition on behalf of the minor and may need consent from both parents or a court order. The costs remain $402.50 plus newspaper and certified copy fees.
Can I use an online legal service to reduce the cost?
Online legal document services can prepare your paperwork for a fee of $100 to $300, but you still must pay the court filing fee ($402.50) and newspaper publication cost. These services do not reduce the mandatory court and publication costs — they only help you fill out the forms correctly so your petition is not rejected.