The Florida name change process starts in circuit court, costs between $150 and $300, and takes about four to six weeks from filing to final order

You file a petition in the circuit court of the county where you live, pay the filing fee, attend a brief hearing (usually uncontested), and receive a court order. That order is your legal proof of the name change. You then use it to update your driver's license, Social Security record, passport, and other documents. The whole process is public — your petition and hearing are court records — but Florida does not require you to publish a notice in a newspaper the way some states do.

The court will grant your petition unless you have a criminal conviction for certain crimes, are trying to evade child support or other court orders, or the judge finds the change would harm someone else. Most petitions are approved without objection.

Key Takeaways

  • You file a petition in your county's circuit court, not online or by mail — you must file in person or through a lawyer.
  • The filing fee ranges from $150 to $300 depending on your county, and you pay it when you file the petition.
  • You attend a hearing before a judge, which usually lasts a few minutes and requires no lawyer, though you can hire one if you want.
  • After the judge signs the order, you use certified copies to update your name with the Social Security Administration, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and other agencies.
  • If you have a criminal record, certain convictions will disqualify you, and the court will tell you which ones when you file.

What you need to bring to the circuit court

You need a completed Petition to Change Name form (Form 12.901(b)(1) in Florida's court system). Your county's circuit court clerk's office has this form, or you can read it from the Florida Supreme Court's website. The form asks for your current legal name, the name you want, your date of birth, your current address, and your reason for the change. You do not need a lawyer to fill it out — the language is straightforward.

Bring the original petition plus one copy to the clerk's office, along with a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport). You will also need to pay the filing fee at that time. Some counties accept payment by card or check; a few still require cash. Call your county clerk's office before you go to confirm what they take.

If you have been arrested or convicted of any crime in Florida or anywhere else, bring documentation of that too — the court will ask. You do not need to volunteer it, but if you have a record and do not disclose it, the judge may deny your petition or set it aside later.

How the hearing works and what to expect

After you file, the court schedules a hearing, usually within two to four weeks. You will receive a notice in the mail with the date, time, and courtroom. Arrive 15 minutes early. Dress neatly — you are in front of a judge, and appearance matters.

The judge will ask you your current name, the name you want, and why you want to change it. Common reasons are marriage, divorce, religious or cultural identity, or personal preference. You do not need a dramatic reason — "I prefer this name" is enough. The judge may ask a few follow-up questions, but the hearing usually takes three to five minutes. You do not need a lawyer, though you can bring one if it makes you more comfortable.

If no one objects to your petition (which is rare), the judge will sign an order right there or mail it to you within a few days. If someone does object — for example, a creditor or someone claiming you are trying to hide from them — the hearing becomes longer and you may want legal help. Objections are uncommon in routine name changes.

Updating your name with government agencies

Once you have the court order, you need to update your name in several places. Start with the Social Security Administration. Go to your local Social Security office with the court order and your photo ID. They will update your record and issue a new Social Security card with your new name. This usually takes one to two weeks. You can also mail your documents to Social Security, but going in person is faster.

Next, update your Florida driver's license or ID card at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Go to any Florida DMV office with your court order, current license, and photo ID. The fee is $20 to $25 depending on whether you renew at the same time. You will get a new license with your new name on the spot or within a few days.

If you have a passport, update it with the U.S. State Department. Mail your current passport, the court order, a new passport photo, and the appropriate form (DS-11 for a new passport or DS-82 for a renewal) to the State Department. Processing takes four to six weeks for routine service, or one to two weeks if you pay for expedited service.

Update your name with your bank, employer, insurance companies, and any other organizations that have your legal name on file. They will each have their own process, but all will accept the court order as proof.

Filing fees and costs by county

The court filing fee varies by county. Most Florida counties charge between $150 and $300. Some charge a flat fee; others charge based on the type of petition. Call your county clerk's office or check their website to find the exact amount before you go. You will also pay small fees to get certified copies of the court order — usually $1 to $2 per page, and you will want at least three or four copies.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask the court to waive it by filing a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (a request to proceed without paying court costs because of financial hardship). The judge will review your income and assets and decide whether to waive the fee. This does not delay the process — you file the motion at the same time as your petition.

Criminal convictions that may block a name change

Florida law bars name changes for people convicted of certain crimes. The blocked crimes are felonies involving fraud, identity theft, or crimes against children. If you have been convicted of one of these crimes, the court will deny your petition. The law lists the specific offenses, and the clerk's office can tell you whether your conviction falls under the ban.

If you have other felony convictions (not on the blocked list) or misdemeanors, you can still change your name. The court may ask about them, but they do not automatically disqualify you. Be honest when you file — hiding a criminal record will cause the judge to deny your petition or set it aside later.

How long the whole process takes

From the day you file to the day you receive the signed court order is usually four to six weeks. The clerk schedules your hearing within two to four weeks of filing. The hearing itself takes a few minutes. The judge signs the order when ready or mails it within a few days. Updating your Social Security record takes another one to two weeks, and your driver's license is updated on the spot or within a few days.

If someone objects to your petition, the process takes longer — sometimes two to three months — because the court will schedule a second hearing to resolve the objection. But objections are rare in routine name changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to change my name in Florida?

No. The petition form is straightforward, the hearing is brief, and most judges will approve uncontested petitions without a lawyer present. You can hire one if you want help or if someone objects to your petition, but it is not required for a straightforward name change.

Can I change my child's name?

Yes, but you need consent from both parents or a court order giving you sole parental authority. If the other parent does not consent, you will need to file a separate petition and the judge will hold a hearing to decide whether the change is in the child's best interest. This is more complex than an adult name change and often requires a lawyer.

Will my old name still show up in public records?

Yes. The court order is public, and your petition and hearing are part of the court file. Anyone can look up the case and see your old name and the reason for the change. Florida does not seal name change records the way some states do, so the change is not private.

What if I want to change my name back to my maiden name after a divorce?

You can do it as part of the divorce decree itself, or you can file a separate name change petition after the divorce is final. If you do it as part of the divorce, there is no extra fee. If you file separately, you pay the standard filing fee. Either way, the process is the same.

Can I use a nickname or made-up name, or does it have to be a real name?

Florida law does not define what counts as a "real" name. You can change to almost any name you want — a nickname, a name from another culture, a name you invented — as long as you are not doing it to commit fraud or evade a court order. The judge has discretion to deny a petition if the name change would harm someone or is clearly intended to deceive, but this is rare.