State Guide • 8 min read • August 15, 2026
How to Change a Child's Name in Florida: Forms, Fees & Process (2026)
This page covers the **Florida statewide** court process for changing the name of a **minor child (under 18)**.
By the NameRight Editorial Team • Reviewed against official court sources • Last updated August 15, 2026
Understanding Florida Court Requirements
In Florida, changing a child's name is a court process. The U.S. government explains that you can change your name through marriage, divorce, or a court order - and in most cases, a court order means filing a petition with your local court, submitting paperwork, and appearing before a judge (usa.gov/name-change, retrieved Aug 15 2026). For a minor child, that process lives in the Florida circuit courts, under Florida Statutes 68.07 (Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), retrieved Aug 15 2026).
- Jurisdiction and residence. Circuit courts have jurisdiction to change the name of a person residing in Florida, on a petition filed in the county where that person resides. The petitioner must be a bona fide resident of, and domiciled in, the county where the change is sought (Form 12.982(c) instructions, flcourts.gov).
- Fingerprints and a criminal history records check. Before the hearing, the petitioner must submit fingerprints for a state and national criminal history records check - unless the request is to restore a former name. The cost is borne by the petitioner (or by the parent/guardian of a minor). The hearing cannot be scheduled until the clerk receives the records check results (Form 12.982(c); fljud13.org Minor Name Change packet, retrieved Aug 15 2026). This is a common reason the process takes weeks.
- Minor children need parent involvement. If the child's legal parents are not both named as petitioners, the non-petitioning parent must consent using the official Consent for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) form. If only one parent petitions, process must be served on the other parent and proof of service filed; if the other parent is a nonresident, constructive notice may be given under Florida Statutes chapter 49 (Form 12.982(d), escambiaclerk.com).
- Married parents can file together. A husband and wife and their minor children may join in one petition (the "Family" petition path).
- The hearing and the final judgment. Once the clerk has the records check results, the hearing can be set. If granted, the judge signs the final judgment - that order is what officially changes the name. After the final judgment is filed, the clerk reports it to the Office of Vital Statistics (for children born in Florida) or provides a certified copy of the judgment (for children born elsewhere) (Form 12.982(c)).
Step 1: Gather the right forms
The Florida Supreme Court publishes approved Family Law Forms, available free through the Florida Courts website (flcourts.gov). For a child's name change, the forms you'll typically need are:
- Petition for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) - Form 12.982(c): the main petition for a minor child's name change.
- Consent for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) - Form 12.982(d): required from the non-petitioning legal parent who consents.
- Petition for Change of Name (Family) - Form 12.982(f): used when married parents want the court to change the family's name; child supplemental forms are attached for each minor child.
- Final Judgment forms (12.982(b), 12.982(e), 12.982(g)): bring the top part filled in (circuit, county, case number, division, names) for the judge to complete at the hearing.
Step 2: What to prepare before you file
- Type or print forms in black ink, and sign before a notary public or deputy clerk (Form 12.982(c)).
- Identity and residence proof for the petitioning parent and the child.
- Fingerprints for the state and national criminal history records check (unless restoring a former name).
- The non-petitioning parent's consent (Form 12.982(d)), or proof that the other parent was served with process.
- The judicial circuit, case number, and division - you get these from the clerk's office when you file.
Step 3: Where to file
File the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the child lives, and keep a copy for your records (Form 12.982(c) instructions). Note that each county may add local cover sheets or intake forms (e.g., a Family Court cover sheet, designation of email address) - ask your clerk which extras your county requires before you file.
Step 4: Fees and costs
Costs add up across several paid steps - amounts vary by county, so confirm with your clerk:
- Filing fee (county-dependent)
- Fingerprinting and criminal history records check (Florida law makes the petitioner pay; fljud13.org packet)
- Certified copies of the final judgment (the clerk will tell you the amount)
Step 5: Timeline and the hearing
- Filing records check: the hearing cannot be set until the clerk receives the results - plan for several weeks (Form 12.982(c)).
- Hearing: both parents should attend if both signed the petition; if one parent can't attend, that parent signs Form 12.982(d) consent instead (fljud13.org Minor Name Change packet).
- Final judgment: signed by the judge at the hearing if granted.
After the court order: next steps
After the court order, update records in this order (usa.gov/name-change, retrieved Aug 15 2026):
- SSA first - other agencies learn of name changes through the Social Security Administration.
- State motor vehicle office (driver's license / ID).
- U.S. passport - report the name change to the State Department.
- IRS - every name on your tax return must match SSA records.
- Banks, schools, and other institutions - keep certified copies of the final judgment; the order is the document that unlocks every downstream update.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Why is the process so slow and expensive? A: Costs add up across filing fees, the fingerprint/records check (which Florida law makes the petitioner pay for), certified copies, and sometimes birth-certificate updates. The delay is usually the records check: the hearing can't be set until the clerk receives the results, which can take weeks. If you've hit a wrong turn, it's usually a missing form (like a parent's consent) or a local filing requirement — confirming your county's checklist with the clerk before you file is the single biggest time-saver.
Q: What if the child's other parent won't consent? A: You may not be stuck. Florida law allows one parent to petition and serve the other parent with process (with constructive notice options if the other parent is a nonresident). You may still have a hearing if the other parent was properly notified and does not appear or object (Form 12.982(d), escambiaclerk.com). Talk to your clerk — and consider consulting an attorney, because every county and every family is different.
Q: After the order, how do I update everything? A: Notify SSA first, then DMV, passport, and IRS (usa.gov). A court order stops the legal use of the old name, but it does not automatically scrub every mailing list — contact companies directly and use data-broker opt-out services for the rest.
Official Sources
- USAGov - How to change your name - https://www.usa.gov/name-change - retrieved 2026-08-15
- Florida Courts - Court Services - https://www.flcourts.gov/Resources-Services/Court-Services - retrieved 2026-08-15
- Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) - https://www.flcourts.gov/content/download/685997/file_pdf/982c.pdf - retrieved 2026-08-15
- Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(d), Consent for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) - https://www.escambiaclerk.com/DocumentCenter/View/4550/09_Consent_for_Change_of_Name_Children12982d - retrieved 2026-08-15
- 13th Judicial Circuit - Minor Name Change packet - https://www.fljud13.org/Portals/0/Forms/pdfs/family/packet30.pdf - retrieved 2026-08-15
- The Florida Bar - Amendments to family law forms (12.982 series) - https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/amendments-to-family-law-forms - retrieved 2026-08-15
- Florida Statutes 68.07 (Change of name) - via escambiaclerk.com Form 12.982(d) instructions - retrieved 2026-08-15
Legal Disclaimer
Not legal advice. This article is informational and based only on the official sources listed above. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and local procedures change, and requirements vary by county. Confirm current rules and forms with your Florida clerk of circuit court and, where appropriate, an attorney before filing.
This guide is general information based on CHANGE statewide procedures as of 2026, not legal advice, and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. County rules, fees, and procedures vary — for your specific situation, consult the court self-help center or a licensed attorney.
Ready to plan your next step? Use the name change cost calculator for a state-specific estimate, or check if you qualify for a fee waiver in 60 seconds.
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