Unified Family Court
NAME CHANGE
For more information, see Florida Statute 68.07.
Petitions for Change of Name (individual, minor, adult, family)
Filing Fee for Petition for Change of Name: see Fees & Costs for the current filing fee.
Forms and Instructions
Forms are available from the following sources:
IT IS IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER ON EVERY DOCUMENT YOU FILE WITH THE COURT.
Electronic Fingerprinting Process
According to Chapter 68.07 of the Florida Statutes, a petitioner must have fingerprints taken electronically by an authorized agency, such as the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), prior to a court hearing on a request for a change of name. The prints are submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for a state criminal history records check and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records check. The results are submitted by the FDLE to the Clerk & Comptroller’s office. The court uses the results to review the information filed by the petitioner and to evaluate whether to grant the petition.
The records check is not required for petitions to restore a former name or for changes of name in proceedings for dissolution of marriage or adoption of children.
Please note that if the name change is for a minor, the fingerprints of the petitioner/adult must be taken and submitted, not the minor’s.
For more information, download the instructions below for having fingerprints taken and submitted, as well as a list of law enforcement agencies and service providers authorized to submit fingerprints electronically to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Electronic Fingerprinting Process For Name Change & List of Authorized Service Providers
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