How to Legally Change Your Name in Florida
Filing fee, court, publication rules, official forms, and a free calculator that builds your exact steps. Last verified July 16, 2026.
An adult name change in Florida is filed in the Circuit Court and costs about $400–$414 (typical $401, varies by county). In Florida, no newspaper publication is required, and most cases finish in 4–8 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.
Florida Name-Change Calculator
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
Florida name change at a glance
Every figure is verified against Florida Circuit Court and .gov sources.
| Situation | Court | Filing fee | Publication | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | No court needed | $0 | — | Depends on ID updates |
| Divorce | Circuit Court (restored inside the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage) | $0 | Not required | 1–4 weeks |
| Adult petition | Circuit Court | $400–$414 | Not required | 4–8 weeks |
| Minor child | Circuit Court | $400–$414 | Not required | 4–8 weeks |
| Gender identity | Circuit Court | $400–$414 | Not required | 4–8 weeks |
Choose your situation
Take your spouse's name or hyphenate — usually no court petition needed.
No court petition
Restore your former or maiden name through the divorce decree or a short filing.
$0 · Circuit Court (restored inside the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage)
Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.
$400–$414 · Circuit Court
Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.
$400–$414 · Circuit Court
Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.
$400–$414 · Circuit Court
The Florida name-change process
Most legal name changes in Florida that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Circuit Court. You file where you live — Circuit Court in the county where you live. The filing fee is $400–$414 (typical $401, varies by county), so confirm the exact amount with your county clerk before you file.
You do not have to publish a notice in a newspaper. Florida also runs a fingerprint or background check on adult petitioners. From filing to a signed order usually takes 4–8 weeks.
Once the judge signs your order, order several certified copies right away — you'll hand one to Social Security, the DMV, and the passport agency, in that order.
After your order: who to notify
The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your Florida driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.
Florida name change: FAQ
How much does a name change cost in Florida?
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Florida?
How long does a name change take in Florida?
Which court handles name changes in Florida?
What do I do after my name change is approved in Florida?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.flcourts.gov/Resources-Services/Office-of-Family-Courts/Family-Court-in-Florida/Family-Law-Forms/12.982-Forms-A-G
- www.flhsmv.gov/name-and-address-changes
- www.flcourts.gov/Services/Family-Courts/domestic-relations-court-resources/family-law-forms/Dissolution-Final-Judgments-12.990-Forms-A-C2
- www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0068/Sections/0068.07.html
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.