Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Florida: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Florida Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
A name change to match gender identity in Florida is filed in the Circuit Court, costs about $400–$414 (typical $401, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 4–8 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.
Your personalized plan
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
What it costs
Florida has no separate gender-identity name-change process — a transgender person uses the standard adult petition (Form 12.982(a)) at the same fee
Circuit Court in the county where you live
Step by step
- 1
Change your legal name through the standard adult petition (Form 12.982(a)) in Circuit Court — Florida has no separate gender-identity name-change track, and the same fingerprint/background-check and no-publication rules apply.
- 2
Complete the FDLE/FBI fingerprint background check and file the petition with the Circuit Court clerk.
- 3
Obtain the signed Form 12.982(b) final judgment and order certified copies.
- 4
Use the judgment to update Social Security and other records that will still accept a name change.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • Florida has no distinct gender-marker name-change petition and no gender-specific publication waiver — the standard adult petition is used.
- • Under a January 2024 FLHSMV policy memo, Florida no longer amends the sex/gender marker on a driver license or ID; a court name change still updates the NAME on your license. This is an agency policy, not a statute — confirm current status with your county court clerk.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Florida license, then your passport and accounts.
Gender identity name change in nearby states
Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Florida: FAQ
How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Florida?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Florida?
Is a gender-identity name change private in Florida?
How long does it take in Florida?
What do I do after the judge signs my order 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
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.