Florida Legal Name Change: Cost & Process
Researched by the LawLintel Data Team · Sources verified 2026-08-24
- Filing fee
- ≈$401e.g., Palm Beach County $401
- Publication
- Not required
- Fingerprints
- Required (electronic, FDLE/FBI)exempt when restoring a former name
- Court
- Circuit Court
Florida adult name changes are chancery cases in the circuit court, with filing fees around $401. There is no newspaper publication, but petitioners must submit electronic fingerprints to FDLE for state and FBI criminal-history checks before the final hearing — unless they're simply restoring a former name.
The petition is Supreme Court–approved Family Law Form 12.982(a), and the process typically wraps in one short final hearing once the criminal-history results reach the judge.
Costs & fees
| Item | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Petition filing fee | ≈$401 | Official fee |
| FDLE processing + fingerprinting | ≈$36 + vendor fee | Official fee |
| Certified copies | a few dollars each | Official fee |
Requirements
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Fingerprints | Electronic submission to FDLE (state + FBI check) before hearing; former-name restorations exempt |
| Residency | File in your county of residence |
| Hearing | Final hearing required; immediate for former-name restoration |
| Fee waiver | Civil indigent status application |
The process, step by step
- File Form 12.982(a). Petition for Change of Name (Adult) with the circuit clerk; pay ≈$401 or apply for indigent status.
- Fingerprints. Electronic prints through an FDLE-approved vendor; results go to the court.
- Final hearing. Short hearing after results arrive; the judge signs the Final Judgment (12.982(b)).
- Update records. SSA, then FLHSMV driver license within 30 days, passport, banks.
Forms & where to file
Circuit Court of your county of residence (file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Florida name change cost?
About $401 in filing fees (Palm Beach County's published fee; other counties are within a few dollars), plus roughly $50 for fingerprinting and FDLE processing.
Is publication required in Florida?
No — Fla. Stat. § 68.07 has no newspaper publication requirement for adult name changes.
Who is exempt from fingerprints?
Petitioners restoring a former legal name (for example, a maiden name after divorce) skip the criminal-history check and can get an immediate hearing.
Related information
Sources & verification
- Palm Beach County Clerk — family court fees
- Fla. Stat. § 68.07 — change of name
- Florida Courts — Form 12.982(a) & instructions
Official fees and statutory rules above are traceable to the listed authorities; figures marked as estimates are LawLintel editorial estimates, not government fees. Laws and fees change — last verified 2026-08-24. See our methodology and legal disclaimer.
LawLintel provides general legal information, not legal advice. Laws, rules, procedures and fees change and can depend on your specific facts and county. Verify important information with the applicable court or a qualified attorney before acting.