Minor Child Name Change in Florida

Overview — Changing a Child’s Name in Florida

A parent or legal guardian can petition the Florida circuit court to change a minor child’s name. Unlike an adult name change, a minor child cannot file for themselves — the petition must be filed by a parent or guardian. The key legal standard is the best interest of the child, and the process differs significantly depending on whether both parents agree.

When This Petition Is Used

A standalone petition for name change of a minor is used when you want to change your child’s name outside of another pending court case. You do not need this petition if:

• You are finalizing an adoption — the name change is handled within the adoption proceeding
• You have a pending dissolution of marriage that involves the child — you can request the name change within that case
• A paternity action is pending — name change can be addressed in that proceeding

Florida Supreme Court Approved Forms

Official Forms for a Minor Child Name Change — Free from Florida Courts

All minor child name change forms are Florida Supreme Court approved and available free from the Florida Courts website. The correct forms depend on whether both parents agree and whether you are changing the name of one child or multiple children.

Parent Agreement — Two Different Processes

Both Parents Agree vs. One Parent Filing Without Consent

The most important variable in a minor child name change is whether both parents are in agreement. The process — and the likelihood of success — is fundamentally different depending on the answer.

What If One Parent’s Rights Were Terminated?

If the other parent’s parental rights have been legally terminated by a court, that parent’s consent is not required and they have no standing to contest the name change. A copy of the court order terminating parental rights should be attached to your petition.

What If the Other Parent Is Unknown or Cannot Be Located?

If you genuinely do not know where the other legal parent lives, you may be able to use constructive service — publication in a local newspaper. However, Florida’s constructive service rules are specific and technically demanding. A name change obtained through defective constructive service can be challenged later. If this applies to your situation, consider consulting a Florida family law attorney.

Step-by-Step Process

Filing a Florida Minor Child Name Change — Step by Step

The minor child name change process mirrors the adult process in most respects, with two important differences: the petitioner’s (parent’s) fingerprints are required rather than the child’s, and both parents are typically involved either as co-petitioners or through the notice and service process.

• 1

  Complete the Petition for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) — Form 12.982(c)

  Download Form 12.982(c) free from the Florida Courts website. The petition covers one child — complete a Supplemental Form for each additional child. The petition must include: the child’s current legal name and birth date, the new requested name, the reason for the change, and information about both parents including their addresses and relationship to the child. Type or print in black ink.

  💡 If you are changing the name of more than one child, you will need a Supplemental Form for each additional child — all attached to the same petition. Initial the bottom of each supplemental form page.
• 2

  Obtain the other parent’s consent — or prepare for service

  If both parents agree: Have the other parent complete and notarize Form 12.982(d), Consent for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)). This form can be filed with the petition or submitted separately. Both parents can also file as co-petitioners on Form 12.982(c) if they live in the same county.

  If only one parent is filing: You will need to serve the other parent with the petition and notice of hearing after you file. Do not skip this step — failure to properly serve the other parent will invalidate the proceeding.

• 3

  Sign before a notary public or deputy clerk

  The petitioning parent(s) must sign the petition before a notary public or deputy clerk. If both parents are filing as co-petitioners, both must sign before a notary or clerk. Do not sign in advance.

• 4

  Get the petitioning parent’s fingerprints submitted to FDLE

  The adult petitioner’s fingerprints (not the child’s) must be submitted to FDLE for a state and national criminal history records check — the same requirement as for adult name changes. You cannot schedule a hearing until the clerk receives the results.

  ⏱ Allow 2–6 weeks for FDLE results. This applies even when both parents agree and the outcome is not in doubt. Fingerprinting fee: typically $75–$100
• 5

  File the petition with the circuit court clerk in your county

  File the original petition, the consent form if obtained, and any required supplemental forms with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where you live. You may file in person or electronically via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

  Filing fee: approximately $400–$415 · Indigency waiver available
• 6

  Serve the other parent (if they are not a co-petitioner)

  If only one parent is filing, the other parent must be served with the petition and a summons after the case is opened. Personal service by the Sheriff or a registered process server is required if you know where the other parent lives. The other parent then has 20 days to respond.

• 7

  Schedule and attend the hearing

  Once the FDLE results are received by the clerk, schedule your hearing. Bring Form 12.982(e) — Final Judgment of Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) — completed through the header. If the petition is uncontested and both parents agree, the hearing is typically brief and the judge will grant the petition based on the best interest of the child.

  💡 If the child is old enough to express a preference, some judges will ask the child — or ask you about the child’s preference. Being prepared to address the child’s perspective strengthens your petition.
• 8

  Obtain certified copies and update the child’s records

  When the judge signs the Final Judgment, obtain certified copies from the clerk. Get at least four to six copies for: the school district, pediatrician’s office, Social Security Administration, passport application, and financial accounts held in the child’s name.

The Legal Standard

What “Best Interest of the Child” Means in a Name Change Case

Florida courts do not automatically grant a name change simply because a parent wants it. The judge must find that the change serves the child’s best interests — a standard that considers the child’s relationship with both parents, the child’s own preference, and the practical impact of the name change.

Factors Florida Courts Consider

When Courts Are Likely to Grant the Petition

• Both parents agree and the child (if old enough) supports the change
• The non-custodial parent has been absent or uninvolved for a substantial period
• The child uses a different surname in daily life and the legal name causes administrative confusion
• The name change unifies the child’s surname with the custodial parent and stepparent family after remarriage
• The child is old enough to clearly express a preference for the change

After the Child’s Name Is Changed

Updating Records After a Florida Minor Child Name Change

Once the Final Judgment is signed, begin updating your child’s records. Unlike adult name changes, the child’s school and healthcare records are often the most immediately practical priorities.

• Social Security Administration

  Update the child’s Social Security record with a certified court order and proof of the child’s identity. Visit ssa.gov or your local SSA office. The replacement card is free.

• School District and School Records

  Contact your county school district with a certified copy of the court order. All school enrollment records, transcripts, and student identification will be updated. If the child attends private school, contact the school’s administration office directly.

• Florida Birth Certificate (Optional but Recommended)

  You can request an amended birth certificate from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Submit a certified copy of the name change order and Form DH 727. Fee: approximately $10–$15 per certified copy. Visit floridahealth.gov.

• U.S. Passport

  If the child has a passport, it must be updated. Children under 16 cannot renew by mail — both parents must appear in person. Visit travel.state.gov for minor passport procedures.

• Healthcare and Insurance Records

  Notify your child’s pediatrician, specialists, dentist, and vision care providers. Update the child’s name on health insurance policies — contact your employer’s HR department or your insurance provider directly.

• Financial Accounts

  If the child has savings accounts, 529 college savings plans, or UTMA/UGMA accounts, contact each institution with a certified court order to update the account name.