INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW
FORM 12.982(f)
PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (FAMILY)
(02/18)
When should this form be used?
This form should be used when the parents are married and the family wants the court to change its
name. This form is not to be used in connection with a dissolution of marriage, paternity, or adoption
action. If you want a change of name because of a dissolution of marriage, paternity, or adoption action
that is not yet final, the change of name should be requested as part of that case.
This form should be typed or printed in black ink and must be signed before a notary public or deputy
clerk. You should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where you live and keep
a copy for your records. The petition should only be completed for one adult. If you wish to change the
name(s) of another adult and/or any child(ren), you should complete and file with the clerk of court the
attached Adult and Child Supplemental Form(s) for Petition for Change of Name (Family) for each
additional family member. Be sure that the bottom of each page of each supplemental form is initialed.
What should I do next?
Unless you are seeking to restore a former name, each adult petitioner must have fingerprints
submitted for a state and national criminal history records check. The fingerprints must be taken in a
manner approved by the Department of Law Enforcement and must be submitted to the Department for
a state and national criminal history records check. You may not request a hearing on the petition until
the clerk of court has received the results of your criminal history records check. The clerk of court can
instruct you on the process for having the fingerprints taken and submitted, including information on law
enforcement agencies or service providers authorized to submit finger prints electronically to the
Department of Law Enforcement. The process may take several weeks and you will have to pay for the
cost of processing the fingerprints and conducting the state and national criminal history records check.
Please note that the state and national criminal records check must indicate whether you have
registered as either a sexual predator or a sexual offender and you must also indicate on this petition
whether you have ever been required to register as a sexual predator under section 775.21, Florida
Statutes, or as a sexual offender under section 943.0435, Florida Statutes.
If any of the children for whom you are requesting this change of name are not the legal children of both
adults filing this petition, you must obtain the consent of the legal parent(s). A parent not named as a
petitioner in this action may consent by submitting a Consent for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)),
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(d).
If the other parent does not consent to the change of name, you may still have a hearing on the petition
if you have properly notified the other parent about your petition and the hearing. If you know where he
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Petition for Change of Name (Family)
(02/18)
or she lives, you must use personal service. If you absolutely do not know where he or she lives, you may
use constructive service. For more information about personal and constructive service, you should refer
to the “General Instructions for Self-Represented Litigants” found at the beginning of these forms and
the instructions to Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Forms 12.910(a) and 12.913(b) and Florida
Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.913(a). The law on constructive service is very complex
and you may wish to consult an attorney regarding constructive service.
Next, you must obtain a final hearing date for the court to consider your request. If you are seeking to
restore a former name, the final hearing on the petition MAY be held immediately after the petition is
filed. The final hearing on any other petition for a name change may be held immediately after the clerk
of court receives the results of your criminal history records check. You should ask the clerk of court,
family law intake staff, or judicial assistant about the local procedure for setting a hearing. You may be
required to attend the hearing. Included in these forms is a Final Judgment of Change of Name (Family),
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(g), which may be used when a judge grants a
change of name for a family. If you attend the hearing, you should take the final judgment form with you.
You should complete the top part of this form, including the circuit, county, case number, division, the
name(s) of the petitioner(s) and leave the rest blank for the judge to complete. It should be typed or
printed in black ink.
If the judge grants your petition, he or she will sign this order; This officially changes your family’s name;
The clerk can provide you with certified copies of the signed order. There will be charges for the certified
copies, and the clerk can tell you the amount of the charges.
Where can I look for more information?
Before proceeding, you should read “General Information for Self-Represented Litigants” found at the
beginning of these forms. For further information, see section 68.07, Florida Statutes.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-FILING
The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration now require that all petitions, pleadings, and documents be
filed electronically except in certain circumstances. Self-represented litigants may file petitions or other
pleadings or documents electronically; however, they are not required to do so. If you choose to file
your pleadings or other documents electronically, you must do so in accordance with Florida Rule of
Judicial Administration 2.525, and you must follow the procedures of the judicial circuit in which you file.
The rules and procedures should be carefully read and followed.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-SERVICE ELECTION
After the initial service of process of the petition or supplemental petition by the Sheriff or certified
process server, the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration now require that all documents required or
permitted to be served on the other party must be served by electronic mail (e-mail) except in certain
circumstances. You must strictly comply with the format requirements set forth in the Rules of Judicial
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Petition for Change of Name (Family)
(02/18)
Administration. If you elect to participate in electronic service, which means serving or receiving pleadings
by electronic mail (e-mail), or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, you must review Florida Rule of
Judicial Administration 2.516. You may find this rule at www.flcourts.org through the link to the Rules of
Judicial Administration provided under either Family Law Forms: Getting Started, or Rules of Court in the
A-Z Topical Index.
SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS MAY SERVE DOCUMENTS BY E-MAIL; HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT
REQUIRED TO DO SO. If a self-represented litigant elects to serve and receive documents by e-mail, the
procedures must always be followed once the initial election is made.
To serve and receive documents by e-mail, you must designate your e-mail addresses by using the
Designation of Current Mailing and E-mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form
12.915, and you must provide your e-mail address on each form on which your signature appears. Please
CAREFULLY read the rules and instructions for: Certificate of Service (General), Florida Supreme Court
Approved Family Law Form 12.914; Designation of Current Mailing and E-mail Address, Florida Supreme
Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915; and Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516.
Special notes...
The heading of the form calls for the name(s) of the petitioner(s). This is (are) the parent(s) who is/are
requesting the change of their family’s name(s); The judicial circuit, case number, and division may be
obtained from the clerk of court’s office when you file the petition.
It may be helpful to compile a list of all of the people and places that will need a copy of the final judgment.
This list may include the driver’s license office, social security office, banks, schools, etc; ! list will help
you know how many copies of your order you should get from the clerk of court after your hearing.
Remember, a person who is NOT an attorney is called a nonlawyer. If a nonlawyer helps you fill out these
forms, that person must give you a copy of a Disclosure from Nonlawyer, Florida Family Law Rules of
Procedure Form 12.900(a), before he or she helps you. A nonlawyer helping you fill out these forms also
must put his or her name, address, and telephone number on the bottom of the last page of every form
he or she helps you complete.
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Petition for Change of Name (Family)
(02/18)
________________________________________
________________________________________
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,
IN AND FOR COUNTY, FLORIDA
Case No.:
Division:
IN RE: THE NAME CHANGE OF
Petitioner,
Petitioner.
PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (FAMILY)
I/We, {full legal name(s)} ____________________________________________________, being sworn,
certify that the following information is true:
There are {enter number} __ adults named in this petition. A supplemental form is attached for each
adult not set out below.
There are {enter number} __ children named in this petition. I am/We are the birth or legal parents
or guardian of the minor child(ren) named in this petition. I/We have attached a completed
supplemental form for each minor child.
Unless I am/We are seeking to restore a former name, a copy of the fingerprints of each adult person
seeking a name change in this petition has/have been taken in a manner approved by the Department of
Law Enforcement, and submitted for a state and national criminal history records check. I/We understand
that I/we cannot request a hearing on my/our Petition until the clerk of court receives the results of
the criminal history records check. I/We also understand that the state and national records check must
indicate whether I/We have registered as either a sexual predator or sexual offender.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT PETITIONER ________________________________:
_____PARENT _____GUARDIAN
_____ A Supplemental Form has been attached for the other parent or petitioner.
1. My complete present name is:
.
I request that my name be changed to:
.
2. I live in ________________ County, Florida, at {street address}
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family)
(02/18)
.
3. I was born on {date}
{state} , {country}
, in {city} , {county} ,
.
4. My parents’ full legal names are:
a. {full legal name}____________________________________and
b. {full legal name} ________________________________
c. {If applicable} My parents’ maiden name(s) is/are: ______________________
and _______________________________________________.
5. I have lived in the following places since birth:
Dates (to/from) Address
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
(____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
6. Family
[Indicate all that apply]
_____ I am not married.
_____ I am married; My spouse’s full legal name is: .
_____ I do not have child(ren).
_____The name(s), age(s), and address(es) of my child(ren) are as follows (all children, including
those over 18, must be listed):
Name {last, first, middle initial} Age Address, City, State
(____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family)
(02/18)
7. Former Names
[Indicate all that apply]
____My name has never been changed by a court.
____My name previously was changed by court order from
to on {date} ,
by {court, city, and state} .
A copy of the court order is attached.
_____My name previously was changed by marriage from
to on {date} ,
in {city, county, and state} .
A copy of the marriage certificate is attached.
_____I have never been known or called by any other name.
_____I have been known or called by the following other name(s): {list name(s) and explain where
you were known or called by such name(s)}
.
8. Occupation
My occupation is: .
I am employed at: {company and address}
.
During the past 5 years, I have had the following jobs:
Dates (to/from) Employer and employer’s address
/
/
/
/
/
/
(____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
9. Business
[Choose one only]
____I do not own and operate a business.
____I own and operate a business. The name of the business is:
The street address is:
.
.
My position with the business is: .
I have been involved with the business since: {date} .
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family)
(02/18)
___________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
10. Profession
[Choose one only]
____I am not in a profession.
____I am in a profession. My profession is: .
I have practiced this profession:
Dates (to/from) Place and address
(____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
11. Education
I have graduated from the following school(s):
Degree Date of
Received Graduation School
(____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.).
12. Criminal History
[Indicate all that apply]
_____ I have never been arrested for or charged with, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or have
been found to have committed a criminal offense, regardless of adjudication.
_____ I have a criminal history. In the past I have been arrested for or charged with, pled guilty
or nolo contendere to, or been found to have committed a criminal offense, regardless of
adjudication. The details of my criminal history are:
Date City/State Event (arrest, charge, plea, or adjudication)
(_____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
I _____ have ____have not ever been required to register as a sexual predator under section
775.21, Florida Statutes.
I _____ have ______have not ever been required to register as a sexual offender under section
943.0435, Florida Statutes.
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family)
(02/18)
____
____
____
____
13. Bankruptcy
[Choose one only]
____I have never been adjudicated bankrupt.
____I was adjudicated bankrupt on {date} , in {city} ,
{county} , {state} .
(____ Please indicate here if you have had additional bankruptcies, and explain on an attached
page.)
14. Creditor’s Judgments
[Choose one only]
____I have never had a money judgment entered against me by a creditor.
____The following creditor(s)’ money judgment(s) have been entered against me:
Date Amount Creditor Court entering judgment and case number {date} if Paid
(____ Please indicate here if these facts are continued on an attached page.)
15. Fingerprints and Criminal History Records Check
Unless I am seeking to restore a former name, a copy of my fingerprints has been taken in a
manner approved by the Department of Law Enforcement and submitted for a state and national
criminal history records check. I understand that I cannot request a hearing on my Petition until
the Clerk of Court receives the results of the criminal history records check.
16. I have no ulterior or illegal purpose for filing this petition, and granting it will not in any manner
invade the property rights of others, whether partnership, patent, goodwill, privacy, trademark,
or otherwise.
17. My civil rights have never been suspended, or, if my civil rights have been suspended, they
have been fully restored.
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family)
(02/18)
_____________________________________________
I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims made in this
petition and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or
imprisonment.
Dated:
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF
Sworn to or affirmed and signed before me on
Signature of Petitioner
Printed Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
Designated E-Mail Address(es):____________________
by .
NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK
[Print, type, or stamp commissioned name of notary or
clerk.]
_____ Personally known
_____ Produced identification
Type of identification produced
IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW:
[fill in all blanks] This form was prepared for the Petitioner(s).
This form was completed with the assistance of:
{name of individual} __________________________________________________________________,
{name of business}_____________________________________________________________________,
{address} _______________________________________________________________,
{city} ________________,{state} , {zip code}_________, {telephone number} .
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family)
(02/18)
ADULT SUPPLEMENTAL FORM FOR PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (FAMILY) Case No.: ___________
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT PETITIONER______________________________:
_____ PARENT _____ GUARDIAN
1. My complete present name is:
.
I request that my name be changed to:
.
2. I live in County, Florida, at {street address}
.
3. I was born on {date} , in {city} , {county} ,
{state} , {country} .
4. My parents’ full legal names are:
a. {full legal name} _________________________________ and.
b. {full legal name} .
c. {If applicable} My parents’ maiden name(s) is/are: _____________________ and
_________________________________________.
5. I have lived in the following places since birth:
Dates (to/from) Address
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
(____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
6. Family
[Indicate all that apply]
_____ I am not married.
_____I am married; My spouse’s full legal name is: .
_____ I do not have child(ren).
_____The name(s), age(s), and address(es) of my child(ren) are as follows (all children, including
those over 18, must be listed):
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name
(Family) (02/18)
Name {last, first, middle initial} Age Address, City, State
(____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
7. Former Names
[Indicate all that apply]
____My name has never been changed by a court.
____My name previously was changed by court order from______________________________
to on {date}
by {court, city, and state} .
A copy of the court order is attached.
____My name previously was changed by marriage from _______________________________
to on {date}
in {city, county, and state} .
A copy of the marriage certificate is attached.
____I have never been known or called by any other name.
____I have been known or called by the following other name(s): {list name(s) and explain where
you were known or called by such name(s)} _____________________________________
8. Occupation
My occupation is: .
I am employed at: {company and address}
.
During the past 5 years, I have had the following jobs:
Dates (to/from) Employer and employer’s address
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
(____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
9. Business
[Indicate all that apply]
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name
(Family) (02/18)
PETITIONER # , continued
____I do not own and operate a business.
____I own and operate a business. The name of the business is:
The street address is:
My position with the business is:
I have been involved with the business since: {date}
.
.
.
.
10. Profession
[Indicate all that apply]
____I am not in a profession.
____I am in a profession. My profession is:
I have practiced this profession:
Dates (to/from) Place and address
/
/
/
/
/
(___ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
.
11. Education
I have graduated from the following school(s):
Degree Date of
Received Graduation School
(___ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
12. Criminal History
[Indicate all that apply]
____I have never been arrested for or charged with, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been
found to have committed a criminal offense, regardless of adjudication.
____I have a criminal history. In the past I have been arrested for or charged with, pled guilty or
nolo contendere to, or been found to have committed a criminal offense, regardless of
adjudication. The details of my criminal history are:
Date City/State Event (arrest, charge, plea, or adjudication)
(_____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
I _____ have ____have not ever been required to register as a sexual predator under section
775.21, Florida Statutes.
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name
(Family) (02/18)
___
___
___
I _____ have ______have not ever been required to register as a sexual offender under section
943.0435, Florida Statutes.
13. Bankruptcy
[Choose one only]
____I have never been adjudicated bankrupt.
____I was adjudicated bankrupt on {date} , in {city} ,
{county} , {state} .
(___ Please indicate here if you have had additional bankruptcies, and explain on an attached
page.)
14. Creditor’s Judgments
[Choose one only]
____I have never had a money judgment entered against me by a creditor.
____The following creditor(s)’ money judgment(s) have been entered against me:
Date Amount Creditor Court entering judgment and case number {date} if
Paid
___
(____ Please indicate here if these facts are continued on an attached page.)
15. Unless I am seeking to restore a former name, a copy of my fingerprints has been taken in a
manner approved by the Department of Law Enforcement and submitted for a state and national
criminal history records check. I understand that I cannot request a hearing on my Petition until
the Clerk of Court receives the results of the criminal history records check.
16. I have no ulterior or illegal purpose for filing this petition, and granting it will not in any manner
invade the property rights of others, whether partnership, patent, good will, privacy, trademark,
or otherwise.
17. My civil rights have never been suspended, or, if my civil rights have been suspended, they have
been fully restored.
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name
(Family) (02/18)
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims made in this
petition and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or
imprisonment.
Dated: ________________________
Signature of Petitioner
Printed Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
Designated E-Mail Address(es):____________________
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF
Sworn to or affirmed and signed before me on by
NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK
[Print, type, or stamp commissioned name of notary or
clerk.]
Personally known
Produced identification
Type of identification produced
IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW:
[fill in all blanks] This form was prepared for the Petitioner(s).
This form was completed with the assistance of:
{name of individual} _________________________________________________________________,
{name of business}_____________________________________________________________________,
{address} _______________________________________________________________,
{city} ____________________,{state} ____, {zip code}______, {telephone number} .
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name
(Family) (02/18)
_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
CHILD SUPPLEMENTAL FORM FOR PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (FAMILY)
Case No.:
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT MINOR CHILD # :
1. The minor child’s complete present name is:
I/We request that minor child’s name be changed to:
2. The minor child lives in County, Florida, at {street address}
.
3. The minor child was born on , in {city, county, state, country}
.
4. The minor child’s parents’ full legal names are:
a. _______________________________________________________ and.
b. _______________________________________________________.
c. {If applicable} The minor child’s parents’ maiden name(s) is/are:_________
_______________and _____________________________.
5. The minor child has lived in the following places since birth:
Dates (to/from) Address
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
(____ Please indicate here if continuing these facts on an attached page.)
6. [Choose one only]
_____The minor child is not married
_____The minor child is married to: {full legal name} .
[Choose one only]
____The minor child has no children.
____The minor child is the parent of the following child(ren):
Name {last, first, middle initial} Date of Birth
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change
of Name (Family) (02/18)
__________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
(______Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
7. Former Names
[Indicate all that apply]
_____The minor child’s name has never been changed by court order.
_____The minor child’s name previously was changed by court order from __________
to on {date} __________________
{court, city, and state} .
A copy of the court order is attached.
____The minor child’s name previously was changed by marriage from ______________
to on {date} __________,
in {city, county, and state} .
A copy of the marriage certificate is attached.
____The minor child has never been known or called by any other name.
____The minor child has been known or called by the following other name(s): {list
name(s) and explain where child was known or called by such name(s)} _________
____________________________________________________________________.
8. The minor child is not employed in an occupation or profession, does not own and
operate a business, and has received no educational degrees. If the minor child has a job,
explain: _________________________________________________________________
9. Criminal History
[Indicate all that apply]
____The minor child has never been arrested for or charged with, pled guilty or nolo
contendere to, or been found to have committed a criminal offense, regardless of
adjudication.
____The minor child has a criminal history. In the past, the minor child was arrested for
or charged with, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found to have committed
a criminal offense, regardless of adjudication. The details of the criminal history are:
Date City/State Event (arrest, charge, plea, or adjudication)
(_____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
_____ The minor child _____ has _____has not ever been required to register as a sexual
predator under section 775.21, Florida Statutes.
_____ The minor child _____has _____has not ever been required to register as a sexual
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change
of Name (Family) (02/18)
____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
offender under section 943.0435, Florida Statutes.
10. Money Judgments
[Choose one only]
____The minor child has never been adjudicated bankrupt, and no money judgment has
ever been entered against him or her.
____The following money judgment(s) has been entered against him or her:
Date Amount Creditor Court entering judgment and case number {date} if Paid
(_____ Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.)
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change
of Name (Family) (02/18)