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)