Florida requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check for every adult name change, run through the same state agency that handles other criminal justice records. For the general national process, see our main guide on how to legally change your name. Here is exactly how Florida’s process works, including one detail that sources genuinely disagree on.
Florida Name Change Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Governing law | Florida Statutes, Chapter 68.07 |
| Court | Circuit Court in the county where you live |
| Residency requirement | Florida resident for at least 6 months |
| Filing fee | Roughly $400 to $425 |
| Background check required? | Yes, a fingerprint-based check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement |
| Background check cost | Roughly $36 to $45 for FDLE processing, plus $10 to $75 for fingerprinting |
| Newspaper publication required? | Sources disagree; verify with your county clerk |
The Mandatory Background Check
Under Florida Statutes Chapter 68.07, anyone petitioning for an adult name change must have fingerprints taken electronically by an authorized agency before the court will hold a final hearing. Those fingerprints go to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which runs a criminal history background check and sends the results to the court. This is a mandatory step, not something available only in certain counties or waivable by request.
The cost has two separate parts. The actual fingerprinting appointment, done through an approved Livescan vendor or law enforcement agency, typically runs somewhere between $10 and $75 depending on the provider, county sheriff’s offices are often on the lower end of that range, while private providers can charge more. Separately, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement itself charges a processing fee, commonly cited around $36, for running the actual background check. Budget for both pieces separately when planning your total cost.
Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from changing your name in Florida, but the judge reviews the background check results as part of deciding whether to grant your petition, and the outcome can matter more in cases involving more serious or relevant criminal history.
Newspaper Publication: A Genuine Point of Disagreement
Here is something worth being direct about rather than papering over: reliable-seeming sources genuinely disagree on whether Florida requires newspaper publication for an adult name change. Some describe Florida the same way they describe Texas, no publication required, calling it out specifically as a privacy advantage. Others describe publication as a standard part of the Florida process, generally required once a week for four consecutive weeks unless a judge waives it for documented safety reasons, such as domestic violence concerns.
Rather than picking a side without solid footing, the honest answer is that this appears to vary, whether by county practice, by the specific nature of your petition, or simply because requirements have shifted over time and not every source has caught up. Before you budget your total cost or timeline, ask your county’s circuit court clerk directly whether publication applies to your specific petition. It is a five-minute phone call that avoids a real risk of miscalculating your total cost or being caught off guard by an unexpected requirement partway through the process.
What It Actually Costs
The state filing fee is commonly cited around $401, though it can range roughly $400 to $425 depending on the county and is subject to change. Add the fingerprinting and FDLE background check costs described above, roughly $46 to $120 combined depending on your provider, and if publication does apply to your situation, a further $40 to $150 for the newspaper notice. Altogether, most people should expect a total somewhere between $450 and $600, occasionally more. Our general guide on how name change costs typically break down covers the equivalent cost categories most states share.
Step by Step
1. Confirm you meet Florida’s residency requirement, generally at least 6 months living in the state.
2. Complete the Petition for Change of Name (Adult) and file it with the circuit court clerk in your county of residence.
3. Schedule and complete fingerprinting through an approved Livescan vendor or your local sheriff’s office.
4. Wait for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to process your background check and send results to the court, typically a couple of weeks.
5. Ask your county clerk directly whether newspaper publication applies to your petition, and if so, complete that step before your hearing.
6. Attend your scheduled hearing. In most straightforward cases, the judge signs the final order the same day.
7. Purchase at least two to three certified copies of your name change order to update your Social Security record, driver’s license, passport, and other accounts.
Changing Your Name Through Marriage
If you are changing your last name specifically because of marriage, you generally do not need to file a separate court petition at all. Your marriage certificate itself serves as the legal basis for the name change, and you can present it directly to the Social Security Administration and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to update your records. This court process is specifically for name changes outside of marriage or divorce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida require a background check for a name change?
Yes. Florida Statutes Chapter 68.07 requires a fingerprint-based criminal history background check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for every adult petitioner, with results sent to the court before the final hearing.
Does Florida require newspaper publication for a name change?
Sources genuinely disagree on this point, some describe it as required, others as not required. Confirm directly with your county’s circuit court clerk before assuming either way.
How much does a Florida name change cost?
The filing fee is commonly around $401, plus roughly $46 to $120 for fingerprinting and the background check. If publication applies to your case, add another $40 to $150. Most people should expect a total somewhere between $450 and $600.
Do I need a court order to change my name after marriage in Florida?
No. Your marriage certificate itself is sufficient to change your last name with Social Security and the DMV. The court petition process described here is for name changes outside of marriage or divorce.
How long does a Florida name change take?
Typically 4 to 8 weeks from filing to a final order, depending largely on how quickly the background check processes and how the court schedules your hearing.
Bottom Line
A Florida name change centers on a mandatory fingerprint background check through FDLE, adding real cost and a couple of weeks to the timeline. The newspaper publication question is genuinely unsettled across sources, so confirm it directly with your county clerk rather than assuming. For the broader national picture, see our guide on how to legally change your name.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Florida name change law and fees can change; confirm current requirements with your county circuit court before filing.
