INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT
APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.982(c)
PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (MINOR CHILD(REN))
(02/18)
When should this form be used?
This form should be used when parents want the court to change the name of
their minor child(ren). For the purposes of this proceeding, a person under
the age of 18 is a minor. This form is not to be used in connection with an
adoption, dissolution of marriage, or paternity action . If you want a change
of name for your child(ren) because of an adoption or paternity action that is
not yet fnal, 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 fle 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 by one Petitioner for one child. If you
wish to change the name of more than one child or if there is more than one
Petitioner, you should complete and fle a Supplemental Form for Petition for
Change of Name (Minor Child) for each child and/or a Supplemental Form for
Petition for Change of Name. The supplemental form(s) is an attachment to
the petition. Be sure that the bottom of each page of each
supplemental form is initialed by the petitioner(s) .
What should I do next?
Unless you are seeking to restore a former name, each adult
petitioner(s)’s fngerprints must be submitted for a state and
national criminal history records check. The fngerprints must be taken
in a manner approved by the Department of Law Enforcement. The
fngerprints must be submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement for a
state and national criminal history records check. The Petitioner(s) may
not request a hearing on the Petition until the copy of the
fngerprints are fled and the clerk of court has receiveed the results
of the criminal history records check. The clerk of court can instruct you
on the process for having the fngerprints taken and submitted, including
information on law enforcement agencies or service providers authorized to
submit fngerprints electronically to the Department of Law Enforcement. The
process may take several weeks and the parent or guardian of the minor
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition
for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
must pay the cost of processing the fngerprints and conducting the state and
national history records check. Please note that the state and national
criminal records check must indicate whether you havee registered
as either a sexual predator or a sexual ofender and you must also
indicate on this petition whether you havee eveer been required to
register as a sexual predator under section 775.21, Florida Statutes,
or as a sexual ofender under section 943.0435, Florida Statutes.
If both parents agree to the change of name and live in the county where the
change of name is sought, you may both fle as petitioners . In this
situation, serveice is not necessary, and you need only to set a hearing . You
should ask the clerk of court, family law intake staf , or judicial assistant
about the local procedure for setting a hearing.
If only one parent is a resident of the county where the change of name(s) is
sought or only one parent asks for the child(ren)’s name(s) to be changed,
the other parent must be notifed and his or her consent obtained, if possible.
If the other parent consents to the change of name, a Consent for Change
of Name (Minor Child(ren)) , Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law
Form 12.982(d), should be fled.
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 notifed the other parent
about your petition and the hearing. If you know where he or she lives, you
must use personal serveice . If you absolutely do not know where he or she
lives, you may use constructivee serveice . 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). However, the law regarding constructive service is very
complex and you may wish to consult an attorney regarding that issue.
Next, you must obtain a fnal hearing date for the court to consider your
request. If you are seeking to restore a former name, a hearing on the
petition MAY be held immediately after the petition is fled. The fnal 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 staf, 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 (Minor Child(ren)) , Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law
Form 12.982(e), which may be used when a judge grants a change of name
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition
for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
for a minor child(ren). If you attend the hearing, you should take the fnal
judgment with you. You should complete the top part of the form, including
the circuit, county, case number, division, and 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 ofcially
changes your child(ren)’s name(s). The clerk can provide you with certifed
copies of the signed order. There will be charges for the certifed 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 fled electronically except in certain
circumstances. Self-represented litigants may fle petitions or other
pleadings or documents electronically; howeveer, they are not
required to do so. If you choose to fle 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 fle. 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 Sherif or certifed 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 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 fnd this rule at www.flcourts.org through the link to the Rules of Judicial
Administration provided under either Family Law Forms: Getting Started, or
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition
for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
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: Certifcate
of Serveice (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
means the parent(s) who is (are) requesting the change of their child(ren)’s
name(s). The judicial circuit, case number, and division may be obtained from
the clerk of court’s ofce when you fle the petition.
It may be helpful to compile a list of all of the people and places that will
need a copy of the fnal judgment. This list may include the driver’s license
ofce, social security ofce, banks, schools, etc. A 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 fll 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 fll 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(c), Petition
for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Children) (--/--)
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 (MINOR CHILD(REN))
I/We, {full legal name(s)} , being
sworn, certify that the following information is true:
I am/We are the birth or legal parent(s) or guardian of the minor child(ren)
named in this petition.
[Choose only one]
____ There is only one minor child named in this petition.
____ There are {enter number of children} children named in this petition. The
information on the frst child is entered below. I/We have attached the completed
supplemental forms for each other child.
The adult petitioner(s)’s fngerprints 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 receivees the results of the
criminal history records check. I/we also understand that the state and
national records check must indicate whether I/we havee registered as
either a sexual predator or a sexual ofender.
A. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT CHILD # 1 :
1. The minor child’s complete present name is:
I/We request that this minor child’s name be changed to:
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
2. The minor child lives in County, Florida, at {street address}
.
3. The minor child was born on {date} , 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 you are 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}
__________________________________.
7. [Choose one only]
_____The minor child has no children.
_____The minor child is the parent of the following child(ren):
Name {last, frst, middle initial} Date of Birth
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
(______Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an attached
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
page.)
8. Former names.
[Indicate all that apply]
_____The minor child’s name has never been changed by a court.
_____The minor child’s name previously was changed by court order from
_______________
to on {date} ,
by {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 certifcate 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)} ______________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
9. 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:
______________________________________________________________________________
10. 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 ofense, 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 ofense, regardless of adjudication.
The details of the criminal history are:
Date City/State Event (arrest, charge, plea, or adjudication)
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
(_____ 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 as a sexual
ofender under section 943.0435, Florida Statutes.
11 . 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
_________
_________
B. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT PETITIONER(S):
_____ PARENT _____ GUARDIAN
_____ A Supplemental Form has been attached for the other parent or
petitioner.
1. My complete present name is:
__________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. I live in ________________ County, Florida, at {street address}
________________________
______________________________________________________________________________.
3 . Bankruptcy
{Choose one only}
_____I have never been adjudicated bankrupt
_____I was adjudicated bankrupt on {date} ___________, in
{city}_________________________
{county} ____________________, {state}________________.
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
(_____ Please indicate here if you have fled additional bankruptcies, and
explain on an attached page.
4. Creditor(s)’ Judgments
{Choose one only}
_____ I have never had a money judgment entered against me by a creditor.
_____The following creditor)s)’ money judgments have been entered against
me:
Date Amount Creditor Court entering judgment and case number If
Paid {date}
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(_____ Please indicate here if these facts are continued on an attached page.)
5. 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 ofense,
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 ofense, regardless of adjudication. The details of my criminal history
are:
Date City/State Event (arrest, charge, plea, or adjudication)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
(_____ Please indicate here if these facts are continued 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
ofender under section 943.0435, Florida Statutes.
6. I have no ulterior or illegal purpose for fling this petition, and granting it
will not in any manner invade the property rights of others, whether
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
partnership, patent, good will, privacy, trademark, or otherwise.
7. My civil rights have never been suspended, or, if ever suspended, they
have been fully restored.
I understand that I am swearing or afrming under oath to the
truthfulness of the claims made in this petition and that the punishment
for knowingly making a false statement includes fnes 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
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
Sworn to or afrmed and signed before me on by .
NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK
[Print, type, or stamp commissioned name of
notary or clerk.]
______ Personally known
______ Produced identifcation
Type of identifcation produced
IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN
THE BLANKS BELOW:
[fll in all blanks] This form was prepared for the Petitioner.
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(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
ADULT SUPPLEMENTAL FORM FOR PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
(MINOR CHILD(REN))
Case No.:
______________________________
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT PETITIONER(S):
_____ PARENT _____ GUARDIAN
1. My complete present name is:
__________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
.
2. I live in ________________ County, Florida, at {street address}
___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________.
3 . 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 fled additional bankruptcies, and explain
on an attached page.
4. Creditor(s)’ Judgments
{Choose one only}
_____ I have never had a money judgment entered against me by a creditor.
_____The following creditor)s)’ money judgments have been entered against
me:
Date Amount Creditor Court entering judgment and case number If Paid
{date}
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(_____ Please indicate here if these facts are continued on an attached page.)
5. Criminal History
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
{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 ofense,
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 ofense, regardless of adjudication. The details of my criminal history
are:
Date City/State Event (arrest, charge, plea, or adjudication)
_________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(_____ Please indicate here if these facts are continued 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 ofender
under section 943.0435, Florida Statutes.
6. I have no ulterior or illegal purpose for fling 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.
7. My civil rights have never been suspended, or, if ever suspended, they have
been fully restored.
I understand that I am swearing or afrming under oath to the
truthfulness of the claims made in this petition and that the punishment
for knowingly making a false statement includes fnes and/or
imprisonment.
Dated: ____
Signature of
Petitioner:__________________________
Printed Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
Designated E-Mail
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
Address(es)_____________________
_____________________________________________
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF
Sworn to or afrmed and signed before me on by .
NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK
[Print, type, or stamp commissioned name of
notary or clerk.]
___ Personally known
__ Produced identifcation
Type of identifcation produced
IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN
THE BLANKS BELOW:
[fll in all blanks] This form was completed 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(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
MINOR CHILD # ________, continued
SUPPLEMENTAL FORM FOR PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (MINOR
CHILD(REN))
Case No.:
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT CHILD # :
1. 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 {date} , in {city, county, state,
country}
______________________________________________________________________________
.
4.
The minor child’s parents’ full legal name(s):
a. ______________________________________________ and
b. __________________________________________________.
c. {If applicable} The minor child’s parent’s’ maiden name(s):
and____________________________________________.
5. The minor child has 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. [Choose one only]
_____ The minor child is not married.
_____ The minor child is married to: {full legal name} .
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
MINOR CHILD # ________, continued
7. [Choose one only]
_____ The minor child has no children.
_____ The minor child is the parent of the following child(ren):
Name {last, frst, middle initial} Date of Birth
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(______Please indicate here if you are continuing these facts on an
attached page. )
8. Former names
[Indicate all that apply]
_____The minor child’s name has never been changed by a court .
_____The minor child’s name previously was changed by court order from
to on {date} ,
by {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 certifcate 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)}
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
9. 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:
.
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
MINOR CHILD # ________, continued
10. 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
ofense, 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 ofense, 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 ofender under section 943.0435, Florida Statutes.
11. 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 (have) been entered against him
or her:
Date Amount Creditor Court entering judgment and case number {date } if
Paid
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name
(Minor Child(ren)) (02/18)
