There are many different reasons why an adult in Florida might want to legally change their name. Perhaps they have a legacy name. A parent named them after a spouse or other older family members to honor that person. However, an adult may learn that their namesake was dishonorable or abusive. They might want to change their name to sever their connection to that person.
Other times, a prior divorce might be the reason for a name change. A parent trying to keep things stable for their children might keep their married name to limit the changes that occur following a divorce. They may then choose to change their name later because they want separation from their spouse or simply because their children are now legally adults.
What does the name change process in Florida typically involve?
People have to go to court
Changing a name typically involves going to court. Unless someone makes the change as part of a marriage or divorce, they have to receive judicial approval for a legal name change. Legally changing a name affects other members of society, not just the person requesting the change.
A name change makes it harder to perform a criminal background check, review work records or otherwise look into someone’s history. The courts typically perform a thorough review to verify that someone is not a threat to the general public and that the reasoning behind the name change request is innocent, not nefarious.
The individual requesting the name change has to file paperwork requesting a hearing once they have submitted to fingerprinting with local law enforcement. The paperwork requires both precision and notarization. The applicant then has to attend a hearing where a judge asks questions about the matter.
Finally, once the judge signs the document, either the court clerk or the applicant must file the final judgment paperwork. Only after someone completes the process and undergoes thorough judicial review can they legally change their name in accordance with Florida state statutes. They generally have to reach out to various parties, ranging from the Social Security Administration to their bank, to update their records to match their new name.
Pursuing a formal name change can take months, but can leave people more confident about their identity and their personal legacy. Those who understand the name change process may feel more confident about changing the way that society identifies and addresses them.