To change your name, outside of marriage or divorce, you must file a petition for change of name. See Fees & Costs for the current filing fee and accepted payments. The Clerk’s office cannot provide legal advice or any assistance with the completion of forms.
Before the final court hearing, you are required to include a set of fingerprints taken by the Sheriff's office or any vendor that offers Live Scan fingerprinting. Visit the Clerk’s Family Relations Department to obtain a fingerprint card. The fingerprints are used for a criminal history background check. Your name is officially changed when the judge grants your petition and signs an order. This petition must be filed in the county of the petitioner's or family’s residence. It is important to include your name, address and telephone number on every document you file with the court. The records check is not required for petitions to restore a former name or for changes of name in proceedings for dissolution of marriage or adoption of children. If the name change is for a minor, the fingerprints of both parents must be taken and submitted, not the minor’s.
Download legal forms from the Florida Courts Website
Download Fingerprinting Instructions
Name Change Forms
Name Change FAQs
Do I need to file a separate name change petition for each person in my family?
No. All names can be changed by completing one form. This should be completed as part of your case.
Is the fee for the criminal history background check included in the filing fee?
The $37.25 is charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and is separate from the filing fee. The sheriff also charges $20.00 if paid by cash or $20.50 if paid by credit card for the electronic fingerprinting - private providers may charge more.
Licia Peterman
Family Manager
Licia first joined the Clerk’s office in 2002 in the child support division. In 2009, she became the administrative assistant for Performance Management, where she assisted with state compliance and reporting and maintained the e-Filing portal system. In 2018, she became the Family Manager, which is responsible for maintaining and updating records for all family and child support cases.
Contact Us
Family Relations Dept.
201 South Indian River Drive, 2nd Floor
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Directions to this Location
Mailing Address
Clerk and Comptroller
Attn: Family Department
P. O. Box 700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Hours of Operation
8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
(Excluding Holidays)
Phone: 772-462-6900
Fax: 772-462-2843
