Kelvin Soto, Esq.
2 Courthouse Square
Kissimmee, Florida 34741

Name Change

PLEASE NOTE THAT NEW CASES WILL NOT BE OPENED AFTER 3:30 PM

This process is used when an individual or a family wants to ask the court to change a name. If a name change is to be done because of a dissolution of marriage or an adoption, the name change should be requested as part of that case if a final judgment has not been entered.

REQUIRED PROOF FOR ADULT NAME CHANGE

THE PETITIONER must show proof at the time of filing for a name change certain

required statutory allegations, and the best evidence supporting those allegations is

documentation from governmental entities; and therefore, it is

REQUIRED: The following documents are about the person whose name is to be

change:

  1. BIRTH CERTIFICATE: A certified copy (government seal of authenticity) of a birth

certificate issued by one of the 50 United States must be filed. If occurred outside

America then a copy of the passport, plus immigration papers verifying the identity

of the person.

  1. OSCEOLA COUNTY RESIDENCE: Driver’s license, voters of Florida Identification Card

which shows that the person has been a resident of Osceola County prior to filing

the petition for name change. You must reside in Osceola County.

  1. PRIOR NAME CHANGE: If divorced, adopted, or had a name change through a court;

then a certified copy of the final judgment showing the name change.

  1. BANKRUPTY: A bankruptcy search must be done from the US Bankruptcy Court, 135
  2. Central Blvd. Ste 950, Orlando FL 32801. Telephone # (407) 237-8000 ($ fee) and

provide a certificate regarding bankruptcy, plus copy charge if any.

  1. MONEY JUDGMENT: To verify this allegation you must go to the Osceola County

Recording Department (located on the second floor, 2 Courthouse Square,

Kissimmee FL) and secure a print screen showing no final judgments recorded. If a

judgment has been entered, you must provide a copy of the recorded judgment and

an addressed, stamped envelope for each judgment holder. Under law they are to

be provided a copy of the final judgement. Also, please complete the Affidavit of

Money Judgment Search contained within this packet.

  1. CRIMINAL RECORD: To verify the criminal record of a person, the Florida

Department of Law Enforcement and FBI must conduct a state and national criminal

history records check. You first must get your fingerprints done. (See additional

information on name change fingerprints procedures). You must contact either one

of the fingerprints providers or your local law enforcement agency and they will tell

you the cost and procedure for having your fingerprints done. Locally this is done on

Tues. & Thurs. from 9 a.m.- 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. at the Osceola County

Sheriff Dept. located at 2601 E. Irlo Bronson Hwy. Kissimmee FL 34744. You must

then follow the instructions for the Name change fingerprints procedures.

**YOU MUST PRESENT ALL ABOVE REQUIREMENTS AT THE TIME OF FILING**

ALL SEARCH MUST BE DONE WITH THE LEGAL NAME (ON BIRHT CERTIFICATE) AND

WITH ANY ALIAS NAMES ALSO USED.

All name change petitions, except where a former name is being restored, must include a copy of the petitioner’s electronic fingerprints taken by the Osceola County Sheriff’s office or FDLE approved private vendor. The fingerprints are then submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for criminal history records checks. The results are automatically sent to the Clerk’s Office. A background check is not required for petitions to restore a former name.

If the name change request is on behalf of a minor, consent may be required from the parent not filing the request and fingerprints of the adult petitioner must be submitted.

When the criminal history has been received by the clerk, the judicial assistant will notify you of the hearing date.

If the petitioner is seeking to restore a former name, a hearing on the petition may be held immediately after the petition is filed. The judicial assistant will notify you of the hearing date.

The Clerk of Circuit Court will report name changes to the Department of Health/Vital Statistics. This process takes approximately 30 days.

Forms 12.982 A-G are not to be used in connection with an adoption, dissolution of marriage, or paternity action.
Kelvin Soto, Esq.
2 Courthouse Square
Kissimmee, Florida 34741
Department Contact
(407) 742-3500

 

 

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