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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.982(f), PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (FAMILY) (01/09)
When should this form be used?
This form should be used when a family wants the court to change its name. This form is not to be used in connection with a divorce, paternity, or adoption action. If you want a change of name because of a dissolution of marriage, paternity, or adoption action that is not yet final, the change of name should be done as part of that case. This form should be typed or printed in black ink. The petition should only be completed for one adult. If you wish to change the name(s) of another adult and/or child(ren), you should complete and file a Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family) for each additional family member and file the supplemental form(s) as an attachment to the petition. Be sure that the bottom of each child's supplemental form is initialed. A copy of the fingerprints of each adult family member who is petitioning to have his or her name changed, taken by a law enforcement agency, must be attached to the petition. There may be a charge for the fingerprinting which you will have to pay. After completing this form, it should be signed before a notary public or deputy clerk. You should then file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where you live and keep a copy for your records.

What should I do next?
If any of the children for whom you are requesting this change of name are not the legal children of both adults filing this petition, you must obtain the consent of the legal parent(s). A parent not named as a petitioner in this action may consent by submitting a Consent for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(d). 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 notified the other parent about your petition and the hearing. If you know where he or she lives, you must use personal service. If you absolutely do not know where he or she lives, you may use constructive service. 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). The law on constructive service is very complex and you may wish to consult an attorney regarding constructive service. Next, you must obtain a final hearing date for the court to consider your request. You should ask the clerk of court, family law intake staff, 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 (Family), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(g), which may be
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

used when a judge grants a change of name for a family. If you attend the hearing, you should take the final judgment form with you. You should complete the top part of this form, including the circuit, county, case number, division, 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 officially changes your family's name. The clerk can provide you with certified copies of the signed order. There will be charges for the certified copies, and the clerk can tell you how much those charges are.

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.

Special notes...
The heading of the form calls for the name(s) of the petitioner(s). This is (are) the parent(s) who are requesting the change of their family's name(s). The judicial circuit, case number, and division may be obtained from the clerk of court's office when you file the petition. It may be helpful to compile a list of all of the people and places that will need a copy of the final judgment. This list may include the driver's license office, social security office, 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 fill 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 fill 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(f), Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE IN AND FOR

JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: Division:

IN RE: THE NAME CHANGE OF , Petitioner/Father, , Petitioner/Mother.

PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (FAMILY)
I/We, {full legal name(s)} certify that the following information is true: , being sworn,

There are {enter number} adults named in this petition. A supplemental form is attached for each adult not set out below. There are {enter number} children named in this petition. I am/We are the birth or legal parents of the minor child(ren) named in this petition. I/We have attached a completed supplemental form for each minor child. A copy of the fingerprints of each adult person seeking a name change in this petition, taken by a law enforcement agency, is attached. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT PETITIONER ( ) HUSBAND ( ) WIFE: 1. My complete present name is: . I request that my name be changed to: . 2. I live in County, Florida, at {street address} . 3. I was born on {date} {state} , {country} 4. My father's full legal name: My mother's full legal name: My mother's maiden name: 5. I have lived in the following places since birth:
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

, in {city}

, {county}

, . . . .

Dates (to/from) Address / / / / / / / / Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 6. Family [ all that apply] a. ___ I am not married. b. ___ I am married. My spouse's full legal name is: . c. ___ I do not have child(ren). d. ___ The name(s), age(s), and address(es) of my child(ren) are as follows (all children, including those over 18, must be listed): Name {last, first, middle initial} Age Address, City, State

Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 7. Former names [ all that apply] __ My name has never been changed by a court. __ My name previously was changed by court order from to on {date} , by {court, city, and state} . A copy of the court order is attached. __ My name previously was changed by marriage from to on {date} , in {city, county, and state} . A copy of the marriage certificate is attached. __ I have never been known or called by any other name. __ I have been known or called by the following other name(s): {list name(s) and explain where you were known or called by such name(s)} .

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

8. Occupation My occupation is: I am employed at: {company and address} During the past 5 years, I have had the following jobs: Dates (to/from) Employer and employer's address / / / / / / Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 9. Business [ one only] __ I do not own and operate a business. __ I own and operate a business. The name of the business is: The street address is: My position with the business is: I have been involved with the business since: {date} 10. Profession [ one only] __ I am not in a profession. __ I am in a profession. My profession is: I have practiced this profession: Dates (to/from) Place and address / / / / / Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 11. Education I have graduated from the following school(s): Degree Date of Received Graduation School

. .

. . . .

.

Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

12. Criminal History [ one only] __ I have never been arrested for or charged with, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or have been found to have committed a criminal offense, 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 offense, regardless of adjudication. The details of my criminal history are: Date City/State Event (arrest, charge, plea, or adjudication)

Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 13. Bankruptcy [ one only] __ I have never been adjudicated bankrupt. __ I was adjudicated bankrupt on {date} , in {city} , {county} , {state} . Check here if you have had additional bankruptcies, and explain on an attached page. 14. Creditor(s)' Judgments [ one only] __ I have never had a money judgment entered against me by a creditor. __ The following creditor(s)' money judgment(s) have been entered against me: Court entering judgment and case number if Paid Check here if these facts are continued on an attached page. Date Amount Creditor 15. I have no ulterior or illegal purpose for filing 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. 16. My civil rights have never been suspended, or, if my civil rights have been suspended, they have been fully restored. I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims made in this petition and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or imprisonment.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

Dated: Signature of Petitioner Printed Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone Number: Fax Number: STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF Sworn to or affirmed and signed before me on

by

.

NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK

[Print, type, or stamp commissioned name of notary or clerk.] Personally known Produced identification Type of identification produced IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW: [fill in all blanks] I, {full legal name and trade name of nonlawyer} , a nonlawyer, located at {street} , {city} , {state} , {phone} , helped {name} , who is the petitioner, fill out this form.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

ADULT SUPPLEMENTAL FORM FOR PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (FAMILY) Case No.: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT PETITIONER ( ) HUSBAND ( ) WIFE: 1. My complete present name is: . I request that my name be changed to: . 2. I live in County, Florida, at {street address} . 3. I was born on {date} {state} , {country} 4. My father's full legal name: My mother's full legal name: My mother's maiden name: 5. I have lived in the following places since birth: Dates (to/from) Address / / / / / / / / / Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 6. Family [ all that apply] a. ___ I am not married. b. ___ I am married. My spouse's full legal name is: . c. ___ I do not have child(ren). d. ___ The name(s), age(s), and address(es) of my child(ren) are as follows (all children, including those over 18, must be listed): Name {last, first, middle initial} Age Address, City, State , in {city} , {county} , . . . .

PETITIONER(S) MUST INITIAL HERE
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 7. Former names [ all that apply] __ My name has never been changed by a court. __ My name previously was changed by court order from to on {date} by {court, city, and state} . A copy of the court order is attached. __ My name previously was changed by marriage from to on {date} in {city, county, and state} . A copy of the marriage certificate is attached. __ I have never been known or called by any other name. __ I have been known or called by the following other name(s): {list name(s) and explain where you were known or called by such name(s)}

8. Occupation My occupation is: I am employed at: {company and address} During the past 5 years, I have had the following jobs: Dates (to/from) Employer and employer's address / / / / / / / Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 9. Business [ one only] __ I do not own and operate a business. __ I own and operate a business. The name of the business is: The street address is: My position with the business is: I have been involved with the business since: {date} 10. Profession [ one only] __ I am not in a profession. __ I am in a profession. My profession is: I have practiced this profession: Dates (to/from) Place and address

. .

. . . .

.

PETITIONER(S) MUST INITIAL HERE
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

PETITIONER #

, continued

/ / / / / Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 11. Education I have graduated from the following school(s): Degree Date of Received Graduation School

Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 12. Criminal History [ one only] __ I have never been arrested for or charged with, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found to have committed a criminal offense, 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 offense, regardless of adjudication. The details of my criminal history are: Date City/State Event (arrest, charge, plea, or adjudication)

Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 13. Bankruptcy [ one only] __ I have never been adjudicated bankrupt. __ I was adjudicated bankrupt on {date} , in {city} {county} , {state} . Check here if you have had additional bankruptcies, and explain on an attached page. 14. Creditors' Judgments [ one only] __ I have never had a money judgment entered against me by a creditor. __ The following creditor(s)' money judgment(s) have been entered against me: Date Amount Creditor Court entering judgment and case number if Paid

,

PETITIONER(S) MUST INITIAL HERE
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

PETITIONER #

, continued

Check here if these facts are continued on an attached page. 15. I have no ulterior or illegal purpose for filing 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. 16. My civil rights have never been suspended, or, if my civil rights have been suspended, they have been fully restored. I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims made in this petition and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or imprisonment. Dated: Signature of Petitioner Printed Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone Number: Fax Number: STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF Sworn to or affirmed and signed before me on by .

NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK

[Print, type, or stamp commissioned name of notary or clerk.] Personally known Produced identification Type of identification produced IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW: [fill in all blanks] I, {full legal name and trade name of nonlawyer} , a nonlawyer, located at {street} , {city} , {state} , {phone} , helped {name} , who is the petitioner, fill out this form.

PETITIONER(S) MUST INITIAL HERE
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

CHILD SUPPLEMENTAL FORM FOR PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (FAMILY) Case No.: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT MINOR 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

, in {city, county, state, country} .

4. The minor child's father's full legal name: The minor child's mother's full legal name: The minor child's mother's maiden name: 5. The minor child has lived in the following places since birth: Dates (to/from) Address / / / / / / / Check here if continuing these facts on an attached page. 6. [ one only] __ The minor child is not married __ The minor child is married to: {full legal name} 7. [ one only] __ The minor child has no children. __ The minor child is the parent of the following child(ren): {enter name(s) and date(s) of birth} . 8. Former names [ all that apply] __ The minor child's name has never been changed by court order. __ The minor child's name previously was changed by court order from to on {date}

. . .

.

PETITIONER(S) MUST INITIAL HERE
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)

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} __ 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 [ one only] __ 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 offense, 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 offense, regardless of adjudication. The details of the criminal history are: Date City/State Event (arrest, charge, plea, or adjudication)

Check here if you are continuing these facts on an attached page. 11. Money Judgments [ 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 if Paid

PETITIONER(S) MUST INITIAL HERE
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(f), Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name (Family) (01/09)