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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.982(c), PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (MINOR CHILD(REN)) (01/09)
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 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 final, the change of name should be done as part of that case. This form should be typed or printed in black ink. The primary petition should only be completed for one child. If you wish to change the names of more than one child, you should complete and file a Supplemental Form for Petition for Change of Name (Minor Child) for each child. The supplemental form is an attachment to the petition. Be sure that the bottom of each page of each supplemental form is initialed by the petitioner(s). You must obtain a copy of the petitioner(s)'s fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency and attach it to the petition. There may be a charge for the fingerprinting which you will have to pay. After completing this form, you should sign the form before a notary public or deputy clerk. You should 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 both parents agree to the change of name and live in the county where the change of name is sought, you may both file as petitioners. In this situation, service is not necessary, and you need only to set a hearing. You should ask the clerk of court, family law intake staff, 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 notified 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 filed. 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
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.982(c), Petition for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) (01/09)

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). 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 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 (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 for a minor child(ren). If you attend the hearing, you should take the final 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 officially changes your child(ren)'s name(s). 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 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 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(c), Petition for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) (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 (MINOR CHILD(REN))
I/We, {full legal name(s)} certify that the following information is true: , being sworn,

I am/We are the birth or legal parent(s) of the minor child(ren) named in this petition. [ only one] a. ___ There is only one minor child named in this petition. b. ___ There are {enter number of children} children named in this petition. The information on the first child is entered below. I/We have attached the completed supplemental forms for each other child. A copy of the petitioner(s)'s fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency is attached to this petition. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT CHILD # 1. Minor child's complete present name is: I/We request that this minor child's name be changed to: 1 :

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 father's full legal name: The minor child's mother's full legal name:

. .

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

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 you are 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 full name(s) and date(s) of birth}

.

.

. 8. Former names. [ 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 certificate 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. [ 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.

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

___

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 THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT PETITIONER(S): 12. Petitioner(s) live in County, Florida, at {street address} . 13. I/We 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. 14. My/our civil rights have never been suspended, or, if ever 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/Father Printed Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone Number: Fax Number:

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

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 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/Mother
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

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

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(s)} , who is (are) the petitioner(s), fill out this form.

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

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 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 you are 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} .

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

MINOR CHILD # ________, continued
8. Former names [ 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 certificate 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 [ 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 (have) 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(c), Petition for Change of Name (Minor Child(ren)) (01/09)