Florida Petition for Change of Name for Minor

Can You Change Your Child Last Name Without Father Consent? Yes you can. Unfortunately, a father is often not in the picture when a child is growing up. Sometimes a mother drops out of a child's life and the same thing is true for the father.

Both legal parents have the right to name a child or to request a name change. However, one parent can't change a child's name without the approval of the other parent. Thus, if the mother doesn't approve, then the father requesting the name change must file a petition with the court for a decision.

Get Fingerprinted. Each person seeking the child's name change is called a "petitioner." A petitioner in a child's case could be one or both parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Complete and Submit the Paperwork. Obtain Consent and Request a Hearing. Attend the Hearing. Get Certified Copies of the Court Order.

If a parent does not consent to the name change, they must be formally served with a copy of the Petition and hearing date after filing the Petition. Ask the clerk for one certified copy of the Petition for each parent that did not file the Petition or fill out a Consent form.

Your county courthouse may require you to purchase a name change packet before filing your petition, which may be between $5 and $50. By state legislature, the filing fee for a legal name change is $401. This fee is applicable regardless of how minor or significant the name change is.

There is no cost. It is free to change the last name of a child during the course of a Family Court proceeding. There is, however, a $65 fee for filing for a name change in Civil Court and a $210 fee for Supreme Court.