What to Know About a Post-Divorce Name Change in Florida

Although many divorces include whether a woman will return to her maiden, or birth name, not all Florida divorce attorneys discuss this. And, if you self-filed, you may not have thought about the pros and cons of a post-divorce name change in Florida. If you are now thinking about it, here are some things to know and consider.

Pros & Cons of a Post-Divorce Name Change in Florida

Perhaps the biggest reason not to bother with a name change in Florida is that it is a time-consuming process. And, it is not free. In some cases there is a filing fee and, in all cases, you have to pay for a new license. If you have children together, changing your name can cause some identity confusion with them depending on their ages. You also may run up against confusion with their friends, teachers and others at school. If you were married most of your career, a name change can hurt networking and negatively impact your professional reputation.

However, there are reasons to change your name. For some women, returning to their birth name gives them back their sense of self. Some even say that they feel better, as if the divorce is now truly final. It can also provide a clue to friend’s parents to know that you and your child’s other parent are not married.

What if a Name Change Was Not Part of Your Divorce Decree?

A name change in Florida outside of one specified in a divorce decree takes a bit more work than one where it is already included in the decree. If you plan on returning to your birth name or another previous name, you need only submit your petition to the court. There is a Pinellas County filing fee of $400 (as of the writing of this blog). However, if you wish to change to a new name, you will need to consent to a background check and submit fingerprints. Note that this costs an additional $10 which must be in cash. It can take as long as six months for the process.

Improperly filed paperwork can extend the timeframe. This is why you should ask your family law attorney to file for you as part of your divorce. It may also take longer if you are returning to a former name or not.

Need Help with a Name Change in Florida? Call Wagstaff & Pitelis

Although most of the name change paperwork we submit for our clients are a direct result of a divorce settlement, we can help you with a name change for any reason. As we are a family law firm, we handle adoptions and process name changes for relative adoption, adult adoption, and minor adoptions. Call us to schedule your consultation and get started on your name change in Florida. We can be reached at (727) 584-8182 or you can fill out our contact form.

Note: We are also monitoring the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.