Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

Re: name change

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A child's name may be changed at anytime or any age if the petition is filed by the parents. A court will generally not allow a divorced or separated parent to change the child's surname from the other parent's surname. After the child reaches the age of majority (which is 18 in Florida), he or she can petition for themself.

Scott R. Jay, Esq.

Re: name change

No one has an actual given right to a name change. A minor cannot even petition to change his or her name. The parents fill out the petition for the child. Or the child can wait until majority (18) and petition him or herself.