Tampa Name Change Attorney
There are many reasons that a person in Florida will seek a legal name change. In many circumstances, the name change is in connection with a marriage or a divorce. Sometimes there may be a need to change a minor’s last name, as well. In yet other types of circumstances, an adult might seek to change their name outside the context of marriage or divorce. The process for changing your name will depend upon whether you are seeking to restore a former name because you are getting divorced or changing your name for another reason. The process for changing a name can be complicated, but a lawyer can help you. Contact our experienced Tampa name change attorney to learn more about the different ways of making a legal name change in Florida.
When Can I Seek a Legal Name Change in Tampa?
If you are seeking to change your name in Florida, it is important to consider the circumstances under which you are seeking a legal name change. While the reasons may not ultimately affect your case, the conditions under which you are seeking the legal name change can impact the process or steps you will need to take. The following are the general circumstances under which a person will seek a legal name change:
- Adult name change because the adult is getting married;
- Adult name change because the adult is getting divorced;
- Child name change because of an adoption or another reason in the child’s best interests; or
- Adult name change unrelated to marriage or divorce.
Steps to Take for a Tampa Name Change
What is the process for your legal name change? The steps you will ultimately need to take will depend upon whether you are seeking an adult or a child legal name change, and if it is an adult legal name change, whether or not it is a restoration of a former name due to divorce or a name change due to marriage.
For the restoration of an adult former name because of a divorce, you can include this name change request in your petition for divorce. This is the easiest type of name change since you will not need to go through a separate legal process to petition the court for a name change. Once your divorce is granted and you have a final judgment, you will be able to use the final judgment to restore your former name with the DMV and Social Security.
When you are changing your name because of marriage, you will be able to change your name with your application for your marriage license. You will then be able to use your marriage license to name changes to your driver’s license at the DMV and with Social Security.
Similarly, if you are seeking to change a child’s last name in connection with a paternity or adoption action, then you can request the child name change along with that court petition.
The process is much more complex for a name change unrelated to marriage or divorce, or in connection with adoption or paternity for a child. Under these circumstances, you will need to petition the court for a name change. There are a series of steps you must take and information you must provide. First, you must go through a background check and be fingerprinted. Then you must file a petition with very detailed information and attend a court hearing. You should always have a lawyer on your side for this complicated process.
Contact The Law Office of Laura A. Olson, P.A. Today
If you need assistance with a name change, a lawyer can help. Contact our experienced Tampa name change attorney today to get started on your legal name change.
