LGBTQ+

In general, any adult can ask the court to change their name, as long as it is not for an illegal or illicit purpose.

To change your name without a recent marriage or divorce, you will need a court order approving your name change. To do so, you will need to follow a series of steps:

1. Get your fingerprints taken by a local law enforcement or private company.
2. File a petition for a name change with your local court and pay the appropriate fees or file an indigent form in order to waive the fees.
3. Attend the final hearing where you will obtain the court order for your name to be changed. 
4. After obtaining your court order, you will need to visit the Social Security office to change your name on your social security card by filing out the form SS-5. In addition, you will need to visit your nearest DMV office to change your name on your ID or driver’s license.

Currently in the state of Florida it is virtually impossible, except in very limited circumstances, to change your gender marker on a Florida birth certificate or Florida driver’s license or identification card. However, there are forms and procedures available to change or choose your gender marker on federal documents such as a passport.

Individuals who identify as LGBTQ and believe they have faced housing discrimination due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity can assert their rights under the Fair Housing Act by filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).