Voter ID in Florida

Florida is a non-strict voter ID law.

You will need to show photo ID to confirm your identity when voting in person.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

Any registered Florida voter may vote by mail.

You may need to provide ID information when you apply for a vote-by-mail ballot.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!


Changing Your Legal Name

You must file a formal request with the clerk of your county’s Circuit Court to change your name in Florida.

You will need to be fingerprinted and undergo state and federal criminal background checks as part of the name-change process.

If the court approves your name change, you will receive a court order that can be used to update the name on your ID documents.

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RESOURCE

FloridaNameChange.org

If you change your legal name in Florida…

The Clerk of Court will automatically send a Report of Legal Change of Name to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. This usually happens within thirty (30) days.

If the Bureau of Vital Statistics has your mailing address, you will be notified in writing when your report is received. Upon payment of applicable fee(s), the state will amend your birth certificate and issue you a new one.

If you change your legal name in another state…

A certified copy of your legal name change must be submitted with your request to Florida’s Bureau of Vital Statistics.

To change the name on your Florida birth certificate, you will need to provide:

  • completed Application for Amendment form (PDF)
  • copy of current photo identification such as driver’s license, State ID, US Passport, or Military ID Card
  • notarized Affidavit of Amendment form (PDF)
  • certified copy of name-change court order
  • payment of applicable fee(s)

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

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RESOURCE

FloridaNameChange.org

You must update your name with the Social Security Administration at least 48 business hours before you can change your on a Florida-issued ID.

You must update your Florida driver license or state ID within 30 days of changing your legal name.

Visit a FLHSMV office and provide a certified copy of your name-change court order along with the other required documentation.

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RESOURCE

FloridaNameChange.org


Updating Gender Markers

Florida’s Bureau of Vital Statistics will amend the gender marker on your birth certificate if it receives “original, certified, or notarized supporting documentary evidence” of your gender transition.

What you are required to provide as evidence is not explicitly defined by law. 

To change the gender on your Florida birth certificate, you will need to provide:

  • completed Application for Amendment form (PDF)
  • notarized Affidavit of Amendment form (PDF
  • sworn medical certification on a physician’s office letterhead that you have received “appropriate” medical treatment for your gender transition (Example language via FloridaNameChange.org)
  • payment of applicable fee(s)

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

•••

RESOURCE

FloridaNameChange.org

January 2024 Update: The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has issued new guidance indicating that it will no longer permit updates to gender markers on Florida driver’s licenses. We will provide more information when it is available. 

 


 

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