1. Naturalization
2. Marriage
3. Divorce
4. Preventing identity theft. Some people change their names after their identity has been stolen.
5. Avoiding stalkers. When those in the limelight have caught the attention of society, stalkers may begin to intrude upon a person's personal space. Stalkers may also target someone not in the public eye as well, prompting the desire to change one's name, address, or place of employment.
6. Personal reasons

As you begin the process of changing your name, keep in mind that your application may be declined in certain circumstances. In the state of Florida, most name changes are accepted as long as you are not changing your name for fraudulent purposes such as trying to avoid creditors or hide from law enforcement.http://www.floridanamechange.com/name_change_laws_procedures.php

1. File a case with the circuit court in the county in which you reside. You will likely file the case at the Clerk of Courts office, usually located in the county courthouse. When you file, you will receive a Forms Package.http://www.floridanamechange.com/name_change_laws_procedures.php
2. File a petition. Once you have filed the case, you will need to type up and file a petition, which is a written request for the court to take some type of action, in this case a name change. You will want to print out the sample name change petition from the Forms Package you received and fill it out using black ink or by typing it. Make sure you use your current legal name, not the name you want to change it to.http://www.floridanamechange.com/name_change_laws_procedures.php
3. Get the petition notarized. Make sure you sign the petition in front of the notary.http://www.floridanamechange.com/name_change_laws_procedures.php
4. Create a Civil Cover Sheet, a sample of which can be found in your forms package. This will be filed along with the petition.http://www.floridanamechange.com/name_change_laws_procedures.php
5. Pay the filing fee, which varies by county.http://www.floridanamechange.com/name_change_laws_procedures.php
6. Before moving forward, you will need to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check.http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0068/SEC07.HTM&Title=-%3E2009-%3ECh0068-%3ESection%2007#0068.07
7. Set a hearing date. Speak to the Clerk of Court when you file the petition to find out the process in your particular county. Some courts, or specific judges, will not require that you be present for a hearing, for example.http://www.floridanamechange.com/name_change_laws_procedures.php
8. Wait for the final judgement. If you are required to go to court, the final judgement will be announced here. Otherwise, you will be contacted accordingly. Again, different counties have varying procedures, so check with the Clerk of Court when you file your petition.http://www.floridanamechange.com/name_change_laws_procedures.php

1. Driver's license or identification card
2. Social Security Card. You will need to fill out a Form SS-5, providing identity documentation to reflect your old name and identity documentation to reflect your new name.http://www.floridanamechange.com/name_change_laws_procedures.php
3. Passport. You will be required to fill out appropriate forms, including a DS-19. You will need a copy of the final court judgment as well, in addition to your old passport.http://www.floridanamechange.com/name_change_laws_procedures.php
4. Birth Certificate. If you were not born in the state of Florida, you will want to contact the Department of Vital Records in the state in which you were born for further information on how to alter your birth certificate to reflect your name change.http://www.floridanamechange.com/name_change_laws_procedures.php