Adopting A Muslim Name in Florida

Malcolm Little became Malcolm X.  Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali.  Cat Stevens became Yusuf Islam.  All three changed their names to reflect their Muslim identity and cultural beliefs.

And if you wish to change your legal name to reflect your identity and beliefs, section 68.07 of the Florida Statutes sets out how you may do so.

Florida is fairly permissive when it comes to allowing its citizens to change their legal names.  Other states require you to have a good reason to change your name.  But, so long as your civil rights are not suspended (by, for example, being convicted of a felony) and you are not petitioning to change your name for an illegal or ulterior purpose, it is Florida’s public policy that you should be permitted to take on a new name.

And, so, if you wish to change your name to turn over a new leaf or to reflect Muslim, Christian, Jewish, or other beliefs, you should feel secure in knowing that Florida provides the tools to make that name change legally official.

To schedule a consultation for a name change in Florida, call Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm at (813) 443-0615 or fill out our contact form.