Before the court will hear your name change petition, you must have your fingerprints submitted for a state and national criminal history records check.
There are several different agencies in Charlotte County that provide fingerprinting services for name change applicants. Please contact the agency near your location for more information or to make an appointment.
A few tips for the fingerprinting process:
**Fingerprints are not required if you are changing back to a legal name that you have already been known as
There are several different agencies in Charlotte County that provide fingerprinting services for name change applicants. Please contact the agency near your location for more information or to make an appointment.
- Punta Gorda Police Department - (941) 639-4111
- Charlotte County Sheriff (Punta Gorda Administrative Building) - (941) 639-2101
- Fingerprinting services are available Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm.
- North Port Police Department - (941) 429-7300
A few tips for the fingerprinting process:
- You must bring a picture ID - a Florida Driver's License is preferred.
- Very important - An Originating Agency Identification (ORI) Number for the Charlotte County Clerk of Court will need to be provided to the fingerprinting agency at the time of fingerprinting. This will insure that the FDLE returns the report to the Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller (Clerk) for use in your name change case. You can contact the Charlotte County Clerk of Court from their resources page to obtain their ORI Number.
- Be prepared to pay fees:
- Fingerprinting fees vary based on the agency providing them. Please contact the agency near you location for additional information regarding fees and accepted payment methods.
- A Transaction Control Number (TCN) will be issued upon getting your fingerprints done. KEEP this number for your records; it will likely be needed to make an online payment for the background check.
- The results of the background check will be sent directly to the Lee County Clerk of Court.
**Fingerprints are not required if you are changing back to a legal name that you have already been known as
Why do I have to get fingerprints taken?
This is to prevent people from committing a crime and then changing their name to escape the consequences.
This is to prevent people from committing a crime and then changing their name to escape the consequences.
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