What You Need to Know
A legal name change in Missouri requires a court order from the Associate Circuit Court in the county where you live. Once granted, the order is your official proof of name change — accepted by every government agency, financial institution, and employer in the country.
Missouri name changes are governed by RSMo § 527.270. The process is one of the simplest in this guide — one petition, a background check, a brief hearing, and you're done.
If you are returning to a former name as part of a divorce, you don't need a separate name change petition — you can request it as part of your Decree of Dissolution. See our Missouri Divorce guide. This guide covers standalone adult name changes only.
You must be a Missouri resident and file in the county where you currently live. There is no minimum residency period for name changes — you just need to live there at the time of filing.
Missouri courts run a criminal background check on all adult name change petitioners. A prior criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but the judge has discretion to deny a name change if they believe it is being sought to evade creditors, commit fraud, or avoid law enforcement.
How to Change Your Name in Missouri
Complete the Petition for Name Change
Fill out the Petition for Change of Name. You will provide your current legal name, your desired new name, your address, the reason for the name change (personal preference is sufficient — you don't need a compelling legal reason), and a statement that the change is not being sought to defraud creditors or evade law enforcement.
File at the Associate Circuit Court
File in the county where you live. Bring your completed petition and your filing fee ($75–$100 depending on county). The clerk will assign a hearing date — typically 4–6 weeks out. Some counties require you to publish a notice in a local newspaper before the hearing. Your kit specifies which counties require publication and which don't.
✓ Publication Requirement — County SpecificSome Missouri counties require you to publish notice of your name change petition in a local newspaper once a week for two consecutive weeks before the hearing. This costs approximately $30–$60. Not all counties require it. Your kit tells you exactly which counties do and which newspapers are approved.
Background Check
The court will run a background check after you file. This happens automatically — you don't need to do anything. Results go directly to the judge. If you have a prior record, the judge may ask you about it at the hearing — be honest and straightforward.
Attend the Hearing
Name change hearings are brief — typically 5 minutes or less for uncontested cases with no criminal history. The judge will confirm your identity, ask if the information in your petition is accurate, and ask the reason for the change. Personal preference is a completely valid reason. The judge signs the Order Granting Name Change on the spot in most cases.
Get Certified Copies of Your Order
Immediately after the hearing, go to the clerk's window and get certified copies of your Order Granting Name Change. Get at least 6–8 copies. Each agency you notify will want an original certified copy — not a photocopy. Certified copies typically cost $2–$5 each. This is the most important step — without certified copies, nothing else works.
Update Your Records — In the Right Order
Update your records in this specific order — each agency often requires proof from the previous one. Social Security first, then DMV, then everything else. See the After Your Order section below for the complete sequence.
How to Update Your Records — In the Right Order
Update these in sequence. Social Security must come first — everything else flows from your updated Social Security record.
1. Social Security Administration
First and most important. Bring your court order and current ID to your local SSA office. Free. Updated in 24–48 hours. New card mailed within 2 weeks.
2. Missouri DMV (Driver's License)
Bring your court order and updated Social Security card. Pay the license replacement fee (~$10). New license issued same day at most locations.
3. Passport
If your passport is less than 1 year old — Form DS-5504, free. If older — Form DS-11 or DS-82, standard fees apply. Bring court order and current passport.
4. Employer / HR
Notify HR with a copy of your court order. They'll update payroll, benefits, and company records. Also update your W-4 and direct deposit information.
5. Banks & Financial Accounts
Bring your court order and new ID to each bank. Update checking, savings, credit cards, investment accounts, and beneficiary designations.
6. Voter Registration
Update your Missouri voter registration at vote.mo.gov or at your county election authority office. Bring your new ID.
7. Vehicle Titles & Property
Update vehicle titles at the DMV. For real property, you may need to file a Scrivener's Affidavit with the county recorder — your kit explains this process.
8. Everything Else
Insurance policies, utilities, subscriptions, professional licenses, medical records, school records, and any other accounts or records in your name.
The $29.95 kit includes a master checklist of every agency and account to update, with specific instructions for each one, the exact forms required, and the correct order to do everything. Print it, check things off as you go, and you won't miss anything.
The Forms You Need
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Petition for Change of Name
Main filing document. Includes your current name, desired name, reason, and residency information.
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Order Granting Change of Name
The court order signed by the judge. Issued at the hearing. This is your official proof of name change.
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SSA Form SS-5 (Social Security Name Change)
Federal form to update your Social Security name. Filed at your local SSA office after the court order.
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Passport Form DS-5504 or DS-82
Federal forms to update your passport. Which form depends on when your passport was issued.
Missouri Name Change Filing by County
Filing fees and publication requirements vary significantly by county. Your $29.95 kit includes complete details for all 114 Missouri counties — including which counties require newspaper publication and which approved newspapers to use.
| County | Filing Fee | Publication Required? | Full Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis City | ~$93 | Yes — 2 consecutive weeks | Get Kit |
| St. Louis County | ~$97 | Yes — 2 consecutive weeks | Get Kit |
| St. Charles County | ~$81 | Yes — 2 consecutive weeks | Get Kit |
| Jefferson County | ~$76 | Yes — 2 consecutive weeks | Get Kit |
| Franklin County | ~$78 | Check local rules | Get Kit |
| + 109 More Counties | Varies | Varies | Get Kit |
Everything in One Place. $29.95.
- ✓ Step-by-step filing checklist with checkboxes
- ✓ County-specific fees — all 114 Missouri counties
- ✓ Publication requirements by county with approved newspapers
- ✓ Hearing preparation guide
- ✓ Master after-order checklist — every agency in the right order
- ✓ SSA, DMV, passport update instructions
- ✓ Property title update guide (Scrivener's Affidavit)
- ✓ Name change glossary
All 114 Missouri counties included
Free Legal Help in Missouri
Missouri Courts Self-Help Center
Official name change forms and county-specific procedural notes.
Social Security Administration
Update your Social Security name after your court order. Find your local office at ssa.gov.
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Free legal help for low-income St. Louis area residents.