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How to Legally Change Your Name in Missouri

Filing fee, court, publication rules, official forms, and a free calculator that builds your exact steps. Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in Missouri is filed in the Circuit Court (county of residence) and costs about $90–$200 (typical $165, varies by county). In Missouri, you must publish a notice in a newspaper, and most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.

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Missouri name change at a glance

Every figure is verified against Missouri Circuit Court and .gov sources.

Cost, court, publication requirement, and timeline for each type of name change in Missouri.
SituationCourtFiling feePublicationTimeline
MarriageNo court needed$0—Depends on ID updates
DivorceCircuit Court (through the Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage)$0Not required1–4 weeks
Adult petitionCircuit Court (county of residence)$90–$200Required6–12 weeks
Minor childCircuit Court (county of residence)$90–$200Required6–12 weeks
Gender identityCircuit Court (county of residence)$90–$200Required (waivable)6–12 weeks

Choose your situation

Marriage→

Take your spouse's name or hyphenate — usually no court petition needed.

No court petition

Divorce→

Restore your former or maiden name through the divorce decree or a short filing.

$0 · Circuit Court (through the Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage)

Adult petition→

Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.

$90–$200 · Circuit Court (county of residence)

Minor child→

Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.

$90–$200 · Circuit Court (county of residence)

Gender identity→

Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.

$90–$200 · Circuit Court (county of residence)

The Missouri name-change process

Most legal name changes in Missouri that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Circuit Court (county of residence). You file where you live — Circuit Court in the county where you live. The filing fee is $90–$200 (typical $165, varies by county), so confirm the exact amount with your county clerk before you file.

After you file, you publish a legal notice in a newspaper. From filing to a signed order usually takes 6–12 weeks.

If the fee is a hardship, ask the clerk about a fee waiver — Court costs vary by county under RSMo 527.280 (e.g., about $185 at the St. Louis Family Court); confirm the exact filing fee with your county circuit clerk. Waivable with an Application to Proceed as a Poor Person / In Forma Pauperis.. Once the judge signs your order, order several certified copies; you'll need one for Social Security, the DMV, and your passport.

For a name change to match your gender identity, Missouri treats it more privately: Publication (three times within 20 days after the order) is generally required, but the court can waive it for a victim of domestic violence or abuse, and you may ask the judge to seal the file if public access would endanger your safety..

After your order: who to notify

The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your Missouri driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.

Who-to-notify guide →Build my checklist →See my timeline →

Missouri name change: FAQ

How much does a name change cost in Missouri?
An adult name change in Missouri costs about $90–$200 (typical $165, varies by county), filed in the Circuit Court (county of residence). Court costs vary by county under RSMo 527.280 (e.g., about $185 at the St. Louis Family Court); confirm the exact filing fee with your county circuit clerk. Waivable with an Application to Proceed as a Poor Person / In Forma Pauperis.. Marriage and divorce name changes have no separate court fee.
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Missouri?
Yes. In Missouri, an adult name-change petition requires publishing a legal notice in a newspaper. After the judge signs the order, you must publish notice of the name change at least three times in a newspaper in your county, within 20 days of the order (RSMo 527.290). Publication is NOT required if you are a victim of domestic violence, child abuse, or abuse by a family or household member.
How long does a name change take in Missouri?
A court name change in Missouri typically takes 6–12 weeks from filing to a signed order. After that, updating Social Security takes about 7–10 business days and a passport 4–6 weeks.
Which court handles name changes in Missouri?
Adult name changes in Missouri are handled by the Circuit Court (county of residence). You file in circuit court in the county where you live.
Can I get the name-change filing fee waived in Missouri?
Yes, if you can't afford it. Court costs vary by county under RSMo 527.280 (e.g., about $185 at the St. Louis Family Court); confirm the exact filing fee with your county circuit clerk. Waivable with an Application to Proceed as a Poor Person / In Forma Pauperis.. Ask your county clerk for the fee-waiver form.
What do I do after my name change is approved in Missouri?
Update Social Security first (free, Form SS-5), then your Missouri driver's license, then your US passport, and finally banks, employer, and insurance. Use our Who-To-Notify Checklist to order every account you hold.

Sources

Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:

See our verification methodology and themaster source list.

Last verified July 16, 2026Reviewed by the Name Change Atlas Editorial Team against official court and .gov sources.

We're re-confirming some fee details for this state against the county court. Always confirm the exact current fee with your court clerk before you file.