Skip to content
Name Change Atlas
All StatesToolsWho to NotifyGuidesCost & Steps Calculator

Minor Child Name Change in Missouri: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Missouri Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Missouri is filed in the Circuit Court (county of residence), costs about $90–$200 (typical $165, varies by county), and requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

Your personalized plan

Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.

Free · no signup

Showing your state. Change the situation below to compare.

Your situation

What it costs

Filing fee
$90–$200 (typical $165, varies by county)

Same county-based circuit court filing fee as an adult petition (RSMo 527.280); confirm the exact amount with your county circuit clerk. Waivable via In Forma Pauperis.

Court
Circuit Court (county of residence)

Circuit Court in the county where you live

Timeline
6–12 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    A parent completes Form CAFC402 (Petition for Change of Name by Parent, For Minor Child), naming the child and the requested new name, and files it with the Circuit Court in the county of residence.

  2. 2

    File the written, notarized consent of each known parent using Form CAFC412 (Consent to Minor Child's Change of Name); a child age 14 or older must also give written, notarized consent.

  3. 3

    If a known parent will not consent, serve that parent with a copy of the petition and a notice of the hearing date at least 30 days before the hearing.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing; the judge decides based on the child's best interest, then signs the Judgment for Change of Name of Minor Child.

  5. 5

    After publication (three times within 20 days, unless waived), get certified copies of the judgment and update the child's Social Security record, school records, and passport.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Change of Name by Parent (For Minor Child)CAFC402Open ↗
Consent to Minor Child's Change of NameCAFC412Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required — Notice of the child's name change must be published three times in a county newspaper within 20 days of the order (RSMo 527.290), unless waived for a victim of domestic violence or child abuse.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in Missouri:
  • • Each known parent must give notarized written consent, or a non-consenting parent must be served with notice at least 30 days before the hearing.
  • • A child who is 14 or older must give written, notarized consent to both the name change and the parent's appointment as next friend.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Missouri license, then your passport and accounts.

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

Minor child name change in nearby states

Indiana →Maryland →Massachusetts →Wisconsin →

Minor Child Name Change in Missouri: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Missouri?
About $90–$200 (typical $165, varies by county), filed in the Circuit Court (county of residence). Same county-based circuit court filing fee as an adult petition (RSMo 527.280); confirm the exact amount with your county circuit clerk. Waivable via In Forma Pauperis..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Missouri?
Yes. Notice of the child's name change must be published three times in a county newspaper within 20 days of the order (RSMo 527.290), unless waived for a victim of domestic violence or child abuse.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Missouri?
Both parents generally must be notified. If the other parent objects or can't be found, the court decides based on the child's best interest. Each known parent must give notarized written consent, or a non-consenting parent must be served with notice at least 30 days before the hearing.
How long does it take in Missouri?
Typically 6–12 weeks from filing to a signed order, then Social Security (7–10 business days), the DMV, and your passport (4–6 weeks).
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Missouri?
Order certified copies, then update Social Security first, the DMV next, then your passport, banks, and employer. Our Who-To-Notify Checklist builds the full ordered list.

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.