Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Mississippi (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Mississippi is $100, which includes a $85 court filing fee, and $15 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $85 · Processing time: ~4 weeks
Estimated costs by reason
Totals include Social Security (free), driver’s license, and adult passport selections—matching the calculator defaults.
| Reason | Estimated total cost | Timeline | Publication required |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Marriage | $170 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $170 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $255 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $305 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $255 | ~10 weeks | Sealed |
Which state are you in?
Why are you changing your name?
Which documents do you need to update?
How to Change Your Name in Mississippi
Mississippi Chancery Court filing fees for name changes run $65-$95 depending on the county - among the most affordable in the South. Mississippi routes name changes through the Chancery Court rather than Circuit Court, which handles equity matters including name changes. After-marriage name changes use the marriage certificate directly with no court petition required.
Mississippi requires publication for court-order name changes: you must publish notice in a county newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks before your petition is heard. Most Mississippi county newspapers charge $50-$100 for this legal notice. This publication requirement does not apply to post-marriage name changes using a marriage certificate.
Mississippi's Chancery Court system is unique to the state and reflects its legal history. The Chancery Court is generally very accessible, and chancery clerks in most counties are helpful in guiding first-time filers through the petition process. Processing times typically run 6-8 weeks including the publication period.
The Mississippi DPS (Department of Public Safety) charges $20 for a replacement Mississippi driver's license with a name change. Visit any Mississippi DPS driver's license station with your court order or marriage certificate, current Mississippi license, and proof of SSA update. Mississippi has driver's license stations in most counties.
Mississippi divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses. Mississippi Chancery Court handles both divorce and name change proceedings, making it easy to include name restoration in your original divorce decree and avoid a separate petition with publication requirements.
Key Mississippi links: Mississippi Courts (courts.ms.gov), Mississippi DPS (dps.ms.gov), Mississippi Center for Legal Services (mscenterforlegalservices.org) for free legal assistance for qualifying residents.
Mississippi name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $85 |
| Certified copies (3 × $5 each) | $15 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $25 |
| Processing time | ~4 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | Indigent — court discretion |
Common reasons in Mississippi
Name Change Guides for Mississippi
FAQ: Mississippi name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Mississippi?
- Court filing fees in Mississippi start around $85 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $5 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Mississippi?
- Many Mississippi court petitions finish in about 4 weeks, but crowded dockets, publication, or fingerprinting can add time. After-marriage updates using a certificate are often faster because they skip the petition.
- Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper in Mississippi?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Mississippi do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Mississippi?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Mississippi if you meet the court’s income guidelines (Indigent — court discretion). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Mississippi?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Mississippi residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Mississippi?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Mississippi marriage certificate, you typically update Social Security first, then your driver’s license, then banks and payroll. Hyphenated or new invented names may still require a court petition—check local court rules.
Voter Registration After Your Name Change
After legally changing your name in Mississippi, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. In Mississippi, voter registration updates are commonly handled by mail or in person with your county or municipal election office—confirm the fastest option for your address. If your registration still shows an old name close to an election, you may face additional checks at the polling place. See the full 50-state voter registration guide for deadlines, typical documents, and official Vote.gov links.
Related: SAVE Act & name change overview