Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Missouri (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Missouri is $172, which includes a $163 court filing fee, and $9 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $163 · 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 | $159 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $159 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $322 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $372 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $322 | ~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 Missouri
Missouri Circuit Court filing fees for name changes run $130-$175 depending on the county. Jackson County (Kansas City) and St. Louis City run approximately $165. After-marriage name changes in Missouri use your marriage certificate directly - no court petition required - which is the simplest and cheapest path for most people.
Missouri requires publication for court-order name changes: you must publish notice in a local newspaper once a week for four consecutive weeks. Most Missouri county legal newspapers charge $50-$120 for this publication requirement. This does not apply to post-marriage name changes using a marriage certificate or to divorce name restorations included in a decree.
Missouri has a notable provision in its name change law: the court must find that the name change is not for a fraudulent purpose and will not endanger any person. Missouri courts also review criminal history as part of the standard process. Name changes for registered sex offenders require additional review and may be denied.
The Missouri DMV (Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle) charges $20 for a corrected Missouri driver's license with a name change. Visit any Missouri license office with your court order or marriage certificate, current Missouri license, and proof of SSA update. Missouri has license offices throughout the state, often co-located with other state services.
Missouri divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses - strongly recommended given Missouri's four-week publication requirement for separate petitions. Missouri circuit courts routinely grant name restoration requests included in divorce proceedings.
Key Missouri links: Missouri Courts (courts.mo.gov), Missouri DMV (dor.mo.gov/driver-license), Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (lsem.org) and Legal Aid of Western Missouri (lawmo.org) for free assistance.
Missouri name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $163 |
| Certified copies (3 × $3 each) | $9 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $20 |
| Processing time | ~4 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 125% federal poverty level |
Common reasons in Missouri
Name Change Guides for Missouri
FAQ: Missouri name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Missouri?
- Court filing fees in Missouri start around $163 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $3 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Missouri?
- Many Missouri 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 Missouri?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Missouri do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Missouri?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Missouri if you meet the court’s income guidelines (At or below 125% federal poverty level). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Missouri?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Missouri residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Missouri?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Missouri 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 Missouri, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Missouri offers online voter registration paths for many voters, though some counties still require mail or an in-person visit for certain updates. 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