Missouri Name Change Petition
In Missouri an adult files a verified name change petition in the circuit court of the county where they live, and after the order publishes notice three times within twenty days. Attorney review available.
Introduction
A name change petition is the court document an adult files to legally change their own name, and once the court makes the order that new name becomes your legal name. In Missouri you file a verified petition in the circuit court in the county where you reside (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.270). The court orders the change when it is satisfied the change would be proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person. Missouri differs from many states in that newspaper publication comes after the order, not before a hearing: once the court makes the order, public notice of the change must be given at least three times in a newspaper published in the county where you reside, within twenty days after the order is made (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.290). Publication is waived if you are a victim of an act of domestic violence as defined in Section 455.010, a victim of child abuse as defined in Section 210.110, or a victim of domestic violence by a family or household member, and in those cases the judiciary public case system does not post the name change. A person required to register under Sections 589.400 to 589.425 may not change names during the registration period. After the order, you use certified copies to update Social Security, your Missouri driver license, and other records. DocDraft builds your Missouri name change petition from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
0/5000
Key Things to Know
- 1
A name change petition is the court document an adult files to legally change their own name; when the circuit court makes the order, that new name becomes your legal name.
- 2
You file a verified petition in the circuit court in the county where you reside, stating your full name, the new name desired, and a concise reason for the change (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.270).
- 3
The court orders the change when it is satisfied the change would be proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.270).
- 4
Missouri publishes after the order: public notice of the change must be given at least three times in a newspaper published in the county where you reside, within twenty days after the order is made (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.290).
- 5
Publication is waived if you are a victim of an act of domestic violence under Section 455.010, a victim of child abuse under Section 210.110, or a victim of domestic violence by a family or household member; in those cases the judiciary public case system does not post the name change (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.290).
- 6
A person required to register under the Missouri sex offender registry (Sections 589.400 to 589.425) may not change names during the period they must remain registered (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.270).
- 7
After the order is made and publication is complete, order certified copies from the circuit clerk to update Social Security, your Missouri driver license or ID, your passport, and other records. The filing fee is set by the court and a fee waiver is available if you cannot afford it.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a Name Change Petition in Missouri, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Name Change Petition guide walks through them.
Open the Name Change Petition guideCustomize your Name Change Petition Template with DocDraft
Missouri Requirements for Name Change Petition
Circuit Court in Your County of Residence
An adult name change in Missouri is filed in the circuit court in the county of the petitioner's residence. Every person desiring to change their name presents a verified petition to that effect to the circuit court in the county of the petitioner's residence (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.270).
Residency and Venue
You file in the circuit court in the county where you reside, so you must live in the county where the verified petition is presented (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.270). Missouri sets no fixed durational residency period by statute; the requirement is county of residence, not a minimum number of months.
Newspaper Publication After the Order
In Missouri publication follows the order. Public notice of the change of name must be given at least three times in a newspaper published in the county where the person resides, within twenty days after the order of court is made (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.290). If no newspaper is published in the county, notice runs in a newspaper published in the City of St. Louis or at the seat of government.
Present Name and Proposed New Name
The verified petition must set forth the petitioner's full name, the new name desired, and a concise statement of the reason for the change (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.270). State your present legal name and the exact new name you are requesting so the court can name both in its order.
Concise Statement of the Reason
The petition must include a concise statement of the reason for the desired change (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.270). The court makes the order when it is satisfied the change would be proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person.
Proper, Not Detrimental, and No Sex Offender Bar
Show the change is made in good faith, is proper, and is not detrimental to the interests of any other person, and is not sought to defraud a creditor or evade a legal obligation, judgment, or criminal record (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.270). A person required to register under the sex offender registry (Sections 589.400 to 589.425) may not change names during the registration period.
Court Order on the Verified Petition
The circuit court orders the change when it is satisfied the change would be proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.270). The statute does not set a pre-hearing publication scheme; publication follows the order, so confirm with the circuit clerk whether a brief appearance is expected before the judge signs.
Certified Copies and the Safety Waiver
After the order and publication, order certified copies from the circuit clerk to update Social Security, your Missouri driver license or ID, your passport, and other records. Publication is waived, and the judiciary public case system will not post the name change, for a victim of domestic violence (Section 455.010), child abuse (Section 210.110), or domestic violence by a family or household member (Missouri Revised Statutes Section 527.290). The filing fee is set by the court and a fee waiver is available.