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

Verified against Mississippi Chancery Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Mississippi is filed in the Mississippi Chancery Court, costs about $140–$160 (typical $150, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 3–8 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

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What it costs

Filing fee
$140–$160 (typical $150, varies by county)

Same chancery court fee as an adult petition (e.g., $148 in Jackson County); confirm with your county chancery clerk

Court
Mississippi Chancery Court

Chancery Court in the county where you live

Timeline
3–8 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    A parent or guardian files a sworn Petition for Change of Name for the minor under Miss. Code Ann. § 93-17-1 in the chancery court of the county where the child lives.

  2. 2

    Both parents should provide notarized consent, or be given notice, unless one parent has sole legal custody or a parent's rights have been terminated.

  3. 3

    The chancellor may grant a minor's name change only where it is clearly in the best interest of the child, applying a strict maturity and best-interest review.

  4. 4

    Obtain the signed decree 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
Mississippi chancery court information (file with the chancery clerk)—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required — No statewide newspaper-publication requirement; notice to a non-consenting parent is the key requirement, and local chancery practice may vary.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in Mississippi:
  • • Because Mississippi treats the name-change age of majority as 21, anyone under 21 is handled as a minor, and the Mississippi Supreme Court has upheld denials even with both parents' consent (In re S.M.-B., 2025).
  • • Both parents generally must consent or be given notice; the chancellor decides on the child's best interest.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Minor child name change in nearby states

Arkansas →Kansas →Nevada →New Mexico →

Minor Child Name Change in Mississippi: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Mississippi?
About $140–$160 (typical $150, varies by county), filed in the Mississippi Chancery Court. Same chancery court fee as an adult petition (e.g., $148 in Jackson County); confirm with your county chancery clerk.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Mississippi?
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. Because Mississippi treats the name-change age of majority as 21, anyone under 21 is handled as a minor, and the Mississippi Supreme Court has upheld denials even with both parents' consent (In re S.M.-B., 2025).
How long does it take in Mississippi?
Typically 3–8 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 Mississippi?
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.