Adult Name Change in Missouri: Steps, Cost & Forms

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

Quick answer

An adult 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.

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What it costs

Filing fee

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

Court costs vary by county under RSMo 527.280 (e.g., about $185 at the St. Louis Family Court); confirm the exact filing fee with your county circuit clerk. Waivable with an Application to Proceed as a Poor Person / 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
Complete Form CAFC401 (Petition for Change of Name, For Adult Individual), stating your full current name, the new name desired, and a concise reason for the change (RSMo 527.270).
2
Sign the petition under oath before a notary (it must be verified), then file it with the Circuit Court in the county where you live and pay the filing fee, or file an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis to ask the court to waive it.
3
Attend the hearing if the court schedules one; the judge must be satisfied the change is proper and not detrimental to any other person or done to defraud creditors.
4
After the judge signs the Judgment for Change of Name, publish notice at least three times in a county newspaper within 20 days, unless the court waived publication for safety (RSMo 527.290).
5
Order certified copies of the signed judgment from the circuit clerk and use them to update Social Security (Form SS-5), your Missouri driver license, your US passport, and your accounts.

Official forms

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

Form	Code	Official link
Petition for Change of Name (For Adult Individual)	CAFC401	Open ↗
Application for a Social Security Card	SS-5	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Required — After the judge signs the order, you must publish notice of the name change at least three times in a newspaper in your county, within 20 days of the order (RSMo 527.290). Publication is NOT required if you are a victim of domestic violence, child abuse, or abuse by a family or household member.

Background check: No background check

Good to know in Missouri:

• Missouri circuit court filing fees vary widely by county, so confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk before filing.
• Unlike many states, Missouri requires publication AFTER the judge signs the order (three times within 20 days), not before the hearing.

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 →

Adult petition name change in nearby states

Indiana →Maryland →Massachusetts →Wisconsin →

Adult (Court) Name Change in Missouri: FAQ

How much does a adult (court) name change cost in Missouri?

About $90–$200 (typical $165, varies by county), filed in the Circuit Court (county of residence). Court costs vary by county under RSMo 527.280 (e.g., about $185 at the St. Louis Family Court); confirm the exact filing fee with your county circuit clerk. Waivable with an Application to Proceed as a Poor Person / In Forma Pauperis..

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Missouri?

Yes. After the judge signs the order, you must publish notice of the name change at least three times in a newspaper in your county, within 20 days of the order (RSMo 527.290). Publication is NOT required if you are a victim of domestic violence, child abuse, or abuse by a family or household member.

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.