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Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Missouri: Steps, Cost & Forms

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

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity 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 unless it's waived. 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)

Missouri has no separate gender-identity name statute — it uses the standard adult Petition for Change of Name (CAFC401), with county-based filing fees; confirm with your county circuit clerk.

Court
Circuit Court (county of residence)

Circuit Court in the county where you live

Timeline
6–12 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    File Form CAFC401 (Petition for Change of Name, For Adult Individual) with the Circuit Court in your county — Missouri uses the same adult petition for a name change to affirm gender identity.

  2. 2

    If safety is a concern, ask the court in writing to waive newspaper publication (available to victims of domestic violence or abuse) and to seal the case file; be ready to show the judge why public access could harm you.

  3. 3

    Attend the hearing if scheduled and obtain the signed Judgment for Change of Name; complete any required publication unless it was waived.

  4. 4

    Use certified copies of the judgment to update Social Security (Form SS-5), your Missouri driver license gender/name, your US passport, and (with a court order) an amended birth certificate.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Change of Name (For Adult Individual)CAFC401Open ↗
Application for a Social Security CardSS-5Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required (waivable) — Publication (three times within 20 days after the order) is generally required, but the court can waive it for a victim of domestic violence or abuse, and you may ask the judge to seal the file if public access would endanger your safety.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in Missouri:
  • • Missouri does not offer an automatic publication waiver or confidential name-change track for gender identity — sealing and any publication waiver are at the judge's discretion, so document safety concerns.
  • • Changing the gender marker on a Missouri birth certificate or driver license has separate requirements (a court order or physician documentation) beyond the name change itself.

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 →

Gender identity name change in nearby states

Indiana →Maryland →Massachusetts →Wisconsin →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Missouri: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Missouri?
About $90–$200 (typical $165, varies by county), filed in the Circuit Court (county of residence). Missouri has no separate gender-identity name statute — it uses the standard adult Petition for Change of Name (CAFC401), with county-based filing fees; confirm with your county circuit clerk..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Missouri?
Usually, but it can be waived. Publication (three times within 20 days after the order) is generally required, but the court can waive it for a victim of domestic violence or abuse, and you may ask the judge to seal the file if public access would endanger your safety.
Is a gender-identity name change private in Missouri?
Publication (three times within 20 days after the order) is generally required, but the court can waive it for a victim of domestic violence or abuse, and you may ask the judge to seal the file if public access would endanger your safety.
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.