Changing your name in Mississippi requires different steps depending on your situation. Whether you're updating your name after marriage, divorce, court order, or for gender identity reasons, this guide walks you through the complete mississippi name change process for all five types. Mississippi allows name changes through marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or court petitions, with specific requirements for minors and gender marker updates.

Quick Facts: Mississippi Name Change

Requirement	Details
Court Filing Fee	Varies by county — check with your local chancery court
Timeline	4-8 weeks for court orders; immediate for marriage/divorce certificates
Driver's License Fee	$19 replacement fee
Publication Requirement	Yes, for court-ordered name changes
Court Jurisdiction	Chancery Court in your county of residence

Marriage Name Change in Mississippi

A Mississippi name change after marriage is the most straightforward process. Your certified marriage certificate serves as legal proof of your name change — no court petition required.

Step-by-Step Process

First, obtain certified copies of your Mississippi marriage certificate from the county clerk where your marriage license was issued. You'll need multiple copies since most agencies require originals or certified copies, not photocopies. Request at least 3-5 certified copies to avoid multiple trips.

Next, visit your local Social Security Administration office to update your Social Security record. Bring your driver's license, certified marriage certificate, and Social Security card. This update is free and takes 2-4 weeks for your new card to arrive. The SSA must be updated first since other agencies verify your name against their records.

After receiving your new Social Security card, update your Mississippi driver's license at any Department of Public Safety office. Bring your current license, certified marriage certificate, new Social Security card, and $19 for the replacement fee. Your new license arrives by mail in 1-4 weeks.

For federal documents like your passport, use form DS-82 if your current passport was issued within the last 15 years and your marriage occurred within one year of issuance. Otherwise, apply for a new passport using form DS-11 at a passport acceptance facility.

The beauty of marriage-based name changes is immediate legal recognition. Unlike court orders, your marriage certificate provides instant legal authority to update all your documents and accounts.

Divorce Name Change in Mississippi

Mississippi divorce name changes can happen two ways: restoration of your prior name in the divorce decree, or a separate name change petition if you want a completely different name.

Name Restoration in Divorce Decree

The simplest approach is requesting name restoration during your divorce proceedings. Your attorney can include this in your divorce petition or final decree. The court typically grants requests to restore your prior name without additional hearings or fees. Your divorce decree then serves as legal proof of your name change.

If your divorce is already final and didn't include name restoration, you'll need to file a separate petition for name change in chancery court. This follows the same process as any court-ordered name change, including publication requirements and court fees.

Using Your Divorce Decree

Once you have a divorce decree with name restoration, the update process mirrors marriage name changes. Start with Social Security Administration, then proceed to your driver's license, passport, and other documents. The decree must specifically state your name change — general divorce documents without name provisions won't suffice for most agencies.

Some divorced individuals choose completely new names rather than restoration. This requires a separate court petition since divorce decrees only authorize restoration to previous legal names, not adoption of entirely new names.

Court-Ordered Name Change (Adult) in Mississippi

The entire court process typically takes 4-8 weeks from filing to final order. Some counties move faster, especially if your case is uncontested and straightforward. Courts may deny name changes that appear fraudulent, could mislead others, or conflict with public policy.

Minor Name Change in Mississippi

Changing a minor's name in Mississippi requires court approval and involves additional consent requirements to protect the child's interests.

Parental Consent Requirements

Both biological parents must consent to a minor's name change, even if they're divorced or separated. If one parent objects, the court will hold a hearing to determine what's in the child's best interest. The objecting parent must be properly served with notice of the petition.

When one parent is deceased, provide a death certificate with your petition. If a parent's whereabouts are unknown despite reasonable efforts to locate them, the court may allow service by publication in a newspaper.

Filing Process

File the petition in the chancery court where the child resides. Include the child's current name, proposed new name, ages of the child and parents, and reasons for the change. The court may require a guardian ad litem to represent the child's interests, especially in contested cases or when the child is very young.

For children old enough to express preferences (typically 12 or older), the court may consider their wishes regarding the name change. However, the final decision rests with the judge based on the child's best interests.

After obtaining the court order, update the child's Social Security record first, then other documents like school records and insurance policies. Some agencies may require both the court order and parental identification for minor name changes.

Gender Identity / Gender Marker Change in Mississippi

Mississippi recognizes name changes for gender identity through the standard court petition process. Gender marker updates on state documents require additional steps and documentation.

Name Change Process

File a standard adult name change petition in chancery court. You're not required to disclose that your name change relates to gender identity in your petition — "personal reasons" is sufficient. The same publication and hearing requirements apply as any adult name change.

Many transgender individuals find the court process affirming when judges grant their petitions. Mississippi courts generally approve name changes that aren't fraudulent, regardless of the underlying reason.

Gender Marker Updates

Updating gender markers on Mississippi documents involves separate processes for each document type. For driver's licenses, the Department of Public Safety may require medical documentation or court orders — requirements can change, so contact DPS directly for current policies.

Birth certificate amendments in Mississippi require specific medical documentation and follow different procedures than name changes. Contact the Mississippi Department of Health's Vital Records office for current requirements, as these policies are subject to legislative changes.

Federal documents like passports and Social Security records have their own gender marker policies. The Social Security Administration allows self-attestation for gender marker changes in most cases, while passports may require medical certification depending on current federal policies.

Consider working with legal counsel familiar with transgender legal issues, as gender marker changes can be more complex than simple name changes and requirements may vary by document type.

Updating Your Documents After the Court Order

Once you have your name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), update your records in this recommended order:

1. Social Security Administration — Visit in person with form SS-5. Must be done first since other agencies verify against SSA records. Complete SSA name change guide
2. Department of Public Safety (Driver's License) — Bring current license, name change document, new SS card, and $19 fee
3. U.S. Passport — Use form DS-82 (renewal) or DS-11 (new application) depending on your situation. Complete passport name change guide
4. Internal Revenue Service — File form 8822 to update your name and address with the IRS
5. Voter Registration — Update with your county circuit clerk or elections office. Voter registration name change guide
6. U.S. Postal Service — Notify your local post office and set up mail forwarding if needed. USPS name change guide
7. Banks and Credit Unions — Update accounts, debit cards, and checks
8. Employers and HR Departments — Update payroll, benefits, and tax withholding
9. Insurance Companies — Update health, auto, life, and property insurance policies
10. Professional Licenses — Update any state professional licenses or certifications

Mississippi DMV Name Change Process

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety handles driver's license and state ID updates. You must update Social Security first — the DPS verifies your name against SSA records electronically, and mismatches result in application denial.

Required Documents

Bring your current Mississippi driver's license or state ID, original or certified copy of your name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), your new Social Security card, proof of Mississippi residency, and $19 for the replacement fee.

If upgrading to a REAL ID, also bring your birth certificate or passport and two proofs of residency. REAL ID compliance is recommended for domestic air travel starting in 2025.

Process Details

Visit any DPS office during regular hours — appointments aren't required for name changes. Complete the application at the office, present your documents, pay the fee, and take a new photo. You'll receive a temporary paper license immediately, with your permanent card arriving by mail in 1-4 weeks.

For current office locations and hours, visit www.dps.state.ms.us or call 601-987-1212. Processing times may be longer during peak periods like summer months when many people renew licenses.

Last verified: 2026-03-28