How to Change Your Name in Mississippi — Complete 2026 Guide
Marriage, divorce, chancery court, minor, gender — every Mississippi name change path in one place.
Changing your name in Mississippi means picking the right path — marriage certificate, divorce decree with restoration, or a Petition for Change of Name filed at the Chancery Court in your county of residence. We fill out every government form for you, free, and walk you through what to file in what order. Marriage and divorce name changes are immediate; court-ordered changes run 4–8 weeks including a 7-day newspaper publication, then $19 at Mississippi DPS for your new license.
Quick Facts: Mississippi Name Change
The numbers you'll come back to. Filing fees vary by county; certified copies cost extra at every step.
| Court Filing Fee | $150–$450 (varies by county) |
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| Newspaper Publication | $40–$200 (7 days, court-ordered changes only) |
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| Certified Copies | ~$10–$25 each (order 3–5) |
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| DMV Driver's License Fee | $19 (no separate form — applied at DPS) |
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| Court-Ordered Timeline | 4–8 weeks from filing to final order |
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| Marriage/Divorce Timeline | Immediate with certificate or decree |
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| Court Jurisdiction | Chancery Court in your county of residence |
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| Publication Required? | Yes for court-ordered (7 days) |
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Mississippi-Specific Details
Mississippi is one of just a handful of states that routes adult name change petitions through the Chancery Court (a court of equity inherited from English common-law tradition), joining Tennessee in this distinctive judicial structure. You'll file in the Chancery Court of your county of residence. Major filing locations include the Hinds County Chancery Court in Jackson, the Harrison County Chancery Court in Gulfport, and the Madison County Chancery Court. Filing fees range $150–$450 depending on the county.
Mississippi has one of the shortest publication periods in the country: notice in a county-approved newspaper for just seven days before the chancellor will hear the petition. That said, Mississippi chancellors are also among the most strict in requiring petitioners to demonstrate "good cause" for the name change — straightforward reasons (marriage, divorce, gender transition, simplification, family unity) are accepted, but novel or vague justifications may invite questioning. The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson and local weeklies handle most publications, with publication costs running $40–$200. Mississippi's Department of Public Safety does not currently allow self-attestation for gender marker changes or offer a nonbinary "X" option on licenses.
For your license update, Mississippi DPS charges $19 and does not require an appointment at most driver service centers — walk-ins are accepted. The Jackson Pearl center and the Gulfport center see the heaviest volume; offices in Hattiesburg and Tupelo process updates faster. Bring your certified court order, current license, and updated Social Security card. Your new license arrives by mail in 1–4 weeks. Estimate your total at our cost calculator.
Pick Your Mississippi Name Change Path
Each path has its own paperwork, court involvement, and timeline. Tap a card to see how it works in Mississippi, then jump to the full guide.
Marriage Name Change in Mississippi
In Mississippi, your certified marriage certificate is your legal name change document — no chancery court petition, no publication, no extra filing fees beyond certified copies.
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.
Full marriage name change guide →
Divorce Name Change in Mississippi
Mississippi offers two paths: name restoration written into your divorce decree (free, easy), or a separate chancery court petition after the divorce is final.
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.
Full divorce name change guide →
Court-Ordered Name Change in Mississippi (Adult)
For any name change that's not through marriage or divorce. File a Petition for Change of Name at your county Chancery Court — $150–$450 filing fee plus a 7-day newspaper publication. 4–8 weeks total.
Adult court-ordered name changes in Mississippi require filing a petition in your county's chancery court. This process applies when changing to a name you've never legally held, or when marriage and divorce don't apply to your situation.
Filing Requirements
File a "Petition for Change of Name" in the chancery court of your county of residence. While Mississippi doesn't have standardized statewide forms, most counties provide templates. Your petition must include your current legal name, desired new name, reason for the change, and declaration that the change isn't for fraudulent purposes.
Pay the court's filing fee, which varies by county. The court clerk can provide current fee schedules. Mississippi law requires publishing notice of your name change petition in a local newspaper for a specified period, typically once per week for three consecutive weeks. This publication requirement allows interested parties to object to your name change.
After the publication period expires, attend your scheduled court hearing. The judge will review your petition and may ask about your reasons for the name change. Bring identification and any supporting documents. If no objections were filed during the publication period and your reasons are legitimate, the court typically grants the petition.
After the judge signs your name change order, request multiple certified copies from the court clerk. These certified copies serve as legal proof of your name change for updating all your documents and records.
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.
Full court-order name change guide →
Minor Name Change in Mississippi
Mississippi requires chancery court approval for any minor name change. Both biological parents must consent, and the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child's interests.
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.
Full minor name change guide →
Gender Identity Name Change in Mississippi
Mississippi recognizes gender-identity name changes through the standard chancery court petition. The Department of Public Safety does not currently allow self-attestation for gender marker changes or offer a nonbinary "X" option.
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.
Full gender identity guide →
Updating Your Documents After Your Mississippi Name Change
Work through these in order — federal first, then state, then private. Your Social Security card unlocks every other update.
- Social Security Administration. Update your card first — every other agency verifies against SSA records.
- Mississippi DPS (Driver's License). Update your driver's license with your current license, name change document, new SS card, and $19 fee.
- U.S. Passport. Change your passport name using DS-82, DS-11, or DS-5504 depending on your situation.
- IRS. File Form 8822 to notify the IRS, though they'll auto-update when you file your next tax return.
Show 6 more agencies + accounts to update
- Voter Registration. Update with your county circuit clerk or elections office.
- U.S. Postal Service. Update with USPS and set up mail forwarding if needed.
- Banks & Credit Unions. Contact every financial institution to update account names and order new cards.
- Employer / HR. Update employment records, payroll, and benefits.
- Insurance. Health, auto, renters/homeowners, and life policies.
- Professional Licenses. Mississippi licensing boards for medical, legal, real estate, and other licensed professions.
Mississippi DPS Name Change Requirements
In-person visit required. Update Social Security first, then wait 24-48 hours so DPS can verify your new name against SSA records electronically — mismatches result in application denial.
What to bring:
- Your current Mississippi driver's license or state ID card.
- Original or certified copy of your name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
- Your Social Security card with your new name.
- Proof of Mississippi residency (utility bill, bank statement, lease, etc.).
- $19 replacement license fee — cash, check, money order, or debit/credit card.
The DPS process: Visit any DPS office during regular hours — appointments aren't required for name changes; walk-ins are accepted at most locations. Complete the application at the office (no separate downloadable form). 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.
REAL ID upgrade: Recommended for domestic air travel. Bring your birth certificate or passport plus two proofs of Mississippi residency in addition to the documents above.
Gender marker changes: Mississippi DPS may require a court order or amended birth certificate — self-attestation is not currently accepted, and no nonbinary "X" option is offered. Contact your local DPS office for current requirements.
DPS contact: dps.state.ms.us · 601-987-1212 · Hours vary by location — check the website before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a name change cost in Mississippi?
Mississippi name change costs vary by method. Marriage and divorce name changes only require certified copies of your documents (typically $10-25 each). Court-ordered name changes involve filing fees that vary by county, plus newspaper publication costs (usually $50-150 total). Driver's license updates cost $19 regardless of the name change method.
How long does a name change take in Mississippi?
Marriage and divorce name changes are immediate once you have certified documents. Court-ordered name changes take 4-8 weeks from filing to final order, including the required publication period. After obtaining your name change document, allow 2-4 weeks for Social Security updates and 1-4 weeks for your new driver's license to arrive by mail.
Do I need a lawyer to change my name in Mississippi?
No lawyer is required for Mississippi name changes. Marriage and divorce name changes use existing certified documents. Court-ordered name changes involve filing a petition with the chancery court, which most people can handle without legal representation. However, complex cases or contested name changes may benefit from legal counsel.
Can I change my name without a court order in Mississippi?
Yes, if you're changing your name due to marriage or divorce. Marriage certificates and divorce decrees with name restoration provide legal authority for name changes without additional court proceedings. For all other name changes, including gender identity or completely new names, a court order is required.
Where do I file for a name change in Mississippi?
File name change petitions in the chancery court of the county where you reside. Each county has its own chancery court with specific filing procedures and fees. Contact your county's chancery clerk for petition forms, current fees, and filing requirements.
What documents do I need for a Mississippi name change?
For marriage name changes: certified marriage certificate. For divorce: divorce decree with name restoration clause. For court orders: completed petition, filing fee payment, and publication in local newspaper. All agencies require original documents or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted for official name change purposes.
Can I change my child's name in Mississippi?
Yes, but minor name changes require court approval and consent from both biological parents. File a petition in chancery court where the child resides. If one parent objects or cannot be located, the court will hold a hearing to determine what's in the child's best interest. Guardian ad litem appointment may be required.
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