How to Legally Change My Name in Missouri
In Missouri, it's easy to change your name due to marriage or divorce. Your marriage license or divorce decree, which will clearly state your previous name and your new name, can act as your legal name change document.
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Instructions
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To change your name for reasons other than marriage or divorce, you must petition your local county in Missouri's circuit court. This petition must state your current name, what you'd like your name to be changed to, and what your reasons are for this change.
The circuit court's judge can then decide to grant this name change or not, taking into account whether the name could be detrimental to the interests of other persons. The court may decide not to grant the name change, for example, if you're changing your name to avoid debts or obligations, or to defraud another person.
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Publicized your new name at least three times in a newspaper published in your county within 20 days of the legal name change. If there is no newspaper in your county or a nearby county, then you must print the name change in a newspaper in St. Louis. You do not have to publicize your new name if you have been a victim of crime, violence or abuse.
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Notify relevant organizations and agencies of your name change. Using your court order, marriage certificate or divorce decree as a way to verify the name change, inform the Missouri DMV, any banks you belong to, employers, credit card companies, utility companies, investment companies, insurance companies, organizations you are a member of, clients, and more. It's important they know your new name.
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