Mississippi Name Change Packet — LSC-Grade Legal Guide

This packet is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, contact a licensed Mississippi attorney or your local legal aid organization.

Quick Facts: Name Change in Mississippi

1. Eligibility Checker — Who Can Change Their Name in Mississippi

You ARE eligible if:

• You are a resident of Mississippi
• You are at least 18 years old (minors need parent/guardian to petition)
• You are not changing your name to defraud creditors or others
• You are not changing your name to avoid criminal prosecution

Special Requirements for Minors

If changing a minor child's name:

• Both parents must typically consent
• If parents disagree, the court applies the best interest of the child standard
• Notice must be given to both parents
• The child may be interviewed by the judge

Restrictions

You may NOT change your name if:

• You are changing it to avoid paying debts
• You are changing it to escape criminal liability
• You are changing it to infringe on someone else's identity
• The court finds the change would be against public interest

2. Required Forms

Petition Requirements (Miss. Code § 93-17-1)

Your petition must include:

1. Your current full legal name
2. The name you want to change to
3. Your reason for wanting the change
4. Statement that you are a Mississippi resident
5. Verification by affidavit (notarized signature)

3. Step-by-Step Filing Instructions

Step 1: Complete Your Petition

1. Draft your petition including all required elements (see sample below)
2. Include your current name, requested new name, and reasons
3. State clearly that you are a Mississippi resident

Step 2: Get Your Petition Notarized

1. Take your unsigned petition to a notary public
2. Bring valid government-issued photo ID
3. Sign the petition in front of the notary

Where to find a notary:

• Banks and credit unions (often free for customers)
• UPS Store or FedEx Office ($5–$15)
• Courthouse (some have notaries available)

Step 3: File with the Chancery Court Clerk

1. Go to the Chancery Court Clerk's office in your county
2. Pay the filing fee ($50–$150)
3. The clerk will stamp your documents and assign a case number

Step 4: Publish Notice

1. The court may order you to publish notice of your name change
2. Publish in a newspaper of general circulation in your county
3. Publication typically runs once a week for 3 consecutive weeks
4. File the Affidavit of Publication with the court

Step 5: Attend Your Hearing

1. Dress appropriately (business casual)
2. Arrive 15–30 minutes early
3. Bring government-issued photo ID
4. Bring Affidavit of Publication (if required)
5. The judge will ask why you want to change your name
6. Answer truthfully and briefly

Step 6: Get Certified Copies of the Decree

1. After the judge signs your Decree, get at least 3 certified copies
2. You will need these to update official records

4. Court Information by County

Hinds County (Jackson)

• Court: Chancery Court of Hinds County
• Address: 407 E. Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS 39201
• Phone: (601) 968-6500
• Filing Fee: Approximately $100
• Fee Waiver: Available

Harrison County (Gulfport)

• Court: Chancery Court of Harrison County
• Address: 1801 23rd Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501
• Phone: (228) 865-4000
• Filing Fee: Approximately $100
• Fee Waiver: Available

DeSoto County (Hernando)

• Court: Chancery Court of DeSoto County
• Address: 2535 Highway 51 South, Hernando, MS 38632
• Phone: (662) 429-1310
• Filing Fee: Approximately $100
• Fee Waiver: Available

Rankin County (Brandon)

• Court: Chancery Court of Rankin County
• Address: 1001 Marquette Road, Brandon, MS 39042
• Phone: (601) 824-1440
• Filing Fee: Approximately $75
• Fee Waiver: Available

Jackson County (Pascagoula)

• Court: Chancery Court of Jackson County
• Address: 2915 Canty Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567
• Phone: (228) 769-3040
• Filing Fee: Approximately $100
• Fee Waiver: Available

Madison County (Canton)

• Court: Chancery Court of Madison County
• Address: 152 Watford Parkway Drive, Canton, MS 39046
• Phone: (601) 859-1300
• Filing Fee: Approximately $100
• Fee Waiver: Available

Lee County (Tupelo)

• Court: Chancery Court of Lee County
• Address: 510 S. Commerce Street, Tupelo, MS 38801
• Phone: (662) 680-6000
• Filing Fee: Approximately $75
• Fee Waiver: Available

Lauderdale County (Meridian)

• Court: Chancery Court of Lauderdale County
• Address: 500 5th Street, Meridian, MS 39301
• Phone: (601) 482-9790
• Filing Fee: Approximately $75
• Fee Waiver: Available

5. Filing Checklist

• [ ] Completed Petition for Change of Name
• [ ] Petition notarized
• [ ] Valid government-issued photo ID
• [ ] Proof of Mississippi residency
• [ ] Filing fee ($50–$150)
• [ ] Fee waiver application (if needed)
• [ ] 3 copies of all documents

After filing:

• [ ] Published notice in newspaper (if required)
• [ ] Filed Affidavit of Publication

6. What to Bring to the Hearing

• [ ] Government-issued photo ID
• [ ] Copy of filed petition
• [ ] Affidavit of Publication (if required)
• [ ] Proof of residency
• [ ] Proposed Final Decree Granting Name Change

7. What Happens After Filing

Timeline

After the Decree

Update Social Security:

1. Complete Form SS-5
2. Bring certified court order and ID
3. Visit Social Security office

Update Mississippi Driver's License:

1. Bring court order and new Social Security card
2. Visit DPS office
3. Fee: $21

8. Local Legal Aid Resources

LSC-Funded Legal Aid in Mississippi

Additional Resources

9. Controlling Statute Citations

• Miss. Code § 93-17-1 — Change of name; petition; decree
• Miss. Code § 93-17-3 — Minor children; consent of parents
• Miss. Code § 93-17-5 — Publication of notice
• Miss. Code § 93-17-7 — Effect of decree

10. Sample Petition Language

`

IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF [COUNTY NAME] COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI

IN RE: CHANGE OF NAME OF

[YOUR CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME]

)

) Cause No.: _______________

)

) PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Petitioner, [Your Current Full Legal Name], respectfully requests that this

Court grant a change of name, and states as follows:

1. Petitioner is a resident of [County Name] County, Mississippi.

1. Petitioner's current full legal name is [Your Current Full Legal Name].

1. Petitioner desires to change their name to [Your New Full Legal Name].

1. The reason for this requested name change is: [Brief explanation]

1. Petitioner is not seeking this name change to defraud creditors or

avoid criminal prosecution.

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court enter a Decree

changing Petitioner's name from [Current Name] to [New Name].

_______________________________

[Your Current Full Legal Name]

Petitioner

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )

) ss.

COUNTY OF _________ )

I, [Your Current Full Legal Name], being duly sworn, depose and say that

the foregoing is true to the best of my knowledge.

_______________________________

Petitioner

Sworn before me this _____ day of _______________, 20___.

_______________________________

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: __________

`

Disclaimer

This packet is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, contact a licensed Mississippi attorney or Mississippi Legal Services at (601) 960-9572.

Last updated: March 2026 | Jurist-Diction | "The law, precisely spoken."

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