Mississippi Name Change Packet — LSC-Grade Legal Guide
Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.
1. Eligibility Checker — Who Can Change Their Name in Mississippi
You ARE eligible if:
Special Requirements for Minors
Restrictions
File at: Mississippi court finder: https://www.mscourts.gov/directory/
2. Required Forms
| Form Name | Purpose | Where to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Petition for Change of Name | Requests the court to change your name | Chancery Court Clerk's office or create your own |
| Verification/Affidavit | Sworn statement that petition is true | Include with petition |
| Notice of Hearing | Announces the court date | Newspaper publication |
| Final Decree Granting Name Change | Court order the judge signs | Submit proposed form |
Petition Requirements (Miss. Code § 93-17-1)
Your petition must include:
- Your current full legal name
- The name you want to change to
- Your reason for wanting the change
- Statement that you are a Mississippi resident
- Verification by affidavit (notarized signature)
3. Step-by-Step Filing Instructions
Step 1: Complete Your Petition
- Draft your petition including all required elements (see sample below)
- Include your current name, requested new name, and reasons
- State clearly that you are a Mississippi resident
Step 2: Get Your Petition Notarized
- Take your unsigned petition to a notary public
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID
- Sign the petition in front of the notary
Step 3: File with the Chancery Court Clerk
- Go to the Chancery Court Clerk's office in your county
- Pay the filing fee ($50–$150)
- The clerk will stamp your documents and assign a case number
Step 4: Publish Notice
- The court may order you to publish notice of your name change
Step 5: Attend Your Hearing
Step 6: Get Certified Copies of the Decree
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
- [ ] Published notice in newspaper (if required)
- [ ] Filed Affidavit of Publication
LEGAL AID
- Mississippi Center for Legal Services: mslegalservices.org · 1-800-498-1804
- North MS Rural Legal Services: nmrls.com · 1-800-498-1804
- MS Volunteer Lawyers Project: msvlp.org · (601) 960-9572
- MS Access to Justice Commission: msajc.org · (601) 359-9250
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:
- Petitioner is a resident of [County Name] County, Mississippi.
- Petitioner's current full legal name is [Your Current Full Legal Name].
- Petitioner desires to change their name to [Your New Full Legal Name].
- The reason for this requested name change is: [Brief explanation]
- 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: __________
`
*Not legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. Templates are jurisdiction-correct.
Verify current law before filing. For legal advice contact a licensed Mississippi attorney or legal aid. jurist-diction.com*