How to Change Your Name After Divorce in Mississippi

Two Paths to a Post-Divorce Name Change

How you change your name in Mississippi after divorce depends on whether the judge included a name-restoration provision in the final decree.

Path 1: Decree-based restoration. If your divorce decree already contains a clause restoring your former surname, you don't need a separate court filing. The decree itself is your legal authority. Take certified copies to each agency in the sequence below.

Path 2: Separate Petition for Change of Name. If the decree is silent on name restoration — or you want to adopt an entirely different name — you'll need to file a separate petition in the Chancery Court of the county where you reside.

The Separate Petition Process

Filing a standalone name-change petition in Mississippi requires:

1. Complete and notarize the petition. Draft a Petition for Change of Name stating your current legal name, the name you want, and the reason for the change. Sign it before a notary before filing. Some counties provide standardized forms through the Mississippi Access to Justice Commission (msatjc.org).

2. Attach required documents. Include a Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form AOC/01), a certified copy of your birth certificate, and a certified copy of your divorce decree.

3. File and pay. Submit the petition to the Chancery Clerk in your county of residence. Filing fees range from $148 to $165 depending on the county — Mississippi has no uniform statewide fee schedule, so each county sets its own assessments.

4. Attend the hearing (if required). Some Mississippi counties require a brief hearing before the chancellor; others approve uncontested name changes on paper review. Your local Chancery Clerk can tell you which process applies.

5. Obtain the signed order. Once approved, request certified copies of the court order granting the name change. This becomes the document you carry to every agency.

The Agency Sequence

Whether you used the decree or a separate court order, the update sequence is the same — and the order matters:

Social Security Administration → Mississippi DPS → everything else.

SSA must update first because the DPS cross-references your name against the Social Security database. If the names don't match, the DPS rejects your license application.

At SSA, submit Form SS-5 with your certified decree (or court order) and a government-issued photo ID. No fee. Processing takes 24–48 hours for the database update.

At the Mississippi DPS Driver Service Bureau, visit in person with your certified decree, new Social Security card, original birth certificate, and two separate residency documents (utility bills, bank statements — no P.O. boxes). Standard duplicate/renewal fee applies.

After that: passport (Form DS-5504 or DS-82 depending on expiration), voter registration, bank accounts, credit cards, employer HR, insurance policies, and utility accounts.

Don't Forget the Notary Commission

If you hold a Mississippi notary public commission, you must notify the Secretary of State's office of your name change using SOS Form NP 005. This is a requirement — notarizing documents under your old name after a legal name change creates validity issues.

The Mississippi After-Divorce Checklist walks through the full name-change sequence step by step, including which documents to bring to each agency and the current fee schedule for each county office.

See more Mississippi guides →