Changing your name back in Mississippi

This page covers what we could confirm from official sources about changing your name after a divorce in Mississippi, and it says plainly where we could not confirm something.

Quick reference

  • Court for a separate name-change case: the chancery court of the county where you live (Miss. Code § 93-17-1).
  • Restoring a former name inside the divorce decree: not established. We could not find a Mississippi statute on it.
  • Newspaper publication for an adult name change: not established.
  • Filing fee: varies by county; the Mississippi Judiciary’s guide says it “should be less than $100.00.”
  • Driver license: the Driver Service Bureau lists a divorce decree among the documents it accepts for a name change.
  • Social Security card: free to apply for.

1. Restoring your name in the divorce

We looked at the sections on divorce judgments in Chapter 5 of Title 93 of the Mississippi Code. Section 93-5-25 (“Effect of judgment of divorce”) and § 93-5-27 (“Marital rights cease with judgment of divorce”) do not mention a name or a former name. We did not find a Mississippi statute that tells a court to restore a former name in the decree, and we have not read any court rule or case on the point.

So we are not saying whether a Mississippi chancellor will include a name restoration in a divorce decree. If you want your former name back, ask your own lawyer or the chancery clerk whether it can be requested in your divorce case.

2. The separate name-change petition

Mississippi Code § 93-17-1(1) gives the chancery court “of the county of the residence of the petitioners” jurisdiction “upon the petition of any person to alter the names of such person.”

The Mississippi Judiciary’s guide, “How to File Your Adult Name Change Case in Mississippi,” describes the steps for an adult:

  • You file with the Chancery Clerk’s Office in the county where you live.
  • You file a Civil Coversheet and a Petition to Change Name, and you prepare an Order to Change Name for the judge.
  • You must sign the petition in front of a notary public.
  • You ask the clerk for a hearing date. Hearings cannot be held on weekends or legal holidays.
  • Until the judge signs the order, you keep using your current name.
  • After the order is signed, the guide says to ask the clerk for at least two copies.

The filing fee depends on the county. The guide says to call the clerk first and that the fee “should be less than $100.00.” The guide is undated, so confirm the current amount with your clerk.

The guide does not mention publishing notice in a newspaper, and we did not find a statute on it. Ask your chancery clerk whether any notice is required in your county.

3. Updating Social Security

The Social Security Administration says you change your name on its record by requesting a replacement card, after you legally change your name. Depending on your situation you may be able to request the change online. If not, you need an appointment at a local office. The card then arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days.

The Social Security card application page says applying for a card is free, and that a name-change document must identify you by both your old and new names. Because the pages do not give one complete list of accepted documents, check the current rules with SSA or call 1-800-772-1213 before you go.

4. Updating your Mississippi driver license

The Mississippi Driver Service Bureau says it will only accept a short list of legal documents for a name change on a license or ID. The list is: marriage license, divorce decree, adoption order, and court order. The page does not state a fee. See the bureau’s Driver Service Fees page for costs.

5. Updating your passport

The State Department says that if your name changed less than one year after your passport was issued, you use Form DS-5504. If it was more than one year, you use Form DS-82, the renewal application. The page we read does not list the supporting documents or fees, so check the State Department’s “Change or Correct a Passport” page and the form instructions for what to send.

6. Getting a copy of your decree

The Mississippi State Department of Health says it provides a 5-year search of county divorce indexes and directs you to the chancery clerk. For a certified copy of your decree, ask the chancery clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.

What we could not confirm

  • Whether a Mississippi court can restore a former name in the divorce decree.
  • Whether publication or notice is required for an adult name-change petition.
  • Any statewide fee schedule for the petition.
  • The passport supporting-document list and fees.

Sources

Sources last checked: 3 November 2026. The Cusp is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Fees and rules change, so confirm with your chancery clerk before you file. Spot something out of date? See our corrections page or email hello@thecusp.app.