Legally Changing Your Name & Gender in Missouri
The process of legally changing your name and gender can be quite complicated. Thankfully, many other trans and non-binary people in mid-Missouri have gone through this process and we have pulled together this resource to help guide the way. For a more detailed explanation of the overall process and the required forms and documentation, please check out our Digital Reference Guide below.
If you need additional information about the process for Name & Gender changes for minors, please email us at info@thecenterproject.org.
Disclaimer:
We are not lawyers and these materials have not been reviewed by any legal professionals. This is not legal advice and using this resource in no way constitutes a legal relationship with TCP or our volunteers.
Name Change Court Order
One of the first steps in legally changing your name & gender is securing your Certified Court Order for Name Change. This document will be required for updating your name on all of your other legal documents.
An important decision to make is whether to hire a lawyer or represent yourself. If you hire a lawyer, they will help you navigate the Court Order process. It is also 100% possible for you to do this without legal representation.
Required documentation:
- Confidential Case Filing Sheet (FI-05 / FI-10)
- Certificate of Completion, Litigant Awareness Program
- Petition & Judgment for Name Change (CAFC401 & CAFC470)
- Request for Publication After Judgment of Name Change (CAFC480)
You may also need:
Name Change Court Orders are filed with the 13th Circuit Family Court, at the Boone County Circuit Clerk’s Office, located on the first floor of the Boone County Courthouse at 705 E. Walnut Street.
The typical process:
- File your petition with the Circuit Clerk.
- Once you have a Case Number, you can follow updates at Missouri CaseNet.
- Attend your Court Date and receive your judgment.
- The Court will publish your judgment for 3 consecutive weeks in the paper of your choice.
- Your Certified Court Order will be mailed to you.
Fees: The cost to file a petition in Family Court is $185. These may be waived by submitting an Application for In Forma Pauperis (GN10). If not waived, fees must be paid at the time of filing.
Gender Marker Change Court Order
Missouri does not have existing forms for changing your gender marker, so you must create your own petition to the Court. The process is elsewise very similar to the name change process.
Many places do not require a Court Order to change your gender marker, so you may decide you do not need to file for this. However, one significant place that does require a Court Order is changing your Birth Certificate.
Required documentation:
- Confidential Case Filing Sheet (FI-05 / FI-10)
- Certificate of Completion, Litigant Awareness Program
- Petition & Judgment for Change of Gender Marker (self-created)
- Request for Publication After Judgment of Change of Gender Marker (self-created)
- Proof of Name Change (Name Change Court Order)
- Proof of Sex Change (Notarized Letter from Medical Provider)
- Letters to the Judge
- Requesting Waiver of Public Hearing, Sealing of Case Files, or Waiver of Publication
- Requesting Testimony
You may also need:
Gender Marker Change Court Orders are filed with the 13th Circuit Civil Court, at the Boone County Circuit Clerk’s Office, located on the first floor of the Boone County Courthouse at 705 E. Walnut Street.
The typical process:
- Gather documentation for Name Change & Sex Change.
- Draft your self-created petition materials.
- File your petition with the Circuit Clerk.
- Once you have been given a Case Number and Court Date, you must return to the Circuit Clerk’s Office and file a Letter Requesting Testimony.
- Attend your Court Date and receive your judgment.
- The Court will publish your judgment for 3 consecutive weeks in the paper of your choice.
- Your Certified Court Order will be mailed to you.
Fees: The cost to file a petition in Civil Court is $100. These may be waived by submitting an Application for In Forma Pauperis (GN10). If not waived, fees must be paid at the time of filing.
Missouri Driver / Non-Driver License
Your supporting documentation does not need to be in your legal name yet, but it must be in either your former or legally changed name reflected on your Name Change Court Order.
Beginning in 2025, a REAL-ID will be required to board domestic flights, so you may want to consider applying for this type of license.
To change your NAME, you will need proof of:
- identity & lawful status
- social security number
- Missouri residency
- name change (Certified Court Order)
To change your GENDER, you will also need:
- DOR Gender Designation Request Form (5532)
- This must be signed by a medical or social service provider.
- You may also be able to use a US Passport with the correct gender, an amended US birth certificate, or your Gender Change Court Order.
Driver / Non-Driver licenses are processed in person at your local DMV (in Columbia: 403 Vandiver Drive B / 1101 Grindstone Parkway #101).
You will have to apply for a New License and pay a fee or Duplicate License. You will likely need to capture a new signature and photo.
Fees: Depending on your age and type of license, the cost can range from $11-32.
Missouri Birth Certificate
Birth certificates are amended in the state they were issued, so if you were born in Missouri, you must amend your birth certificate through DHHS in Missouri. Your Court Orders can be issued from another state.
To change your NAME, you will need:
- Cover Letter
- Certified Copy of Name Change Court Order
- Notarized Request for Copies (MO 580-0641)
- Check / Money Order Payment of Fees
- Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope
To change your GENDER, you will also need:
- Certified Copy of Gender Marker Change Court Order
Birth Certificate amendments are processed at the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHHS) Bureau of Vital Records, located at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Although they have a physical office, you will need to communicate by phone (573-751-6387, opt 2) and mail in your packet of materials.
Fees: The amendment processing fee is $15 and each copy of your amended Birth Certificate is $15 more. Example: amendment + 2 copies = $45. Made to Missouri Bureau of Vital Records.
Social Security Administration
Your social security card only reflects your name, not a gender marker. There may be reasons you do or do not want to change your gender with the SSA, like if it impacts your healthcare coverage or could lead to you being outed at work.
Learn more about these considerations at the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Social Security cards are processed in person at the Social Security Office at 3402 Buttonwood Drive, Suite 101 in Columbia.
To change your NAME you will need:
- proof of identity
- proof of citizenship
- proof of legal name change (Name Change Court Order)
- Application for Social Security Card (SS-5)
To change your GENDER, you simply need to mark the appropriate box on your application. No proof or documentation is required.
Fees: It is FREE to request a new Social Security Card.
US Passport
It is much easier to get a passport than you might expect!
Even if you don’t plan to leave the US, we recommend getting a passport. It is an accepted form of ID almost anywhere and doesn’t require proof or a Court Order to document your gender correctly.
It can take 3-4 months to get your passport after you have applied.
The process for updating, renewing, or applying for a new passport will depend on your individual situation. Regardless, to change your NAME you will be required to submit an original, certified copy of your Name Change Court Order. To change your GENDER, you can simply select the correct gender on your application; no proof or documentation is required.
If you are eligible to RENEW BY MAIL, you must submit:
- Form DS-82
- Your most recent passport
- Certified Name Change Order
- One color passport photo
- Check / Money Order Payment of Fees
- Mail to: National Passport Processing Center, PO Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
If you are applying for a new passport or cannot renew by mail, you must APPLY IN PERSON and submit:
- Form DS-11
- Evidence of US Citizenship (w/ photocopy)
- Valid ID (w/ photocopy)
- Certified Name Change Order
- One color passport photo
- Fees
In person applications can be submitted at the Columbia Public Library (100 W. Broadway) or the Downtown Post Office (511 E. Walnut St).
Fees: Depending on your age, type of passport, and type of application fees may range from $130 – 160, with additional costs for expedited service.
