Buchanan County, MO
How to Change Your Name in Buchanan County
File your adult name change petition with the 5th Judicial Circuit Court, Buchanan County. The filing fee is $93.50. Newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Missouri checklist
The court step is one of many — the free state guide maps SSA, DMV, passport and the records that come after.
Court Information
- Court
- 5th Judicial Circuit Court, Buchanan County
- Filing fee
- $93.50
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- Confirm with the clerk
- Court address
- 411 Jules Street, Room 331, St. Joseph, MO 64501
- Court phone
- (816) 271-1462
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court
- Official forms
- 5thcircuit.net/ ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Buchanan County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Not required for uncontested adult petitions
- How to file
- in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($2.5 per copy)
You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport, and your banks — order more than one.
Step-by-Step Process
- Gather documents: certified birth certificate, photo ID, and proof of residency in Buchanan County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the 5th Judicial Circuit Court, Buchanan County clerk or its website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee, complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition in person with the 5th Judicial Circuit Court, Buchanan County
- Arrange the required newspaper publication — confirm the approved newspaper with the clerk before you publish
- No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition in this county
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available ($2.5 per copy).
- Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records
Check what you are missing before you file
The free readiness score checks documents, forms, fees and privacy across four dimensions — and links the gaps to the same Missouri guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the 5th Judicial Circuit Court, Buchanan County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Buchanan County, Missouri?
The court filing fee is $93.50. A fee waiver is available for petitioners who qualify by income; file the waiver request together with your petition. Certified copies may cost extra; ask the clerk for the current copy fee.
Where and how do I file a name change in Buchanan County?
File with the 5th Judicial Circuit Court, Buchanan County. Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Buchanan County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Buchanan County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the 5th Judicial Circuit Court, Buchanan County clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Buchanan County?
No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition, though the court can still schedule one if it has questions.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Buchanan County?
Available ($2.50 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.