Carter County, MO
How to Change Your Name in Carter County
File your adult name change petition with the 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Carter County. Our directory does not record the filing fee — confirm it with the clerk. 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
- 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Carter County
- Filing fee
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- Confirm with the clerk
- Court address
- Carter County Courthouse, 1122 Main Street, Van Buren, MO 63965 (P.O. Box 578)
- Court phone
- (573) 323-4513
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court
- Official forms
- www.courts.mo.gov/ ↗
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Carter County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Not required for uncontested adult petitions
- How to file
- in person
Getting Certified Copies
Confirm with the clerk — not recorded in our data
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 Carter County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Carter 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 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Carter 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 — ask the clerk how to request them.
- 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 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Carter County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Carter County, Missouri?
Our directory does not record a filing fee for the 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Carter County. Confirm the current amount with the 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Carter County clerk before filing. A fee waiver is available for petitioners who qualify by income; file the waiver request together with your petition.
Where and how do I file a name change in Carter County?
File with the 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Carter County. Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Carter County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Carter County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Carter County clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Carter 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 Carter County?
Our directory does not record the certified-copy procedure for the 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Carter County. Ask the 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Carter County clerk how many copies are included and how to request extras.