The petition for change of name shall be verified and shall state:
Rule 95.01.Petition For Change of Name--Contents.
Part III · Rule 95: Change of Name · Last amended January 1, 1981 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceRule 95.01 lists the facts a verified name-change petition must include: the petitioner's current and desired name, the reason for the change, county residency, birth details and parents' names, marital and family information, prior name changes, and any pending money judgments or lawsuits.
Full Text of Rule 95.01
(a) The present name of petitioner and the name desired;
(b) The reason for such desired change;
(c) That the petitioner is a resident of the county in which the change of name is sought;
(d) The date and place of birth of petitioner and petitioner’s father’s name and mother’s maiden name;
(e) If petitioner is married the name of petitioner’s spouse and if petitioner has children the names and ages of each and their place of residence;
(f) If petitioner’s name has previously been changed, when and where and by what court;
(g) Whether any judgment for money which has not been satisfied is pending against petitioner and, if so, the style of the case wherein the judgment was entered and the court in which the judgment was entered;
(h) Whether any action for money is pending against petitioner and, if so, the style of the case and the court in which it is pending; and
(i) That the change of name will not be detrimental to any other person.
Amendment History
Adopted June 10, 1980, eff. Jan. 1, 1981.
Official Comment
The source is prior Rule 95.01. The detail which is required to be stated in the petition was added to aid the bar in determining relevant factors which should be brought to the attention of the court.
Plain-English Summary
A legal name change in Missouri starts with a verified petition, and Rule 95.01 spells out exactly what that petition must say. At its core, it must state the petitioner's present name and the name desired, the reason for wanting the change, and confirmation that the petitioner lives in the county where the case is filed.
Beyond the basics, the rule asks for a fuller picture of the petitioner's identity and circumstances: date and place of birth, the petitioner's father's name and mother's maiden name, the spouse's name if married, and the names and ages and residence of any children. It also asks about history that could bear on the request, including any prior name change and where and by what court it happened, and it requires disclosure of any unsatisfied money judgment or pending lawsuit against the petitioner, along with the case style and the court involved.
Finally, the petition must state that the change will not be detrimental to any other person. That closing requirement connects directly to the standard the court applies when it rules on the request under Rule 95.04, and the detailed disclosures throughout the petition give the court the information it needs to test that claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information must a Missouri name-change petition include?
The present and desired name, the reason for the change, county residency, birth date and place, parents' names, marital and family details, any prior name change, any pending or unsatisfied money judgment or lawsuit, and a statement that the change will not harm any other person.
Does the petition have to be verified?
Yes. Rule 95.01 requires the petition to be verified.
Why does the petition ask about pending lawsuits or unsatisfied judgments?
That disclosure lets the court see whether a name change could be used to complicate collection of a debt or avoid an ongoing legal matter, which relates to the requirement that the change not harm anyone else.
Do I have to disclose a previous name change?
Yes. The petition must state when and where any prior name change occurred and what court granted it.
What does it mean that the change will not be "detrimental to any other person"?
It means the petitioner is representing to the court that the name change will not harm the interests of anyone else, a statement the court later evaluates under the standard in Rule 95.04.
Do I need to live in the county where I file the petition?
Yes. Rule 95.01 requires the petition to state that the petitioner is a resident of the county in which the change of name is sought.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Missouri State & Federal Court Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Missouri. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: legal name change Missouriname change petition Missourichange of name Missouri courtspetition to change name requirements