father sitting with his daughter and reading something

Steps for Name/Gender Change

Do Name Change through court

  1. If under 18 need written parental consent from both parents
  2. Motion and Order for Next Friend means parent is consenting to bring lawsuit for change of name on behalf of minor (procedural requirement only)
  3. If 18 or over do not need parental consent
  4. Filing fee is $185.50 or file fee waiver (ask fee to be waived)
  5. Pay attorney flat fee of $750 or do it yourself on selfrepresent.mo.gov (requires watching videos as well on this site)
  6. If you move out of state, you can still do name change in state where birth certificate was issued (easiest) or in new state where you live
  7. Request to raise security level on casenet
  8. Request in person hearing be waived
  9. Publication won’t be waived
  10. If you have outstanding bills make agreements with who you owe money to before you file the name change—judge can deny name change if there is evidence that spouse, children, and/or creditors would be harmed by new name
  11. New name cannot be obscene, offensive, or harmful to another person
  12. Request multiple paper certified copies from attorney or court

Request amended birth certificate through Bureau of Vital Records

  1. Requires paper certified copy of name change from court
  2. $15 fee (cash, money order, or certified cashier’s check-no personal checks)
  3. Faster in person than via mail: Missouri Department of Heath and Senior Services, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109 (573) 751-6387 VitalRecordsInfo@health.mo.gov
  4. I do this for my clients if requested but is generally three month wait time.

Fill out Driver’s License form

  1. Complete Form 5532 dor.mo.gov/forms/5532
  2. This is called Gender Designation Change Request Form
  3. No court order required
  4. Form must be notarized (public library, bank, attorney’s office)
  5. Need counselor, physician, or social worker to complete
  6. Dor.mo.gov; DLBMail@dor.mo.gov; 573-526-2407

Request new social security card

  1. Do this within 2 years of receiving your name change
  2. Need new driver’s license before getting social security card (for ID purposes)
  3. Complete Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5)
  4. Need copy of amended birth certificate
  5. Bring copy of certified court order of name change
  6. No charge for a new social security card
  7. If you don’t get a new social security card it can delay tax refunds and prevent your wages from being posted correctly to your social security record which lowers the benefits you may receive in the future.

Passport

  1. For DS-5504
  2. Need copy of prior passport, if applicable.
  3. Certified paper copy of name change
  4. New passport photo
  5. No fee if you submit via USPS

Employment

  1. When employer asks for driver’s license and/or birth certificate you should be able to provide just a copy of your new passport. Avoid providing copy of amended birth certificate that has wrong gender marker.
  2. For I-9 employment forms use your passport and driver’s license.

Gender Change

  1. Major reason for doing a gender change is for purposes of background checks from future employers, government, and military service.
  2. Jurisdiction lies in the state where the birth certificate was issued.
  3. Missouri requires letter from physician (irreversible and permanent medical procedures OR surgery)
  4. Because Missouri law is so strict if you go to college or work in another more progressive state (i.e., Illinois, New York, California) research the gender change process in that state and if it is easier in that state get the gender change there and then register the Judgment in Missouri to have the birth certificate amended. This will require assistance from an attorney.
  5. Request security level be raised on casenet
  6. Request in person hearing be waived
  7. Request publication be waived
  8. Filing fee for gender change is $100.50 or file fee waiver
  9. No forms readily available to do this on your own. $750 attorney flat fee.
  10. No Missouri cases on change to non-binary or unknown status on birth certificate. Missouri Bureau of Vital Statistics says it allows male, female, and unknown.
  11. Concern about gender change for non-binary folks because of lack of gender-neutral bathrooms, jails, and military service.

THIS INFORMATION IS BEING PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO CREATE AN ATTORNEY/CLIENT RELATIONSHIP AND THE DISSEMINATION OF THIS HANDOUT DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY/CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOICE.