PURPOSE: This rule clarifies when continued use of previously issued license plates is permissible by providing examples of various name-change situations.

1. (1) In title transactions which involve a name change only, with no change of ownership, the owner may change the name on the certificate of title and continue to use the same license plates assigned to the vehicle until they expire.
2. (2) It will be the owner’s responsibility to submit proof that the name s/he is changing from and the name s/he is changing to are the same owner(s), and no change of ownership has occurred. This proof may be by certified copy of the name-change document issued by the Office of the Secretary of State or court order.
3. (3) If the entire ownership of a business is sold to another individual, partnership or corporation, the registration of any commercial motor vehicles owned by the business may be transferred to the new owner. A statement from the seller which gives permission for the new owners to use the license plates currently on the vehicles until their date of expiration is required. This statement is sometimes included as part of the sale contract.

4. (4) Examples.

   1. (A) Corporate Name Change. ABC Corporation changes its name to DEF Corporation with no change of owners. A namechange document from the secretary of state is required. The old license plate may be used. No transfer fee will be charged unless the corporation is transferring the license from one (1) vehicle to another. If a namechange document is not presented, new license plates must be purchased.
   2. (B) Corporate Name Change—Additional Owners. ABC Corporation owned by two (2) people changes its name to DEF Corporation which will be owned by four (4) people. A change of ownership is involved. New license plates are required. New license plates will not be required for any commercial motor vehicles involved in the change of ownership. A statement from the seller will be required.
   3. (C) Corporate Distribution to Shareholder. ABC Corporation, owned by John Doe, wants to retitle a vehicle with the corporation’s name to the individual’s name. A change of ownership is involved. New license plates are required. New license plates will not be required for any commercial motor vehicles involved in the change of ownership. A statement from the seller will be required.
   4. (D) Shareholder Contribution to Cor - poration. John Doe wants to retitle his privately owned vehicle to his corporation’s name, ABC Corporation. A change of ownership is involved. New license plates are required. New license plates will not be required for any commercial motor vehicles involved in the change of ownership. A statement from the seller will be required.
   5. (E) Incorporation of a Company. XYZ Company incorporates and changes to XYZ Corporation. A change of ownership is involved. New license plates are required. New license plates will not be required for any commercial motor vehicles involved in the change of ownership. A statement from the seller will be required.
   6. (F) Company Name Change. XYZ Company changes its name to ABC Company with no change of ownership. A name-change document from the secretary of state is required. The old license plates may be used. No transfer fee is charged unless the company or corporation is transferring the license from one

5. (1) vehicle to another. If a name-change document cannot be presented, new license plates must be purchased.

   1. (G) Individual to Company Name Change. John Doe wants to retitle his privately owned vehicle to his privately owned company, John’s Delivery Company. A copy of Registration of Fictitious Name form filed with the secretary of state is required. The old license plates may be used. No transfer fee is charged unless John Doe is transferring the license plates from one (1) vehicle to another. If the Registration of Fictitious Name form cannot be presented, new license plates must be purchased.
   2. (H) Company Name Change—Additional Owners. ABC Company owned by two (2) people changes its name to XYZ Company owned by four (4) people. A change of ownership is involved. New license plates are required. New license plates will not be required for any commercial motor vehicles involved in the change of ownership. A statement from the seller will be required. 12 CSR 10-23
   3. (I) Individual Name Change. Because of marriage, divorce or establishment of name by common usage, Mary Jones changes her last name on a certificate of title to Mary Johnson. Mary must present her Missouri driver’s license showing her name. This will constitute sufficient proof of name change. If Mary does not have a Missouri driver’s license, or has not applied for a new driver’s license which reflects her name change, she must complete an affidavit stating her name change was due to marriage or divorce, or present three (3) affidavits stating the name change was due to establishment of name by common usage. Her old license plates may be used if Mary’s previous name was on the original title.
   4. (J) Court Authorized Individual Name Change. John Brown wants to change his name to Bobby Smith on a certificate of title. A certified copy of the court order authorizing the name change is required. His old license plates may be used.

AUTHORITY: sections 301.140, RSMo Supp. 1987 and 301.442, RSMo 1986.* Original rule filed April 21, 1986, effective Aug. 11, 1986. *Original authority: 301.140, RSMo 1987, amended 1947, 1951, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1987 and 301.442, RSMo 1981.