An oxidized starch was modified for surface sizing via etherification and esterification. Propylene oxide (PO), sodium monochloroacetate (SMCA), and acrylonitrile (AN) were used as etherification, and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), maleic anhydride (MA), fumaric acid (FA), and itaconic acid (ITA) were used for esterification. Esterification and etherification of starch decreased both Brookfield viscosity and Brabender viscosity substantially even though the solids level was increased by 2% from 14 to 16%. Surface sizing performance of starches in tensile strength, stiffness and compressive strength was improved by esterification and etherification of the oxidized starch. Especially, SMCA etherification was found to be the most effective modification method.