Table of Contents:
- How to Change Your Name After Divorce: Your Options
- Requesting a Name Change in Your Divorce Decree
- Changing Your Name After Divorce Through a Court Order
- Where to Change Your Last Name After Divorce
- How Long Does Changing Your Name After Divorce Take?
- Get Your Divorce Certificate with Vital Records Online
Unfortunately, a divorce is often time-consuming and challenging for those involved in this legal process. If you took your former spouse’s surname, you’re likely ready to take back your maiden name. Thankfully, this aspect of moving forward after divorcing is fairly straightforward.
In this post, Vital Records Online (VRO) will show you how to change your name after divorce. Following this guide will ensure this name-related change happens smoothly.
How to Change Your Name After Divorce: Your Options
Requesting a Name Change in Your Divorce Decree
Most people change their last name after divorce through their divorce decree. This legal document outlines the terms of a divorce. Because each divorce is unique, divorce decrees often differ from one divorcing couple to another. Information contained in these documents can include:
- The reason for a divorce
- Division of properties
- Custodial terms
- Information about child support
- How to handle marital debt
Instead of needing a separate court order, requesting a name change in your decree can help you save time. Additionally, the decree itself can serve as legal proof of your name change as you update your records.
Changing Your Name After Divorce Through a Court Order
What if it’s too late to change your name in your divorce decree? If so, don’t worry. Changing your name is still possible—you’ll need to do it through a court order. In this case, you’ll file a separate petition in the city or county you live in.
While this aspect of how to change your name after divorce varies by jurisdiction, you can expect to complete a name change application and pay a required fee. You may also be required to attend a brief court hearing to finalize your name change.
Where to Change Your Last Name After Divorce
Once you have all legal documents pertaining to your legal name change, you’re ready to update a potentially wide range of companies, agencies, and institutions. Here’s a helpful list of where to start.
Notify the Social Security Administration (SSA)
In this stage of how to change your name after divorce, contacting the SSA is vital. That’s because the other agencies and institutions mentioned below will verify your name based on your Social Security information. Get started online by completing Form SS-5, otherwise known as an Application for a Social Security Card.
Informing the SSA of your name change will also require:
- Your court order or divorce decree
- Proof of your identity and U.S. citizenship (if applicable)
Update Relevant Financial Institutions
If you’re like most, you have a debit card and credit cards. You may also have a mortgage, automobile loan, and similar financial arrangements. Changing your name after divorce means notifying these companies and agencies of your post-divorce name change.
Start by contacting your bank, letting you request a new debit card and checks. Do you have investment or retirement accounts? If so, these agencies and companies must also receive confirmation of your new name.
How Long Does Changing Your Name After Divorce Take?
Besides wondering how to change your name after divorce, wanting to know how long this will take is understandable. The answer depends on what agency you’re referring to.
After your local court approves your name change, whether through a court order or divorce decree, you should contact the Social Security Administration. It typically takes this agency about two to four weeks to complete and verify your name change.
Here’s how long it can take, depending on what agency you’re waiting for:
- Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): You can complete this process in a single in-person visit to your local DMV. Opting for a name change by mail can take a few days to a few weeks.
- Employer-Based Records: It depends on the size of the company you work for. Most businesses complete record-related changes in a few days or weeks.
- Passport: Most people find processing time for name-related passport changes to take the longest time to complete. Expect processing to take up to six to eight weeks.
Get Your Divorce Certificate With Vital Records Online
A divorce can feel overwhelming, including completing the steps required to change your name. We hope our guide helps you take this process step by step to make a divorce-related name change as seamless as possible.
Learning how to change your name after divorce means understanding how to complete an important legal procedure. Whether you do it through your decree or a separate petition, changing your name after divorce is a significant achievement. It also helps bring you closer to your new life after a divorce.
Do you need a certified copy of your divorce certificate? Choose Vital Records Online. Our U.S.-based online service removes the hassle and confusion of obtaining vital record copies. With over 80,000 5-star ratings, you can trust that Vital Records Online delivers your vital documents securely, quickly, and affordably.