How to Change Your Name Back After Divorce
August 22, 2026 · 1 min read · Updated July 10, 2026
Reverting to your former name is straightforward, especially if you handle it during the divorce. Here's how.
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If you took your spouse's last name and want to return to your former one, divorce is the easiest time to do it. Here's the process.
Ask for it in the divorce itself
The simplest path is to request the name change as part of your divorce. Most states let you include it in your paperwork, and your final decree then officially restores your former name, no separate court case or extra fee required. Always choose this option if it's available and you're sure.
Update your records in the right order
Once your decree lists your restored name, update your Social Security record first, then your driver's license, then everything else, passport, bank accounts, employer, insurance, and voter registration. You'll typically show a certified copy of your decree as proof, so get several.
If you didn't include it in the divorce
You can still change it later through a standard name-change petition, but that's a separate court process with its own fee. It's why handling it during the divorce is worth remembering up front.
A name change is one of the more satisfying steps of a fresh start, and when you build it into the divorce, it's nearly effortless.
