How do I chance my surname back to my maden name after a divorce?

Question

This may be a strange question, but can I just change it back or does it have to go through the courts?

Answer 1

i just changed mine back at dmv with my birth-certificate then i went to SS administration no problem

Answer 2

Well, I have done this. When you file your divorce papers you need to have the lawyer or judge put it in the decree that you are requesting to have your maiden name back. It must be done legally so that your social security and driver's license will be valid as well as any other legal stuff you may want to do: eg. income taxes, credit app's, job app's, you get the idea. It did not cost me anything extra to have my maiden name back because I did it at the same time as the divorce was finalized. It will cost extra if you wait and try to get it done later.
Hope this helps! Good luck!

Answer 3

You can just use it but the DVLA and the Passport Agency will insist on seeing a Change of Name Deed. A lawyer will draft this for you - it's easy and relatively cheap (compared to other legal services!!) - you should not expect to pay more than about £50 plus VAT.

Answer 4

That is one of the standard elements included with the divorce. The name change is easiest done WITH the divorce and s/he, the para-legal or the initial intake form should have asked that question. Go back to the attorney that handled your divorce.


What's a hundred lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?
A good start!

Answer 5

No courts needed, just stand in line forever at the social security office, fill out the forms, and pay them money. Then when you have your new social security card, you have to go about getting your name changed on your bank accounts and drivers license and all of that.

Not too hard, but a bit of a pain in the neck.

Answer 6

Why did you change it in the first place?

Anyway, depending on where the marriage and/or divorce occurred and where you reside you have a lot of options open to you. If you changed your name to your husband's by showing your marriage certificate to any organisation with whom you had dealings you should (logically - ha ha) revert to your maiden name by showing your birth certificate, marriage certificate and decree absolute to those same organisations. If unsuccessful, you may have to record a change of name by Deed Poll (not "depoll"!). I suggest you seek legal advice.

Answer 7

Depends on what the procedure is where you live. Usually you have to get it changed on the documents such as a driver's license, passport, etc., but in many places it can be done by mail, not through the court or anything.

Answer 8

That is one thing that is stated in your divorce decree. If you put it into the divorce you will not have to pay a separate court fee to get it done. It costs $500 to get your name changed in Indiana.

Answer 9

It depends on what state you live in, In KY you have to put it in your divorce decree.When you do that,when your divorce goes through the courts,so will your request for name change,and it will become legal.All documents and mail and such will be legal with your maiden name then too.

Answer 10

Depending on where you live, you may need to hire a lawyer to change everything back to your maiden name. Call a reputable lawyer in your area --- his assistant or paralegal can tell you the requirements for where you live.

One word of advice however, make sure you spell it correctly

Answer 11

i checked with my solicitor he said it was ok to just change so long as you had no intent to decieve so i just wrote and told every one that i would now be using my maiden name and i did no problem then you have to decide are you ms miss or what , i decided on miss and put the whole married thing behind me , do the same you will feel much better .. good luck