How to Change Your Name Back After Divorce (2026 Guide)

Updated April 2026 · 7 min read · Not legal advice

Restoring your maiden name or a previous legal name after divorce is one of the most straightforward name change processes — but only if you handle it correctly from the start. The single most important thing you can do is request name restoration during your divorce proceedings, before the decree is finalized. If you miss that window, the process becomes significantly more expensive.

Use the free name change calculator to get a personalized cost estimate for your state.

The Free Way: Include It in Your Divorce Decree

If your divorce is not yet final, ask your attorney — or the court directly if you are self-represented — to include a name restoration clause in your divorce decree. This is the most important piece of advice on this page.

When your divorce decree includes a provision restoring your previous name, that decree becomes your legal name change document. You skip the separate court petition entirely, saving $100–$500 in filing fees depending on your state.

The clause typically reads:

If your divorce is already final without this clause, skip to the next section.

If Your Divorce Is Already Final: File a Separate Petition

If your divorce decree does not include name restoration, you must file a separate name change petition with your local court. This follows the standard adult court-order name change process for your state — use the calculator to see your state's filing fee, which ranges from $25 in Alabama to $450 in Louisiana. You can prepare and file the paperwork yourself using LawDepot's Online Divorce Papers.

What Documents Do You Need?

Gather these before you start updating anything:

• Certified copy of your divorce decree — Must have the court seal. The decree must include the name restoration language. Order 3–4 certified copies from the court clerk. Cost: $5–$25 per copy.
• Your current photo ID — Driver's license or passport in your married name
• Proof of citizenship — Birth certificate or current passport (needed for SSA)

The Correct Order to Update Your Name

Same order as a marriage name change — SSA first, then everything else. Do not skip ahead.

How Much Does It Cost?

Most Common Mistakes

• Not requesting name restoration during divorce — This is the most expensive mistake. If your divorce is not final, add the clause now.
• Using an uncertified copy of the decree — Must have the court seal. Photocopies are rejected everywhere.
• Forgetting beneficiary designations — Life insurance, 401(k), IRA beneficiaries do not update automatically. Check every financial account.
• Not updating credit bureaus — Your name change will eventually propagate, but you can speed it up by contacting Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion directly with your decree.
• Forgetting the vehicle title — Contact your state DMV separately to update your vehicle title and registration after updating your driver's license.

Can You Change to a Name Other Than Your Maiden Name?

In most states, a divorce decree can only restore a name you previously held — typically your birth name or a name from a prior marriage. If you want to take a completely new name, you must file a separate court-order name change petition after the divorce is final.