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Current for 2026 · checked against the official .gov pages Last verified 2026-06-15

How to change your name after a divorce, step by step

Going back to your name is mostly a matter of doing the steps in order: certified divorce decree → Social Security → driver's license / REAL ID → passport → everything else. Start with Social Security — it's free, and a certified copy of your decree is your name-change document. If the decree didn't restore your name, Social Security may still be able to restore a former name from your birth certificate or prior records.

A divorce is a lot, and the paperwork after it can feel like one more thing to carry. Going back to your name is mostly a sequencing problem, not a legal one — do the steps in the right order and each agency accepts the last one's work. We link the real .gov page behind every step, so you walk in with exactly what they ask for.

What are the steps to change my name after divorce?

Take it one step at a time. Each one clears the way for the next.

  1. Get a certified copy of your divorce decree

    Order certified copies of your decree from the clerk of the county or city where your divorce was granted — they'll tell you the cost and what they need. This is your name-change document, and agencies require an original or issuing-agency-certified copy, not a photocopy.

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  2. Change your name with Social Security first (free)

    Social Security accepts a U.S. divorce, annulment, or dissolution decree as evidence of a legal name change, and the new card is free. If the decree states your restored name, that's the name on your card. If it's silent, Social Security can still restore a former or maiden name using your birth certificate, a prior record of a card in that name, or a prior marriage document. Do this first — DMVs check your name against Social Security's records.

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  3. Update your driver's license / REAL ID

    Take your updated Social Security record and a certified copy of your decree to your state DMV. REAL ID has been enforced since May 7, 2025, and the decree is the document that traces your old name to your restored name. Exact documents vary by state.

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  4. Change your passport (mind the 1-year window)

    If your passport was issued less than a year ago, change the name for free with Form DS-5504 and a certified copy of your decree or court order. Older than a year, you renew with a certified copy of your name-change document. You mail in your current passport, so don't start right before international travel.

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  5. Update everything else

    Then update banks, your employer or payroll, insurance, voter registration, and memberships. These don't gate the others, so they come last.

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What if the decree didn't restore my name?

You're not stuck. If your decree is silent on your name, Social Security can still restore a former or maiden name using your birth certificate, a prior record of a card issued in that name, or a prior marriage document — usually with no new court order. The one case that generally does need a county-court order first is a brand-new name that's neither your maiden nor your married name.

Official sources

Every step is backed by an official government page — confirm the current rules on the source before you act.

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Answer a few quick questions and we'll tell you what to do first, second, and third for your exact situation — each step linked to the real .gov page. No account, no card.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I change my name back after a divorce?
Start with a certified copy of your divorce decree, then change Social Security first (it's free), then your driver's license / REAL ID, then your passport, then banks and everything else. Social Security goes first because state DMVs check your name against its records.
Do I need a court order to go back to my name after divorce?
Often not. If your decree restored your former name, the decree itself is your name-change document. If the decree is silent, Social Security can still restore a former or maiden name using your birth certificate, a prior record of a card in that name, or a prior marriage document. A separate county-court order is generally only needed for a brand-new name that's neither your maiden nor your married name.
Where do I get a copy of my divorce decree?
From the clerk of the county or city court where your divorce was granted. Ask for a certified copy — agencies won't accept a plain photocopy. USA.gov links the right office for your area.
Is the passport name change free after divorce?
It's free within one year of your passport's issuance, using Form DS-5504 and a certified copy of your decree or court order. After a year, it's a paid renewal with a certified copy of your name-change document.
Can I change my child's last name through my divorce?
That's a separate matter handled by your county family court, and it often requires the other parent's consent. We don't give steps for it here — talk to your county family court or a family-law attorney about changing a child's surname.

Not legal advice · Not a government service · Not affiliated with any government agency.