Everything You Need to Know About Name Changes After a Divorce

Dealing with a divorce can be difficult for all parties. On the bright side, changing your name afterward is fairly straightforward. This article will outline how you can easily change your name. Additionally, it will explain how you can get the process started during the divorce proceedings.

Are There Pros and Cons to Changing Your Name After a Divorce?

Yes, there are pros and cons to changing your name following a divorce. You don’t want to change your name impulsively. It should be considered carefully. In order to help you with those considerations, this next section will discuss some of the pros and cons accompanying changing your name.

Pros

Some people have said that changing their name after their divorce allowed them to symbolically reclaim their identity. The act of removing their former spouse’s name allowed them to shed their past and be more attentive to the present, which made the transitional period after the divorce more manageable.

Cons

The cons of changing your name after a divorce can prove emotionally burdensome. The technical aspects of changing your name require jumping through several hoops that might leave you drowning in bureaucracy. Additionally, those with children might be reluctant to assume a different last name.

Changing Your Name Before the Divorce Is Final

Changing your name before the divorce is final is more straightforward than doing it later. Just how straightforward? Your divorce paperwork will include a box you can check that will alert the judge that you want to revert to your maiden name. Some states also have additional forms you can fill out and include with your divorce papers.

Even if you comply with all the instructions, it is important to follow up to ensure everything was processed correctly. The best way to do this is to check in with the Social Security Administration and your local DMV. Either organization should be able to confirm whether the change was processed.

Changing Your Name After the Divorce Is Final

It is possible to change your name after a divorce is finalized. To do so, you will need to gather all of the following documents:

• A copy of the divorce decree
• Proof of US citizenship or residency
• Proof of identity (such as a driver’s license or passport)
• Proof that you have a US Social Security number

Once you have all the necessary documents, go to the court’s website and fill out the name change request. Once completed, you will be required to pay a fee and submit the documents to your local county clerk.

Need to Change Your Name After Your Divorce? Gucciardo Family Law Can Help

If you still have questions about applying for a name change after a divorce, schedule a consultation with Gucciardo Family Law today. Our firm provides a compassion-based approach and prioritizes client concerns. Despite being a small firm, our resources are vast and expansive. Contact us today and let us know how we can help.