How to Change Your Name After Divorce — Forms, Steps & Timeline
Steps
- Look at your signed divorce judgment. If it orders your former name restored, that judgment can serve as your proof of the name change.
- If it doesn't, ask the court that handled your divorce. In California, you file form FL-395 to go back to a former name after the divorce is final.
- Get certified copies of the signed judgment or order from the court clerk. Many agencies, like Social Security, ask for a certified copy, not a photocopy.
- Update Social Security first. The replacement card is free and comes by mail 5 to 10 business days after Social Security completes the request.
- Then update your driver's license or state ID, your passport, your voter registration and your employer's records.
From the California Courts, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. State Department and USAGov, checked 2026-10-22. Sources are listed at the end of this page.
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If your divorce was in California
This section covers California, because that's the state court guide we checked. If your divorce was in another state, California's courts say to contact the court that handled your divorce and ask whether it has a process to restore your former name.
| Situation | What the official page says | Fee | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce not final yet | Ask on your final forms: California Courts says to check item 12 on the Declaration (FL-170) and write the full name you want in item 4(f) of the Judgment (FL-180). Once the judge signs the Judgment, it's your legal proof | Part of your final divorce forms (FL-170 and FL-180) | California Courts: change your name in your divorce case, checked 2026-10-22 |
| Divorce already final | File FL-395, Ex Parte Application for Restoration of Former Name After Entry of Judgment and Order, with the court where your divorce was filed. If the judge signs it, the clerk sends you the signed form | About $435 to $450 if it's the first paper you've filed in the case; if you already paid a filing fee, you may not need to pay again. Check with your court clerk. You can ask for a fee waiver | California Courts and Form FL-395, checked 2026-10-22 |
| Certified copies | Ask the court clerk to certify copies of the signed FL-180 or FL-395 | About $40 per certified copy (you can ask for a fee waiver) | California Courts, checked 2026-10-22 |
| You want a new name, not a former one | The divorce case can only restore a former name. A new name needs a separate name change case | See the legal name change guide | California Courts, checked 2026-10-22 |
California's courts say you can do this even if you were divorced years ago (California Courts: change your name, checked 2026-10-22).
After the court order: who to update
These rules are federal and apply in every state, except the driver's license row, which is California's.
| Record | What the official page says | Fee and time | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security card | Bring proof of the legal name change, such as the divorce decree, plus an identity document. Originals or certified copies only. If the change was more than two years ago, you also need an ID in your prior name | Free. Mailed 5 to 10 business days after SSA completes the request | SSA: change name, replace your card, documents you need, checked 2026-10-22 |
| U.S. passport issued less than 1 year ago, and your name changed after it was issued | Mail Form DS-5504 with your passport, the certified decree or order and 1 photo | $0 ($60 if you want it expedited) | State Dept: change or correct a passport, checked 2026-10-22 |
| U.S. passport, any other case | Renew by mail with a certified copy of the name change document if you're eligible, or apply in person with Form DS-11 | Renewal book $130. DS-11 book $130 plus $35 acceptance fee ($165 total). Routine processing 4 to 6 weeks, expedited 2 to 3 weeks (+$60), plus mail time | State Dept: fees, processing times, checked 2026-10-22 |
| California driver's license or ID | The DMV first checks your name with Social Security; if it doesn't match, the application is denied. Finish at a field office with your current license and your proof documents, which can include the dissolution document | Temporary license valid 60 days (a receipt for an ID card); new card by mail within 3 to 4 weeks | California DMV, checked 2026-10-22 |
| Taxes | All the names on a tax return must match Social Security's records | "A name change can have an impact on your taxes and delay your refund." | IRS: update my information, checked 2026-10-22 |
| Voter registration | If you change your name, you must update your voter registration through your state, starting at vote.gov | Online, by mail, by phone or in person, depending on your state's rules | USAGov: voter registration, checked 2026-10-22 |
More detail: the Social Security name change guide, the passport name change guide and the DMV name change guide. If you can't afford a court fee, see the fee waiver guide.
Find your state guide
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a court order to go back to my former name after divorce?
Not if your divorce judgment already restores it. Social Security, for example, lists a divorce decree among the documents it may accept as proof of a legal name change. If the judgment doesn't mention your name, ask the court that handled your divorce. In California, that's form FL-395.
Can I change my name back years after the divorce?
In California, yes. The courts say you can ask even if you were divorced years ago, using form FL-395. Social Security will also ask for an ID in your prior name if the change was more than two years ago.
How much does it cost to change my name back after divorce?
In California, FL-395 may cost about $435 to $450 if it's the first paper you've filed in the case, and may cost nothing if you already paid a filing fee. Certified copies are about $40 each. After that, the Social Security card is free, and a passport update is $0 with Form DS-5504 if your passport was issued less than 1 year ago and your name changed after it was issued; otherwise it's $130 to renew by mail, or $130 plus a $35 acceptance fee ($165 total) with Form DS-11.
Can I choose a completely new name in my divorce case?
Not in California. The divorce case can only restore a former name, like your birth name. A new name needs a separate name change case.
What does Social Security need from me?
Proof of the legal name change, such as your divorce decree or court order, and an identity document. They take originals or copies certified by the agency that issued them, not photocopies.
Official sources
Fees and rules change. Check these official pages before you file.
- Change your name in your divorce case (California Courts) Checked 2026-10-22.
- Form FL-395, Ex Parte Application for Restoration of Former Name (California Courts) Checked 2026-10-22.
- Change your name (California Courts) Checked 2026-10-22.
- Change your name with Social Security (Social Security Administration) Checked 2026-10-22.
- Replace your Social Security card (Social Security Administration) Checked 2026-10-22.
- Learn what documents you need for a Social Security card (Social Security Administration) Checked 2026-10-22.
- Change or correct a passport (U.S. Department of State) Checked 2026-10-22.
- Passport fees (U.S. Department of State) Checked 2026-10-22.
- Passport processing times (U.S. Department of State) Checked 2026-10-22.
- Updating information on your driver's license or ID card (California DMV) Checked 2026-10-22.
- Update my information (Internal Revenue Service) Checked 2026-10-22.
- Change your voter registration (USAGov) Checked 2026-10-22.
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Last checked 2026-10-22 · Not legal advice · Terms · Privacy