Provide Notice of your Name Change in Connection with a Divorce

There are a number of reasons you might want to change your name, the most common of which is divorce. Often, women who took their husband's name in marriage choose to revert back to their maiden name after the divorce. This is an accepted practice in every state and most courts will typically address this issue during the divorce procedure.

Also See:

• After Divorce Name Change Kit

More...

• Changing Your Name after Marriage
• Changing Your Name in a Common Law Marriage

However, there are instances where the name change is not addressed and the wife must deal with this issue after the divorce has been finalized.

Some states, such as California, allow you to submit a separate form to the trial judge who presided over your divorce proceedings. Other states treat this as a separate issue once the divorce has been finalized and require you to file the necessary "name change" documents just as anyone else would, without regard to your recent divorce.

In any event, requesting a name change is a fairly simple process and can typically be done without hiring an attorney. Also See: Name Change Kit

Fortunately, there are a number of services that provide do-it-yourself name change kits that are drafted specifically to your state's requirements. In addition, you'll also want to make sure you change your driver's license, bank account and any other legal documents that reflect your married name.

Name change kits help explain all the necessary procedures, plus forms for notifying government agencies and others of a name change, including forms for Passport, Social Security Card, Employer, Drivers License, IRS, etc. A name change kit will also includes forms and instructions Voter Registration, Banks and other Financial Institutions, Clubs and Organizations, Post Office, Insurance Companies, State Tax Commission and others. Another consideration addressed by name change kits is changing your name in various legal documents like contracts and wills.

Regardless of why you change your name, you will need to notify the appropriate agencies and take other steps to make the name change legal and effective.

Also See:

• After Divorce Name Change Kit

More...

• Changing Your Name after Marriage
• Changing Your Name in a Common Law Marriage

Name Change FAQ's

• Changing Your Name for Tax Purposes
• Changing Your Child's Name After A Divorce
• Can I choose any name?