Understanding how to change your name after divorce can help you smoothly transition into the next stage of your life with increased freedom. As a trusted facilitator of online divorce in New York, the Divorce Center can help you navigate this process so it feels less overwhelming.

Changing Your Name After a Divorce

Many people don’t like keeping their spouse’s name after a divorce, and changing it can feel like a new beginning. For a successful name change, use the following process.

Receive the Divorce Decree

Once you finalize a divorce, you’ll receive an official document called a divorce decree. You can technically petition for name changes without this document, but it makes the process easier and faster.

You can include a provision in the document granting you legal power to change your name. However, if you didn’t change your name during the divorce proceedings, use the following steps to complete the process.

Find Documentation of Your Former Name

The first thing you’ll need is legal proof of your former name. If you were a Johnson before your marriage but took Smith as your married name, you’ll need incontrovertible evidence you once had the name Johnson. Documents you can use for this include:

• Birth certificate
• Old passport
• Marriage certificate

File Petition and Attend a Court Hearing

If you’re wondering how to change your name after divorce, you may have to attend a court hearing. First, you must file a petition for a name change if your divorce decree didn’t include a clause for it. The courts may require you to post a notice in the newspaper notifying the public of your intended name change.

Attending a court hearing usually occurs as a formality if you have completed the previous steps. The judge primarily seeks to establish whether you fully consent to this name change.

Receive Your Name Change

When the judge confirms your name change, you’ll receive a legal document, called an order, that acts as proof you changed your name. You should make several certified copies of it, as you’ll need them to update your records and alert the proper authorities.

Update Important Records

• Social Security card: Fill out a Form SS-5 and file it with the Social Security Administration (SSA) along with your order and proof of identity.
• Driver’s license: Bring your current license and name change order to the DMV. Some jurisdictions may require additional documents.
• Passport: You’ll need several documents for a new passport, so check the Department of State website so you come prepared.

When updating your important documents, you should also consider financial institutions, the USPS, and healthcare institutions.

The Divorce Center Helps With the Legal Aspects of Uncontested Divorces

Now that you know how to change your name after divorce, you can start the next phase of your life with freedom. At the Divorce Center, we provide easy filing for uncontested divorce and can help walk you through the process of your name change. For more information about the process in New York, call (800) 414-0333.