How do I change my name after a divorce?

In California, you can change your name after a divorce by filing a Petition for Name Change in the County Court where the divorce was finalized. To do this, you must obtain a Petition for Name Change form, which you can find online or in your local court. You will then need to fill out the form, provide a copy of your divorce decree, and pay a filing fee. Once you have completed and filed the forms, you will need to attend a hearing, where a judge will decide whether or not to grant your petition. At the hearing, the judge will assess whether the name change is in the public interest, as well as whether or not you are using the name change to defraud or commit a crime. After the hearing, a judge will either approve your petition or deny it. If approved, the court will issue a Name Change Order that you can use to obtain a new Social Security Card, driver’s license, and other documents. Make sure to inform the Social Security Administration, Department of Motor Vehicles, banks, and other agencies of your new name. To update your records, you will need to provide a copy of the Name Change Order. In general, the process of changing your name after a divorce in California is relatively straightforward. However, it is important to be mindful of the filing requirements and to make sure to obtain a Name Change Order from the court if your petition is approved.

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