How do I change my name after a divorce?

If you have recently gone through a divorce and want to change your name back to your maiden name, or to a different name altogether, you can do so in California. The process requires that you make a written request to the court and fill out the appropriate paperwork. First, you must file a Petition for Name Change with the court in the county where you were last divorced. In the petition, you must make a declaration of why you would like to change your name, such as returning to a maiden name or simply wanting a new name. Your petition must be accompanied by a blank certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. After your petition is filed, the court will schedule a hearing date to consider your request. On the day of the hearing, you will need to present evidence that you are legally entitled to the requested name change. Once the court approves your name change, you may receive a Notice of Entry of Judgment which will document the court’s approval. You will then need to obtain a certified copy of the Notice of Entry of Judgment from the County Clerk and provide it to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV will issue you a new driver’s license and registration in your new name. You will also need to make sure to update other government documents, such as Social Security, voter registration, and banking information, which can be done online or in person.

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