Many women choose to change back to their maiden name as a way to get a fresh start after a divorce. However, the amount of paperwork can often be discouraging.
So—In this article, we’ve compiled a checklist for name change after divorce to help you go through this process as smoothly as possible and explain how PhotoAiD®–an app featured by Glamour, National Geographic, and Forbes–can provide perfect passport photos for any upcoming application.
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After-divorce name change checklist
Updating all personal papers and accounts will require 2 (two) documents: a divorce decree and proof of maiden name. After the end of the divorce process, these are the first steps to take to officially revert to the former name.
Divorce decree or court order
Divorce decrees contain all information about the case, specifically:
- property and debt division
- child and spousal support
- custody and visitation rights
- the possibility of returning to the maiden name.
The decree is usually released by the judge after the end of the case and it’s possible to request a certified copy from the court clerk’s office or the county clerk’s office.
In most states, getting a divorce decree is enough to proceed with the name change; however, in some places, it’s only possible to petition for a name change with a court order.
Proof of maiden name
This purpose can be served by any official document listing the birth name or former name. This includes:
- a birth certificate
- an old passport
- a marriage certificate listing both maiden and married name.
Presenting one of these documents may not be necessary if the divorce decree contains a request for a name change. However, it’s still advisable to acquire it as it might be requested by the local Social Security office or to update a state-issued ID card.
List of documents to change after divorce
After gathering the necessary material, it’s important to know exactly which documents should be updated with your maiden name. All official paperwork should report the same name to avoid misunderstandings with the authorities and cause delays.
Social Security card
The first thing to do is to notify the Social Security Administration of the name change and get an updated card. This can be done by submitting Form SS-5 to the nearest Social Security office either by mail or in person.
This form needs to be accompanied by the following documents:
- proof of name change (original or certified copy of court order or divorce decree);
- valid government-issued photo ID;
- proof of citizenship (valid U.S. passport, birth certificate);
- the previous Social Security card.
The new card will be delivered in around 2 (two) weeks. The Social Security number will be the same as before.
Driver’s license or ID card
The next stop will be at the DMV. Applicants who submitted Form SS-5 by mail will have to wait until the new Social Security card arrives; those who went to the office in person only need to wait 48 (forty-eight) hours.
The DMV requires the same material as the Social Security Administration with 2 (two) additions:
- Social Security card (either the new one or the old one accompanied by the Social Security Administration’s receipt).
- 2 (two) documents reporting the applicant’s full name and address (utility bill, bank statement, mortgage statement).
U.S. passport
After getting the other documents updated, it’s necessary to apply for a legal name change on your U.S. passport. While traveling, the name reported on your papers has to match the one used for the reservations, so, plan the application accordingly.
Depending on the situation, the State Department requires applicants to submit one of the following forms:
- Form DS-5504, if the current passport was issued less than a year prior to the application;
- Form DS-82, if the document was issued more than a year ago;
- Form DS-11, if applying for a new passport.
In the meantime, applicants should also check that all Trusted Traveler Programs are under the current name.
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P.O. box
If your residence has changed after the divorce, get in touch with the USPS to change all the personal information, such as your address and name. This procedure can be completed online on the U.S. Postal Service’s website.
Voter registration
To vote under your new name, it’s necessary to change the voter registration information. To do it online, go to vote.gov and follow the instructions; to do it by mail, download the National Voter Registration Application and send it to the indicated address.
Banking and insurance
Another fundamental step in this journey is making sure that insurance information and bank and savings accounts are all under the updated name. The procedures for a name change will be different depending on the bank or credit institution. Get in touch with them and inquire about the process. In any event, the person will likely need a divorce decree and an updated photo ID.
Updating employers
Ensuring that benefits and payroll information are all under the current name is generally simple. Just get in contact with the HR department and notify them.
Mortgage and investment accounts
The next step is to get in touch with customer service for investment accounts and mortgages. Again, the procedure may vary depending on the institution, however, the individual will probably have to visit the offices during business hours and provide documents proving their name change after divorce.
Medical records
In this case, it’s just a matter of visiting all your doctor’s offices and communicating the name change to have the records updated. They will probably change the records without requiring supporting documentation.
Personal accounts and subscriptions
At this stage, all the most important documents have been updated and you can move on to all other accounts. So, make a list of all your social media accounts, utility companies, club subscriptions, personal email addresses, and so on.
Get new passport photos comfortably with PhotoAiD®
Depending on how long ago they were issued, new pictures may be required to update passports, driver’s licenses, or ID cards. Given all the other offices you’ll have to contact and visit, finding time to get passport photos might not be so easy, especially considering how common lines are at the most popular services.
Luckily, with PhotoAiD®, you can take pictures for any official document from home, as over a million users have done before.
Here’s what we offer:
- Instant automatic cropping. After uploading a photo, the app can adapt it to the required size for any document you select, maintaining the appropriate ratio and resolution. No need for special equipment, just a smartphone.
- Seamless background removal. Our software can replace any background, making it perfectly plain white. Customers can take pictures anywhere they are–no need to find the right place or set up backdrops.
- Compliance check. The tool comes with a built-in AI system that can find even the smallest mistake. After that, one of our biometric photo experts will double-check and give the all-clear. Over 90% of users hear back in around a minute!
- Unlimited shots. You can try until the picture is just perfect at no additional cost.
Download the digital passport photo immediately and we can ship the prints to your door should you need them.
Related reading:
- How to Take Passport Photo at Home
- How to Make a Passport Size Photo from Mobile
- Taking Passport Photos with Your iPhone
- How to Take a Passport Photo With An Android Phone?
FAQ
Still have some questions about the name change process? In the section below, we’ll address the most commonly asked ones.
How do I go about changing my last name after divorce?
In the majority of states, the request can be executed with the divorce decree. In other ones, it’s necessary to petition for a court order.
Can I change my name 10 years after divorce?
Yes, the name change can be done at any point after the end of the legal process.
Should you go back to your maiden name after divorce?
Reverting to the maiden name is a personal decision, it’s by no means automatic or mandatory.
Does your name change after divorce?
Not automatically, it has to be changed legally in court.
Summary
Changing back to your old name after divorce firstly requires having the decision included in the decree or, depending on the state, petitioning through a court. After that, it’s just a matter of notifying all relevant authorities and applying to replace all official documents.
If you need to get new passport photos, use PhotoAiD®—we can help you get perfect pictures anywhere 24/7.
Riccardo Ollmert is a multilingual writer and travel expert. He studied Languages, Literature and Publishing Industry at La Sapienza University of Rome. His passions include traveling and learning new skills.
