How can i change my last name after divorce

You are registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) under the name given to you at birth. Sometimes your civil status will change. For example, when you get married or divorced or you enter a registered partnership. You can then choose how you would like to be addressed by indicating your surname or a combination of surnames. Organisations which get their information from the BRP will then address you with the name you have chosen.

Belangrijke informatie: You can request a change in the use of your surname 2 weeks after the change in your civil status.

On this page

Needed for your request

  • A copy of your valid form of identification
  • You need to be registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) of the Municipality of The Hague.

You were married outside the Netherlands

Were you married abroad? And do you have a foreign passport with your new surname? Look at Change personal data in the BRP.

    What name can you choose?

      • You can use the surname of your partner.
      • You can choose a combination of both surnames. You can determine the order of the names yourself.
      • You can use your own birth name.

      Your birth name will always remain in your Dutch passport, identity card or driving licence. Even if your civil status changes. You can have your partner’s surname stated on these documents.

      A request for a change in the use of your surname in the BRP is different from legally changing your family name. More information on this subject can be found under Changing your name.

      Fees

      Free.

      How long does it take?

      • online: 5 working days
      • in writing: 10 working days

      Apply

      Online

      Request a change in the use of your surname online.

      In writing

      You can also request a change in the use of your surname in writing. Send a signed letter to the Department of Public Service.

      Are you having difficulties?

      Is it not working for you to apply online? Or are there special circumstances? Then you might be able to visit the emergency desk. More information and the conditions can be found under Make an appointment at the municipality.

      Good to know

      You can make a safe copy of your identity document with your mobile telephone or tablet using the KopieID app. Read more on the website of the Dutch government.

      • Have a question about Name or Gender Change? 

        How can i change my last name after divorce

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      You can change your name as part of your divorce if:

      • Your divorce case is in California
      • You are going back to a former legal name (like your birth name)

      You can do this when you finish your divorce (when you finish your divorce) or even years after your divorce was final (after your divorce). 

      If your divorce was outside California: Contact the court that ordered your divorce. Find out if they have a simple process for you to change your name in that divorce case even if you no longer live in that state. If not, you may need to start a name change case.
      If you don't want to go back to a former name: You will need to start a name change case. You can only go back to a former name in a divorce case.

      Once the judge signs your form FL-395 or FL-180, you may want to get a certified copy to use to update your IDs.

      Many government agencies (like the Social Security Administration or Department of Motor Vehicles) will ask for a certified copy to change your name in their records.

      If you do need a certified copy, ask the court clerk to certify a copy for you. Depending on how many legal ID documents you want to update, you can ask for more than one certified copy.

      The current fee is $40 fee for a certified copy. If you cannot afford the fee, you can request a fee waiver. 

      Your records are not updated automatically with your new name. 

      You must share a certified copy of Form FL-395 or FL-180 showing your new name with each government agency where you need to update your ID or record.

      Learn how to contact each agency where you might need to update your records

      Get more information 

      How can i change my last name after divorce

      Reviewed by: Holly Atkins - Solicitor

      If you’ve recently been through a divorce or separation, you might have some questions about how to change your last name back to your maiden name.

      You might have questions about the process of changing your name, updating official documents, how a name change might affect travel plans, among others.

      *** To get started with a deed poll to change your name click on the button below.

      START AN ADULT DEED POLL - £18.50

      In this in-depth guide, we will cover everything you need to know about changing your name after a divorce or separation in the UK.

      We’ll take a look at the name change process, the documents required, and also answer some of the most common questions about changing your name.

      How can i change my last name after divorce

      How do I change my name after a divorce?

      Assuming you do want to change your name, the process and the requirements will vary somewhat based on your specific circumstance. In this section, we’ll break down the requirements for a name change for some of the most common situations after a divorce or separation.

      Most likely, the first thing you’ll want to do is to change your name on your driver’s license and your bank statement. We’ll provide more details for both below, but first, let’s look at what you’ll need to update your name in your official documents.

      You want to revert to your maiden name

      If you took your spouse’s last name after marriage, and all you want to do is revert to your birth name, here is what you will need.

      Assuming that the following is true:

      ●       Your marriage took place in the UK

      ●       Your divorce has been finalised in the UK

      You will need the following to change your name officially:

      ●       Your original marriage certificate

      ●       Your original birth certificate

      ●       A signed statement declaring that you’re switching back to your birth name for all purposes

      ●       Your Decree Absolute (or Final Order)

      What is a Decree Absolute (or Final Order), and how do I apply for one?

      Decree Absolute is is the final decree of divorce. A Decree Absolute is a court-issued document which confirms the date that your marriage has legally ended. Among other things, it gives you the right to remarry in the future.

      However, on 6 th April 2022 the law around divorce changed. If you have issued divorce proceedings after this date you will obtain a Final Order in divorce, instead of Decree Absolute.

      Either way, you will remain married until the Decree Absolute or Final Order. These bring the marriage to an end and confirm that you are formally divorced.

      Before you can apply for a Decree Absolute or Final Order, you’ll need a Decree Nisi or Conditional Order. This is a document that is issued once a judge approves you eligible for divorce under UK law. Here is more information from the UK government website about how to obtain a decree nisi.

      Here’s more information about applying for a Decree Absolute or Conditional Order to make your divorce final so that you can move forward with the name change process.

      If you’re missing any of the required documents

      If you’re missing any of the required documents, like your Decree Absolute/Final Order, marriage certificate, or your birth certificate, you have a couple of options.

      You can apply for copies of the missing documents, or you can simply get a deed poll (otherwise known as a change of name deed). Let’s examine both options so you can decide which one suits you better.

      Option 1 - Apply for copies for missing documents

      Here’s how you can apply for copies of the following documents.

      Missing Decree Absolute/Final Order

      If you’re missing your Decree Absolute/Final Order, you can get a copy from the court that issued the original one.

      You can find your court’s contact details for England/Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

      For decree absolutes issued in England/Wales, a copy costs £11 if you have the case number. If you don’t have the case number but you know which court issued the decree absolute or final order, you can ask them to search
      their records. It costs £45 to search a 10 year period.

      And if you’ve forgotten the court that issued your original Decree Absolute/Final Order, you’re still not out of luck. You can request the Principal Registry of the Family Division to look it up.

      Fill out the form D440: Request for Search for Decree Absolute, and send it to the following address, along with a payment of £50.

      Principal Registry of the Family Division

      First Avenue House 42-49 High Holborn

      LONDON

      WC1V 6NP

      Tel: 020 7421 8509 (Enquiries)

      Missing marriage/birth certificate

      You can contact the General Register Office to replace marriage and birth certificates. You can apply online, and each certificate will cost £11.

      Option 2 - Get a deed poll

      If you’re missing any of the required documents to change your name, and you don’t feel like applying for copies of your birth certificate, marriage certificate, or decree absolute, you could simplify the process significantly by getting a deed poll.

      What is a deed poll?

      In the UK, you’re allowed to change your name for any reason you wish legally. A deed poll is a document that makes your new name official.

      So, if you’ve recently been divorced, and you’re missing a document required to change your name, you can simply get a deed poll to make your name change official.

      A deed poll demonstrates the following information:

      ●       You have chosen a new name (which could be your maiden name or any other name you wish)

      ●       You have given up your old name (in this case your married name)

      ●       The date you start using your new name.

      How do I get a deed poll?

      Although accepted as an official document everywhere in the UK, there isn’t a government office where you can get a deed poll.

      You have to either instruct a solicitor to apply for a deed poll, or you can check out our fast, easy, and secure deed poll application process.

      You want to change to a name different than your maiden name

      If you want to change to a name different than your maiden name, you will need a deed poll.

      Presumably, none of your documents (marriage certificate, decree absolute, final order, birth certificate) will display the name you wish to change to, and you’ll have to make your name change official with a deed poll.

      Once you have the deed poll, you can use that as evidence of your new name to update various official documents.

      Your documents are not in English

      If you’re a UK national, but you are/were living abroad, and either your marriage or divorce wasn’t finalised in the UK and one of your documents isn’t in English, you again have a couple of options.

      You can get your documents translated to English by an accredited translator so UK government officials can accept them. Obtaining translations can often be quite expensive and involve a cumbersome process.

      Alternatively, you can get a deed poll to simplify the process and not have to go through the process of translation, either for your marriage certificate or divorce documents.

      You only need to change your title

      If all you want to do is change your title, e.g., from Mrs. back to Ms., then you don’t need a deed poll or any official name change process.

      You can simply start using your preferred title. Some official documents, like your passport, don’t even state your title.

      You’re not a UK citizen, but a resident of the UK

      If you’re a UK resident, and your marriage and divorce both took place in the UK, the same procedure applies to you for changing your name after a divorce.

      But if your birth certificate is not in English, you would need to get it translated by an accredited translator.

      You could also get a deed poll to simplify the process, but you should check with the embassy of your country of citizenship if they will accept a deed poll to issue a passport under your new name.

      How to change my name if my divorce hasn’t been finalised?

      If you’re currently separated, but your divorce hasn’t been finalised, and you want to change your name right away, you will need to use a deed poll.

      You’ll need a deed poll because you won’t get the decree absolute/final order, which is one of the documents necessary to change your name, till your divorce is finalised.

      How much does it cost to change my name after a divorce in the UK?

      There can be various costs involved with changing your name depending on your desired new name and the documents you’ll need to obtain.

      If you’re reverting to your maiden name, and you have all the required documents, then your costs will be relatively low. For example, you may only need to pay the fee for updating your passport (usually less than £100).

      It does not cost anything to change your name on your driver’s license.

      If you happen to be missing any documents, then you might have additional costs of applying for copies, as we explained above. If you need to have any documents translated, that will cost extra as well.

      Remember, if you’re missing any documents, or if any of your documents are not in English, you can always simplify the process with secure and easy deed poll application, which only costs £18.50.

      How do I change my name on my UK passport after a divorce?

      Typically, you don’t need a deed poll to change your name on your passport after a divorce. You’ll only need a deed poll if your divorce isn’t yet finalised, or if you’re missing any documents and you don’t want to apply for copies, have them translated etc.

      You’ll have to contact Her Majesty’s Passport Office to update your name. Here is their contact info:

      Her Majesty's Passport Office

      PO Box 767

      Southport

      PR8 9PW

      Tel: 0300 222 0000

       How do I change my name on my bank account after a divorce?

      Typically, the process is quite simple. You just need to visit a branch with evidence of your name change.

      Most banks accept official documents with your new name, like a deed poll, decree absolute, final order, driver’s license, passport, etc.

      To make sure you bring all the required documents, you might want to call your bank and ask what is necessary for your specific bank.

      How do I change my name on my driving license after a divorce?

      It doesn’t cost anything to update your name on your driver’s license after a divorce or separation. You simply need to apply with the DVLA with all the required documents.

      For detailed information on the process, check out our article on changing your name on your driver’s license.

      Final Thoughts

      If you decide to change your name after a divorce or separation, it is vital that you update your name on all your official documents, like your passport, driver’s license, bank account, employer, property documents, etc.

      As we explained in the article, if you have all your marriage/divorce documents that were issued in the UK, then those documents will be sufficient evidence of your name change.

      If you’re missing documents, or if any of them are not in English, then a deed poll might be a more straightforward option for you.

      How do I revert to my maiden name?

      Just as you changed your name when you married, the process for reverting back to your maiden name is similar..
      Marriage Certificate..
      Birth Certificate..
      Decree Absolute..
      Signed declaration stating that you are switching back to your Maiden name 'for all purposes. '.

      Can I change my name to something else after divorce?

      Every divorce is different, but in general, a divorce decree is issued by the court as a final summary of your divorce. A divorce decree is limited in scope and varies by state, but they typically allow you to change your name back to your maiden or previous last name.

      How do I change my name after divorce in Colorado?

      The act permits a party to a dissolution or legal separation action to request the restoration of his or her prior full name by filing a motion in the court that granted the divorce or legal separation. The ex-parte motion does not require notice to the other party to the divorce or legal separation.

      How do I change my name after divorce in NC?

      To revert to your maiden name during a divorce, all you need to do is request the name change in your divorce complaint (or answer to a complaint) and the change will be included on your divorce decree.