Once you’ve been before the judge, and your divorce has been granted, reverting back to your original name is not any more difficult than changing it when you got married. 

In most cases, you will just need to notify people, companies and organizations of your new name.  You will have to change the name with Social Security, and with some organizations, you may need to provide proof in the form of the court order granting your divorce. A name change kit from Legalzoom can make it easy!

There is no time limit on when you may change your name following your divorce, but make sure that you have the proper documentation handy when you do want to go back to your own name.

     

Reasons some women choose to keep their husband’s name after a divorce include keeping some continuity where their children are concerned. 

There is nothing you can do to force someone else to change their name, so if you are marrying someone with an ex, there is nothing you can do if they make the decision to retain the name they shared with their former spouse.