Make a Payment
850-572-3443
Getting divorced in Florida means you can legally restore your former name through the court system. The process involves specific legal requirements and proper documentation.
We at Christine Sue Cook, LLC understand how important reclaiming your identity can be after divorce. Learning how to change your name after divorce in Florida requires following state statutes and court procedures correctly.
Florida Statute 61.18 grants you the absolute right to restore your former name during divorce proceedings, but only if you request it properly in your initial petition. The statute requires your full former name to appear clearly in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage to avoid costly errors in the final judgment. Courts in Florida processed numerous divorces in recent years, with many women choosing to restore their maiden names through this streamlined process.
You must include your name restoration request in your original divorce petition or file an amendment before the final hearing. Florida courts will not add name changes to completed divorce decrees, which forces you into a separate $400 name change proceeding if you miss this deadline. The Clerk of Courts requires your request to specify your complete former name exactly as it appeared on official documents before marriage. An amendment during active divorce proceedings typically costs under $50 (compared to hundreds of dollars for post-divorce name change petitions).
Florida courts require your certified birth certificate that shows your former name and proof of your current married name through marriage certificates or driver’s licenses. The judge must approve your name restoration request, but approval becomes automatic when requested during divorce proceedings unlike standalone name change petitions that require background checks and fingerprints. Your final judgment must explicitly state the name change approval to serve as your legal authorization document.
Within 30 days of the judge’s signature, obtain at least three certified copies of your final judgment from the Clerk’s Office. Most agencies require original certified documents for name updates (not photocopies or digital versions). The West Palm Beach Clerk’s Office operates Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm for certified copy requests. These certified documents become the foundation for all subsequent name change updates across various institutions and government agencies.
The most cost-effective approach involves requesting name restoration directly in your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage rather than filing a separate name change petition later. Your attorney must specify your complete former name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate in the original petition documents. 85 percent of married women in Florida simply drop their maiden names and take up their husband’s last name, making name restoration during divorce proceedings a common request.
Missing this opportunity forces you into a standalone name change proceeding that costs approximately $400 in filing fees plus additional attorney costs.
Florida courts typically approve name restoration requests without requiring separate hearings when included in divorce proceedings (unlike standalone name change petitions that mandate background checks and fingerprint submissions). The judge reviews your name change request during the final divorce hearing and includes the approval in your Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. Most Florida circuit courts process these requests within 15-30 days after the final hearing, depending on the court’s current caseload. Your attorney should confirm that the final judgment explicitly states the approved name change, as this document serves as your legal authorization for all future name updates with government agencies and financial institutions.
Obtain multiple certified copies of your final judgment immediately after the judge signs the document, as most institutions require original certified copies rather than photocopies for name change verification. The clerk’s office in your county courthouse issues these certified copies for approximately $10-15 each, and you should request at least five copies to handle simultaneous updates across multiple agencies. Processing time for certified copies ranges from same-day service to one week (depending on your county’s procedures and current workload).
Once you have your certified court documents in hand, the next step involves updating your legal documents and records with various government agencies and institutions.
Start with your Social Security Administration name change immediately after you receive your certified court documents, as this update triggers all other government record changes. Submit Form SS-5 along with your certified divorce decree to any SSA office. The SSA processes name changes free of charge, typically within 10-15 business days. Once your new Social Security card arrives, you have exactly 10 days under Florida law to update your driver’s license at any Division of Driver Licenses office.
Florida requires in-person visits for name changes and charges a $25 fee for new license issuance. Bring your current license, certified court order, updated Social Security card, and proof of citizenship to avoid processing delays.
The Division of Driver Licenses accepts no online applications for name changes (unlike renewals or address updates). Most offices complete the process within one visit, though peak times may require appointments scheduled several days in advance.
Contact your bank immediately after you receive your updated Social Security card, as financial institutions freeze accounts with mismatched names during routine security checks. Most major banks accept certified copies of divorce decrees for name changes, but credit unions often require both the court order and updated Social Security documentation. Notify credit card companies within 15 days to prevent account restrictions, and update your mortgage, insurance policies, and investment accounts simultaneously to maintain consistent financial records.
Update your employment records with human resources within your first week back at work, providing certified copies of your name change documents for payroll, tax withholding, and benefits administration updates. Request updated debit and credit cards immediately, as banks typically issue new cards within 5-7 business days. Professional licenses, certifications, and union memberships also require updates to prevent complications with future renewals or job applications.
Name restoration after divorce in Florida becomes simple when you request it in your original divorce petition. This approach saves hundreds of dollars compared to separate name change proceedings filed later. The process demands certified court documents, systematic updates with government agencies, and careful coordination across financial institutions.
Professional legal guidance makes the difference between smooth name restoration and costly mistakes. We at Christine Sue Cook, LLC help clients navigate Florida’s family law requirements with compassionate support and proven expertise. Our team handles the complex documentation and proper procedures (which protect your interests throughout divorce proceedings).
Your former name represents your independence and fresh start after divorce. Christine Sue Cook, LLC offers free consultations to discuss how to change your name after divorce in Florida without financial pressure. Florida law provides clear pathways for name restoration when you follow the correct procedures with qualified legal assistance.
