Can you keep your married name if you are divorced?
Asked by: Roxanne Kilback | Last update: February 2, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (69 votes)
Yes, you absolutely can keep your married name after a divorce; it's a personal choice, and your ex-spouse generally can't force you to change it back, though you'll need to follow administrative steps to update your documents if you do keep it. Many people choose to keep their married name for professional reasons, to share a name with children, or because they've used it for so long it feels like their own identity, while others change it for a fresh start, with the divorce decree often simplifying the legal process for restoring a former name.
Is it normal to keep your married name after divorce?
Keeping your married name after divorce is perfectly acceptable and often practical. Choose based on convenience, identity, safety, and professional considerations, and complete the administrative steps appropriate to your choice.
What is the biggest mistake during a divorce?
The biggest mistake during a divorce often involves letting emotions drive decisions, leading to poor financial choices, using children as weapons, failing to plan for the future, or getting bogged down in petty fights that escalate costs and conflict, ultimately hurting all parties involved, especially the kids. Key errors include not getting legal/financial advice, fighting over small assets, exaggerating claims, and neglecting your own well-being.
What happens to my name when I get divorced?
You can change your name at any stage of the divorce process. However, in order to change your name before obtaining your final order, it will be necessary to obtain a deed poll.
How do I switch my name back to my maiden name?
In most cases, you must file a petition with your local court to change your name. To do so, you may need to file paperwork and appear before a judge to complete the process. Find your local government website and contact your circuit court to get information about how you can legally change your name.
How does a court decide how to split your house and any money when you divorce? Family law explainer
Can I just change my name back to my maiden name?
If you get divorced or end a civil partnership
If you divorce or end a civil partnership, you can go back to using your previous surname without having to formally record the change.
Can my ex-wife still use my last name?
After a divorce, you cannot legally force your ex-spouse to change back to their maiden name. They have a right to keep whatever name change they chose in marriage, whether that's your last name or a hyphenated last name.
Are you still Mrs. after divorce?
You might like to be called 'Mrs. ' even after divorce, or you may prefer 'Ms' or 'Miss'. If you don't change your surname, you don't need to complete any legal documentation to change your title - just start using it. If you do alter it by deed poll, then you can specify your new title in that document.
Can I revert back to my original name?
Yes, you can almost always change your name back to a previous legal name, but it requires going through the formal legal process again, similar to your first name change, by filing a new petition with the court or utilizing specific options like a divorce decree. Whether you revert through a court order or divorce, you'll need to update all your official documents (Social Security, Driver's License, Passport, etc.) with the new court order or decree as proof.
What is the 10-10-10 rule for divorce?
The "10/10 Rule" in military divorce determines if a former spouse receives direct payments from the military pension, requiring at least 10 years of marriage that overlap with 10 years of the service member's creditable military service. If this rule is met, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) sends the court-ordered portion directly to the ex-spouse; if not, the service member pays the ex-spouse directly, though the court can still award a share of the pension. This rule affects how payments are made, not the eligibility for pension division itself, which is decided by state law.
What is the #1 thing that destroys marriages?
While different sources highlight various factors, many experts point to breakdown in communication, leading to contempt, disrespect, and lack of commitment, as the most destructive forces in a marriage, often manifesting as emotional distance, frequent criticism, and a feeling of being unheard or unloved. These issues erode trust and intimacy over time, with infidelity and power imbalances being extreme examples of these underlying problems.
What money can't be touched in a divorce?
Money that can't be touched in a divorce is typically separate property, including assets owned before marriage, inheritances, and gifts, but it must be kept separate from marital funds to avoid becoming divisible; commingling (mixing) these funds with joint accounts, or using inheritance to pay marital debt, can make them vulnerable to division. Prenuptial agreements or clear documentation are key to protecting these untouchable assets, as courts generally divide marital property acquired during the marriage.
Can a divorced woman still use her married name?
It is important to note that there is no legal obligation for you to change your name back to your maiden name after a divorce, the choice is yours. If you feel unsure as to whether you should change your name or keep your married name, our friendly team can help you decide what's best for you.
What do you call a married woman who keeps her maiden name?
A married woman who keeps her maiden name can be called Ms. (most common and neutral) or Mrs. (if she prefers to acknowledge her marital status, sometimes used as "Mrs. [Maiden Name]"), but Ms. is generally best as it doesn't reveal marital status, similar to "Mr." for men, making it suitable for professional or formal situations.
How to address a divorced woman who kept her married name?
After a divorce, if a woman keeps her married name, you can either use Mrs. or Ms. to address the guest followed by her first name and married name. If she is using her maiden name, then use Ms. along with her first name and maiden name. It's always best to find out what she prefers to go by.
Why do people keep their married name after divorce?
Some people may not want to deal with the hassle of changing their legal names on their driver's licenses or social security cards. Others may have built a personal or professional reputation with their married name and have no desire to revert back.
What happens to a marriage certificate after divorce?
After a divorce, it is critical to hold onto significant legal paperwork as it may be needed in the future. For instance, although you may want to discard your original marriage license and certificate, you should keep it in a safe place as you may need to reference it to affirm you and your spouse were married.
What title should a divorced woman use?
If she retains her former husband's last name (and many women do so that their surname will be the same as their children's) then Mrs. [or Ms.] Susan Reynolds is correct. If she reverts to her maiden name, Ms. is the correct title, as in "Ms.
What happens if I don't change my last name after divorce?
By default, it is expected that they will retain their married name unless they actively pursue a legal process to request a name change. Deciding whether to change your name after a divorce is a personal choice that carries both benefits and drawbacks.
Does a lady keep her title after divorce?
If a woman has retained her maiden name throughout the marriage her only decision, on becoming divorced, is whether she prefers to be Mrs, Miss or Ms Janie Jones, for example, or just Janie Jones with no title. Women who have assumed their husband's surname and are divorcing may prefer to revert to their maiden name.
Can I just go back to using my maiden name?
You sure can! Going back to your maiden name can be done without obtaining a deed poll. A decree absolute or final order entitles you to revert to your birth surname and is accepted as official documentation by all government bodies and companies across the UK.
How to legally go back to maiden name?
After your divorce
You will need the case number and name, and county where it was filed, to fill out your request. Fill out Ex Parte Application for Restoration of Former Name After Entry of Judgment and Order (form FL-395). This asks the court to change your name back to a former name.
Does changing my name affect my credit score?
No, changing your name doesn't directly affect your credit score because your history is tied to your Social Security number (SSN), not your name; however, you must proactively update your name with your creditors and credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax) using your new legal documentation (like an updated SSN card) to ensure your accounts and history are correctly linked and reported under your new legal name. Failure to do so can cause confusion or even temporary issues, while your old name will remain on your file as past identifying information.
Is it worth going back to a maiden name after divorce?
While some people choose to keep their married name, you may feel a strong pull to start fresh. Here are a few common reasons you might decide to make the change: Desire for a Clean Break: Letting go of your ex's last name can feel symbolic, like closing one chapter and beginning another on your own terms.