How can married name be changed back to maiden name?

[MizQuirk]

My daughter wants to do this. She’s in Texas, and has been divorced for about ten years. Any idea of the cost? Does she need an attorney? Many thanks for any advice.

[Fear_Itself]

If the divorce is final, it appears all that is necessary is filing an application for name change.
TEXAS STATUTES
FAMILY LAW
SUBTITLE C. CHANGE OF NAME
CHAPTER 45. CHANGE OF NAME
45.105. CHANGE OF NAME IN DIVORCE SUIT.

§ 45.105. CHANGE OF NAME IN DIVORCE SUIT. (a) On the
final disposition of a suit for divorce, for annulment, or to
declare a marriage void, the court shall enter a decree changing the
name of a party specially praying for the change to a prior used
name unless the court states in the decree a reason for denying the
change of name. The court may not deny a change of name solely to
keep last names of family members the same.
(b) A person whose name is changed under this section may
apply for a change of name certificate from the clerk of the court
as provided by Section 45.106.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 7.10(a), eff. Sept. 1,
1997.
§ 45.106. CHANGE OF NAME CERTIFICATE. (a) A person
whose name is changed under Section 6.706 or 45.105 may apply to the
clerk of the court ordering the name change for a change of name
certificate.
(b) A certificate under this section is a one-page document
that includes:
(1) the name of the person before the change of name
was ordered;
(2) the name to which the person’s name was changed by
the court;
(3) the date on which the name change was made;
(4) the person’s social security number and driver’s
license number, if any;
(5) the name of the court in which the name change was
ordered; and
(6) the signature of the clerk of the court that issued
the certificate.
(c) An applicant for a certificate under this section shall
pay a $10 fee to the clerk of the court for issuance of the
certificate.
(d) A certificate under this section constitutes proof of
the change of name of the person named in the certificate.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 7.10(a), eff. Sept. 1,
1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, § 6.06, eff.
Sept. 1, 1999.

A cursory search turns up many services that will supply the necessary forms and directions for filing them for a small fee.

[AHunter3]

I’m pretty sure that unless there is intend to default, anyone in the United States can change their name simply because they feel like it.

[B_A_Bay]

@AHunter3

I’m pretty sure that unless there is intend to default, anyone in the United States can change their name simply because they feel like it.

This is correct but the issue is getting other people to go along with it. You can walk into the Driver’s Licence Department and say “I want to call myself John Doe,” but unless you present to them the proper papers they won’t change it. (Proper papers are any papers that particular DVM says are proper)

I had an employer that only issued name badges by your full legal name. No Bobby it was Robert. No Bobbie, it was Roberta (Unless you could bring in something like a birth certificate to show that Bobbie WAS your legal name and not a shortened version)

[chrisk]

@B_A_Bay

I had an employer that only issued name badges by your full legal name. No Bobby it was Robert. No Bobbie, it was Roberta (Unless you could bring in something like a birth certificate to show that Bobbie WAS your legal name and not a shortened version)

Did they require documentary evidence from everyone, or just anybody who wanted a badge issued for a name that ‘sounded like’ a nickname or diminutive?

[Gfactor]

@Fear Itself

If the divorce is final, it appears all that is necessary is filing an application for name change.

What you quoted is for those who included a request for a name change in the divorce case and got the court to order it. There may be a provision that allows post-judgment relief, but this isn’t it.

[Gfactor]

Here is information on ordinary name changes in Texas: http://texaslawhelp.org/documents/clusters/TX/194/English/AdultNameChange.shtml

How much does it cost to change my name?
It may cost a little over $230. The filing fee is about $230 in most counties. After your name is changed, there may be a $10 fee for the Change of Name Certificate and an additional charge for a certified copy of the Order. There may also be a small charge for notary services.

*Id. *

I recently got a divorce. Will my name automatically change back to my maiden name?
Your name will revert to your maiden name only if it was specified in your divorce decree. If not, you will need a court order to change your last name back to your maiden name.

*Id. *

[Baker]

When I got married I started using my husband’s name. Just had to change things like the driver’s license, notify Social Security and so on.

When I got unmarried I did the same thing. Didn’t fill out any forms or applications. It’s been thirty years and nobody has come after me.

Interestingly enough, the only agency that seems to care is the local blood bank. One question we’re asked when donating is “Have you ever donated under another name?” so I have to tell them that all those years ago I gave a couple of pints as Baker Smith, instead of Baker Jones.