{"id":1958,"date":"2016-01-02T08:14:00","date_gmt":"2016-01-02T13:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?p=1958"},"modified":"2015-12-14T08:39:48","modified_gmt":"2015-12-14T13:39:48","slug":"can-i-change-my-last-name-as-part-of-my-divorce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?p=1958","title":{"rendered":"Can I change my last name as part of my divorce?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"What's<\/a>

What’s my name?<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

As part of a divorce, one thing women may request is permission to change their last name.\u00a0 In those cases where the\u00a0one spouse\u00a0has assumed the surname of their now ex-spouse, dropping his last name can be a cathartic move.\u00a0 This post will outline the process of seeking a name change in a New Jersey Divorce.<\/p>\n

Can I change my last name after my divorce?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The simple answer is “Yes”.\u00a0 Asking the court to authorize a change in your surname is one form of relief a litigant in a NJ divorce case can request.\u00a0 It is important to note that you cannot force or require the other party to change their name as they are not required to do so.\u00a0 The choice lies with the individual who changed his or her name.<\/p>\n

Procedurally, this request should be contained in the Complaint for Divorce.\u00a0 Most importantly, it should be contained in the Final Judgment of Divorce and the Settlement Agreement.\u00a0 Having the name change established in a court order will streamline the process of changing your name with DMV, Social Security, and any other agency you may need to work with in order to effectuate the change.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Do I have to go back to my birth name?<\/strong><\/p>\n

While most people choose to go back to their birth name, doing so is not the only option.\u00a0 I have seen situations where the party wanted to re-assume the name from a prior marriage.\u00a0 Interestingly, when seeking a name change you ar NOT required to assume any of your former names.\u00a0 You can choose any last name you want! Start your post-divorce life with a brand new name!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What are the legal requirements to change my name?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The requirements are straightforward and make sense.\u00a0 Whether testimony on the following points is offered in person at the final hearing or contained in a certification, the court will want to know:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Your current surname<\/li>\n
  2. The surname you wish to adopt<\/li>\n
  3. Your social security number (generally just the last 4 digits)<\/li>\n
  4. The reasons you want to change your name<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    As for the reasons, the focus is that you are seeking the name change for personal reasons and not in an effort to avoid creditors or criminal charges.\u00a0 Assuming the request is being made in good faith and for personal reasons, the court will grant the request.\u00a0 Remember, that the name change request typically only pertains to the spouse.\u00a0 If a parent decides to change his or her last name as part of the divorce, it does not automatically allow for the last names of any children of the marriage to be changed.\u00a0 There is a process by which the last names of children can be changed, it is much more involved and by no means automatic.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      As part of a divorce, one thing women may request is permission to change their last name.\u00a0 In those cases where the\u00a0one spouse\u00a0has assumed the surname of their now ex-spouse, dropping his last name can be a cathartic move.\u00a0 … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[28],"tags":[40,30,29,32,124,47],"class_list":["post-1958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-durstfirm-news","tag-alimony","tag-custody","tag-divorce","tag-durst","tag-name-change","tag-nj"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6omM8-vA","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1097,"url":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?p=1097","url_meta":{"origin":1958,"position":0},"title":"Changing the last name of the child","author":"Sandy Durst","date":"June 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"It is common in divorce proceedings for the former wife to change her surname.\u00a0 The law allows her to adopt any surname, not just her maiden name, as long as it is not being done for fraudulent purposes or to avoid creditors or criminal prosecution.\u00a0 Recently, there has been an\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Durst Firm News"","block_context":{"text":"Durst Firm News","link":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?cat=28"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2479,"url":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?p=2479","url_meta":{"origin":1958,"position":1},"title":"Can I change my name after my divorce?","author":"Sandy Durst","date":"December 3, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"While more and more women are opting to keep their own surname when they get married, many still choose to adopt their husband's last name. \u00a0However, when the marriage ends, keeping his name may be an unpleasant reminder of the past. So the question becomes whether or not under New\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Durst Firm News"","block_context":{"text":"Durst Firm News","link":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?cat=28"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thedurstfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/600px-Hello_my_name_is_sticker.svg_.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thedurstfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/600px-Hello_my_name_is_sticker.svg_.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thedurstfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/600px-Hello_my_name_is_sticker.svg_.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3013,"url":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?p=3013","url_meta":{"origin":1958,"position":2},"title":"Can I change my last name after my divorce?","author":"Sandy Durst","date":"May 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Changing your surname after a divorce in New Jersey can be a meaningful step toward reclaiming your identity. Whether you're considering this change during the divorce process or years later, New Jersey law provides clear pathways to make it happen.\u200b Two Ways to a Name Change After Divorce Requesting a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Durst Firm News"","block_context":{"text":"Durst Firm News","link":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?cat=28"},"img":{"alt_text":"a woman reading a divorce decree paper","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thedurstfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pexels-photo-7876044.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thedurstfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pexels-photo-7876044.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thedurstfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pexels-photo-7876044.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thedurstfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pexels-photo-7876044.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thedurstfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pexels-photo-7876044.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thedurstfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pexels-photo-7876044.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":947,"url":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?p=947","url_meta":{"origin":1958,"position":3},"title":"Can I change my name after my divorce","author":"Sandy Durst","date":"November 8, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"After a divorce, many women wish to resume a former name. In NJ, there is a right to do this provided the name change is not being sought o avoid creditors or criminal prosecution. The decision to change names lies with the party who changed their name; this is typically\u00a0\u00a0still\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Durst Firm News"","block_context":{"text":"Durst Firm News","link":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?cat=28"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2812,"url":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?p=2812","url_meta":{"origin":1958,"position":4},"title":"Can I change my last name after my divorce is final?","author":"Sandy Durst","date":"May 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"What Legal Steps are Involved in Changing Your Last Name After a Divorce? Changing your last name after a divorce typically involves completing a few legal steps. First, you must obtain a copy of the divorce decree or court order that finalized the divorce. This document will be necessary to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Durst Firm News"","block_context":{"text":"Durst Firm News","link":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?cat=28"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1131,"url":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?p=1131","url_meta":{"origin":1958,"position":5},"title":"NJ Supreme Court gives both parents an equal voice in deciding last name of the child","author":"Sandy Durst","date":"August 13, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"In a recent NJ Supreme Court decision, the rights of the non-custodial parent were placed on equal footing with those of the parent of primary custody when it comes to establishing the surname of the child.\u00a0 This is an important development in the law for the non-custodial parent. \u00a0 Parents\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Durst Firm News"","block_context":{"text":"Durst Firm News","link":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/?cat=28"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1958"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1960,"href":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1958\/revisions\/1960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedurstfirm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}