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Restoring Your Name After Divorce in Arkansas: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Arkansas Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

In Arkansas, you restore your former or maiden name after divorce through the divorce decree — request it in the divorce and the decree is your legal proof. There is usually no extra court fee. Then update Social Security first, then the DMV, then your passport. No newspaper notice is required.

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What it costs

Filing fee
$0 court fee

Restoring a former name is free when requested in the divorce under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-318

Court
Arkansas Circuit Court (through the divorce decree)

Circuit Court in the county where you live

Timeline
1–4 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-318, ask the circuit court to restore your former name (maiden, prior married, or other former legal name) as part of the divorce.

  2. 2

    The restored name is written into the divorce decree, so no separate name-change petition is needed.

  3. 3

    Get a certified copy of the divorce decree from the circuit clerk.

  4. 4

    Use the certified decree to update Social Security first, then Arkansas DFA driver services, your US passport, and your accounts.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

FormCodeOfficial link
Arkansas Judiciary court forms—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required
Background check: No background check
Good to know in Arkansas:
  • • Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-318 provides for restoration of a former name in the divorce decree, so request it before the divorce is final.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Arkansas license, then your passport and accounts.

Who to notify →Build my checklist →See my timeline →

Divorce name change in nearby states

Nevada →Mississippi →Iowa →Kansas →

Restoring Your Name After Divorce in Arkansas: FAQ

Can I restore my maiden name without paying again in Arkansas?
Usually yes. If you asked to restore your former name in your divorce, the decree is your proof at no extra cost. In Arkansas you can also request it after the fact.
What if I forgot to ask for my former name in the divorce in Arkansas?
You can still restore it. Arkansas lets you file a short request to restore your former name after the divorce is final — see the forms below.
Do I need to publish a notice to restore my name after divorce in Arkansas?
No. Restoring a former name through a divorce decree does not require newspaper publication in Arkansas.
What's the first ID to update after a divorce name change in Arkansas?
Social Security first (free, Form SS-5), then your Arkansas driver's license, then your passport and financial accounts.

Sources

Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:

See our verification methodology and themaster source list.

Last verified July 16, 2026Reviewed by the Name Change Atlas Editorial Team against official court and .gov sources.

We're re-confirming some fee details for this state against the county court. Always confirm the exact current fee with your court clerk before you file.