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

Verified against California Superior Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

In California, 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; a separate FL-395 request after judgment is also free

Court
Superior Court (through the divorce judgment or Form FL-395)

Superior Court in the county where you live

Timeline
1–4 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Ask the court to restore your former name inside your divorce petition or judgment — there is a box to request this and it costs nothing.

  2. 2

    If the divorce is already final and you did not request it, file Form FL-395 (Ex Parte Application for Restoration of Former Name After Entry of Judgment).

  3. 3

    Get a certified copy of the judgment or the signed FL-395 order from the clerk.

  4. 4

    Use the certified order to update Social Security, then the DMV, then your passport and accounts.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Ex Parte Application for Restoration of Former Name After Entry of JudgmentFL-395Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required
Background check: No background check
Good to know in California:
  • • You do not need a full separate name-change petition to return to a former name after divorce — the divorce case handles it.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Divorce name change in nearby states

Texas →Florida →New York →Pennsylvania →

Restoring Your Name After Divorce in California: FAQ

Can I restore my maiden name without paying again in California?
Usually yes. If you asked to restore your former name in your divorce, the decree is your proof at no extra cost. In California you can also request it after the fact.
What if I forgot to ask for my former name in the divorce in California?
You can still restore it. California 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 California?
No. Restoring a former name through a divorce decree does not require newspaper publication in California.
What's the first ID to update after a divorce name change in California?
Social Security first (free, Form SS-5), then your California 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.