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

Verified against New Hampshire Circuit Court, Probate Division and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

In New Hampshire, 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

Court
Circuit Court, Family Division (through the divorce decree)

Circuit Court, Probate Division in the county where you live

Timeline
1–4 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Ask the Family Division to restore your former name in the name-change section of your divorce petition or decree — under RSA 458:24 the court can restore a former name and it costs nothing.

  2. 2

    If the divorce is already final and no restoration was ordered, file a motion in the Family Division to restore your former name.

  3. 3

    Get a certified copy of the decree or order from the clerk.

  4. 4

    Use the certified order to update Social Security (Form SS-5), then the NH 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
Name Change (Family Division divorce)—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required
Background check: No background check
Good to know in New Hampshire:
  • • You do not need a separate probate name-change petition to return to a former name after divorce.
  • • Under RSA 458:24 the court may restore a former name whether or not it was requested in the original petition.

Then update your IDs

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

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Divorce name change in nearby states

Hawaii →Maine →West Virginia →Montana →

Restoring Your Name After Divorce in New Hampshire: FAQ

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