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

Verified against South Dakota Circuit Court (Unified Judicial System) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

In South Dakota, 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 as part of the divorce action

Court
South Dakota Circuit Court (through the divorce decree)

Circuit Court in the county where you have resided for at least six months

Timeline
1–4 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Ask the Circuit Court to restore your former or maiden name as part of your divorce action — this can be included in the pleadings and decree at no extra cost.

  2. 2

    If the divorce is already final and the decree did not restore your name, ask the clerk of courts about reopening the decree or filing a separate name-change petition (Form UJS-025).

  3. 3

    Obtain a certified copy of the divorce decree from the clerk of courts showing the restored name.

  4. 4

    Use the certified decree to update Social Security (Form SS-5), then Driver Licensing in person, then your passport and accounts.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Verified Petition for Adult Name Change (only if a separate petition is needed after divorce)UJS-025Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required
Background check: No background check
Good to know in South Dakota:
  • • The simplest path is to request restoration of your former name inside the divorce case; a stand-alone name-change petition (with its filing fee and publication) is only needed if the decree did not address it.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Divorce name change in nearby states

Delaware →North Dakota →Rhode Island →Alaska →

Restoring Your Name After Divorce in South Dakota: FAQ

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