Change Back to My Maiden Name While Still Married. Without a Divorce!
Reversing your name change within your existing marriage is tricky. If you're struggling with this dilemma, know that you're not alone. Does a quick fix exist? Let's find out.
Right question, wrong answer
We've gotten thousands of name change questions throughout the years. Sprinkled amongst them are interesting edge cases. At first glance, they're not what they appear.
Here's a curious example:
- I want my maiden name back!
- Can I change back to my maiden name without a divorce?
- How do I change back to my maiden name while still married?
The first appears to be folks pursuing divorce and wanting their maiden name restored. Simple enough. Just ask the judge to restore it within your divorce decree. Done!
The last two questions are ambiguous. Are they separated or getting divorced, yet haven't finalized it? Are they getting antsy, wanting to get their old name back early?
But what about someone who:
- Is happily (or unhappily) married.
- Regrets their name change.
- Wants to get back their maiden name.
- Isn't interested in divorce, remarriage, or court orders.
Online queries (ignoring the nuances) will often yield two common solutions:
- Get divorced. (Sigh!)
- Petition the court for a name change. (Ugh!)
These suggestions aren't wrong per se. But they might be overkill.
You just want a reset!
Does it come down to regret? You feel sorry you changed your name. You want your maiden name and identity back. Your reasons could be personal, professional, or a mix.
It doesn't matter. You're tired of litigating your decision. You just want things undone. Maybe you'll change it again later. Maybe not. But, let's just start over.
Just petition the court. Right?
Conventional wisdom suggests you've got one shot at name change through marriage. Undoing it means petitioning the court for a second name change:
- Court forms
- Hefty filing fees
- Courthouse hearings
- Local newspaper publication
- Soul-crushing headache and time wasted
No wonder people bury their name change sorrows as lessons learned. It's too late. Take your medicine. Wallow in self-loathing. Because the fix is too much trouble!
But is there an easier way? A secret corridor? Yes!…
Name correction to the rescue
It's always great to share a bonafide name change trick. Not a loophole. But a real, sanctioned, unambiguous solution. Its existence is remarkable, dating back to 2011.
And now, without further ado…
The SSA offers a lifetime return policy on name changes. You can return your married name for your maiden name (or any prior name held). Or exchange it for another new name.
And here's the kicker…
You can use your marriage certificate to get back your maiden name on your social security card. You don't need to get divorced or petition the court.
Yes, you can reuse the same marriage certificate used to change your name after marriage to undo that regretted name change. The cert giveth and taketh away.
This remedy works well for those who use our online name change kit to complete the name change process. Same as an initial marital name change.
Correction, reversal, undo, revert, flip-flop, u-turn
The SSA calls this a name correction; it's more of a name reversal or reset. Name reversions for marriage resemble regular name changes and follow the same procedures.
You can return to your maiden name for marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships using your marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership certificate.
Starting the name reversal process
The process for getting your maiden name back is the same for initial marriage name changes. See our social security card name change guide for what to do. The basic steps are:
- Mail the SSA form.
- Include your identification.
- Include your marriage certificate.
Deadlines and time limits
There's no deadline or timeline to undo or redo your married name change. You can pursue it right after you've changed your name or years later. The procedure remains the same.
Start over or forge a new path
The allure of a name reversal is the flexibility and breathing room it offers. You're not limited to a single name change retraction. You can seek consecutive revisions.
For instance, if you're struggling with uncertainty, you can revert, get your new SSN card, then either stop or plow ahead with yet another fresh name change.
Maximum do-overs
The SSA allows unlimited social security card name reversals and revisions. But over three changes within the same marriage will raise red flags.
If the field office thinks something fishy is going on, they'll consult the regional office. Impetuousness isn't a crime; you're okay as long as your pursuit is legit.
Vast name change reversal options
You're not relegated to just returning to your maiden name. You can change to any of the following names, whatever your current name is:
- Birth or maiden name
- Any prior name
- Spouse's last name
- Hyphenated last names
- Space-separated last names
- Part of spouse's compound surname
We'll elaborate on each of the above with the following examples.
1. Birth or maiden name change example
Let's say your maiden name is Rose Garcia, married Jordan Moore, changed your name to Rose Moore, then back to Rose Garcia. This rollback sequence works.
2. Any prior name example
Imagine you're on your second marriage; both times, taking your spouse's surname. Name reversal lets you return to any prior last name: maiden or ex-spouse's.
3. Spouse's last name example
Suppose your name was Ryan Lee, married Josh Clark, then hyphenated to Ryan Lee-Clark. Now you wish to just take your spouse's surname as Ryan Clark. You can do this.
4. Hyphenated last names example
Let's say your name was Ann Hall, married Ari Smith, then hyphenated to Ann Hall-Smith. You can reorder surnames, drop the hyphen for a space, or restore your birth name.
You can read our extended article covering the pros and cons of hyphenating your last name after marriage. (Whether coming to or from this direction).
5. Space-separated last names example
When you combine your last names with a space instead of a hyphen, it's referred to as a double-barreled name change, which can be undone just like a hyphenated name.
Yes, we understand that the strict definition of "double-barreled" could technically include hyphenation, but in practical terms, most people associate it with a space separator.
6. Part of spouse's compound surname example
If you were Jane King, married Mark Allen-Hill, then changed your name to Jane Allen-Hill, you can later shift to Jane Allen or Jane Hill. The dropped part must be a whole word.
Will this truly work? Reassure me!
The strategy of reversing your name change is well-documented and approved in POMS RM 10212.150 and POMS RM 10212.155: the SSA's operations manual.
There's even a documented example of this "I want my maiden name back" scenario in POMS RM 10212.160H:
Ruth Gonzalez changed her last name on her SSN card to her husband’s surname, Scott, when they married years ago but has never used that name. She is requesting a change in SSA records back to her maiden name, Gonzalez.
Her marriage document shows Ruth Gonzalez married Lou Scott. The new name requested (in this case the maiden name, Ruth Gonzalez), can be derived from the marriage document.
In addition, Ruth submits her driver’s license in the new name (Ruth Gonzalez). Ruth's legal name and identity have been established following RM 10212.150C, and the name correction can be processed.
Name correction example quoted from POMS RM 10212.160H.
But we were still skeptical. Maybe these sources were outdated or deprecated. So we contacted several SSA field offices at random, posing this hypothetical:
If someone changed their last name through marriage, will the SSA let them return to their maiden name using the same marriage certificate?
Name change undo query posed to SSA agents.
Responses from SSA agents fell into two buckets:
- No, you need a court order to change your name again.
- Yes, it's doable using your marriage certificate.
When we brought up the relevant POMS article, nos shifted to either:
- Hold on, let me look that up.
- Hold on, let me speak with my supervisor.
Soon after, every no concluded with either:
- Yes, it's possible after all.
- Yes, this works. I hadn't heard of this before.
Don't take a chance; plan for success
Considering that several SSA agents weren't aware of name reversal protocols, do yourself a favor and include a note referencing the pertinent POMS articles when filing:
I'm submitting a name correction for my current marriage per POMS RM 10212.150 and RM 10212.155 and RM 10212.160H.
Example notice to SSA field office agent.
You can go further by printing each POMS article and attaching it to your paperwork.
Caveats, fine print, and gotchas
Reversing your marriage name change with the SSA is simple, but this technique is only guaranteed to work with them. For instance, your state DMV might not agree.
When should I use this?
Name change undo, redo, reversal, or switcheroos work best when the only agency you've updated is the SSA. This allows you to start with a clean slate.
When should I rethink my name do-over?
You may have gone too far down the rabbit hole to turn back once you've updated many IDs, such as your driver's license and passport.
This is the downside and danger; changing your name with one government entity only to have another scoff. They may even want you to reverse your reversal.
Name change reversal concluding thoughts
Undoing the name change on your social security card for your current marriage is doable. The SSA paperwork is the same. If you're yearning for a reset, here's your chance.
If you're looking for an efficient way to complete your name change undo, redo, or reversal, our online name change kit can help guide you along the way.
I am married but I want to change back to the name I had prior to getting married. I need to change all of my credit cards, passport and driver's license. I live in Maryland is that going to be an issue?
Hi Kiki. Yes, that will likely be an issue since you've gone all the way with your name change. Reversals work best when you've just crossed the edge with your social security card instead of updating everything.
My husband ms ex wife took back her maiden name (in Oklahoma) when divorce was final, many years ago. Recently she has had some legal issues and we discovered she is now using my husband name again. Are both legal or should she be using name court granted her at divorce?
The maiden name granted to your husband's ex in the divorce decree is nonbinding. She isn't required to change her name to match.
I'm in California and would like to get my maiden name back with social security. I changed my name to my husband's when I got married in mid 1990's but don't want to pay for a costly divorce just to get my maiden name back.
I have never used my married name and my drivers license, credit cards and everything has my maiden name. How can I get social security to change my married name back to my maiden?
You would use a certified copy of your marriage certificate to rollback your name change. The instructions in the social security name change guide explains the process.
Thank You so much, I’ll do it as soon as I get my official copy of the marriage license.
I only got the I.D. when I got married never changed the social. I'm not divorced after 10 yrs separated but I am trying to get my I.D. Now with maiden name, all food stamps and medical are under maiden name, but my I.D. isn't. How do I get the DMV to let me get a I. D. with maiden name?
Hi Bobbi. The procedure from over a decade ago is unlikely to be the same as today. You were able to update your ID before your social security card. These days the order is reversed: SS card first, then ID (i.e., driver's license or state-issued ID).
You'll have to contact the DDS and ask them the procedure to match your ID with your current social security record. It needs to be resolved eventually as when it comes time to renew your ID, it won't match your social security record.
Well, I was happily married for forty-two years, then widowed. I have been thinking about reverting to my maiden name. I think I can with SSA, but will it work with the DOL? I do have my husband's death certificate, our marriage certificate, an old passport with maiden name, current passport with married name, and birth certificate. Do I have a chance in Washington State?
Hi Linda. The SSA does have a carve-out for widows, but I don't believe WA DOL does.
I was with my husband for 24 years, we've been separated for 6. At first we didn't divorce because it was costly and we had one minor child still at home.
He currently has many health problems and says he would like to stay married so that if he passes away I can receive benefits, to sort of make up for the years of not being able to help financially.
We have an amicable relationship at this point. I have been in a relationship with someone for over a year and would like to change my last name to his. We have no plans to get married. Is it possible for me to do that without divorcing?
Yes, but you would have to petition the court for a name change. You could use a marriage certificate, as it would only apply to your current marriage. You've ruled out a divorce decree, which leaves a court order as the only viable name change document available.
I got married a couple years ago and my name was changed to my husbands last name on my SS card and driver’s license. I want to revert to my maiden name without divorce. Is this possible? (Without the court order)
Hi Eunice. Yes, for your social security card. But it may be a problem with your driver's license.
Hello, I haven't changed my married name to my maiden for years. How long will the process take? What are the legal fees to get started? Any information will help. Thank you.
Hi Amari. You're looking at 7 to 14 days for social security card turnaround times. You may want to review the expanded name change guide that covers a variety of credentials with their own processing times.
Why is it so difficult to change your married name back to your maiden name on your Social Security and license while still married? I'm in the state of North Carolina and I've contact the courthouse and everyone who I spoken to said no you cannot change your married name back to your maiden name while still being married.
You have to have a divorce but why would I need to go through all that process just to change my name back if I'm continue to be with my husband?
All I want to do is have my maiden name back my identity and I don't think it it's none of no one's business why but of course they're going to ask questions, but why is everybody making a big deal out of it??
Hi Denise. Those who work in the courthouse are not social security employees. They're taking a macro view of name change where the prime methods are marriage, divorce, and court orders. Expecting them to know the nuances of social security, driver's license, or passport name change procedures is too much to expect.
The courthouse isn't the go-to for your situation. They're only concerned with name changes via court petitions. That's their lane.
I am widowed 3 years now and want my maiden name back. How do I do this? I don't understand why using my name has to be so difficult and costly. I was born with that name?
Hi Nancy. When you're widowed, you could use your marriage certificate to restore your maiden name.
Even for DL? And any thing else my married name is on?
Hi Nancy. In which state do you need to change your driver's license?
It's worth a shot to try to change your ID with your marriage certificate and your husband's death certificate. And a birth certificate and possibly an old passport.
Thank you so much for your article. Can I use my old SS card with my maiden name instead of the new one? Or do I have to change the name back to my maiden name again and have exactly the same card but with the new date? Thank you!
If you don't change your name, your old SSA card with your maiden name would not be valid since it doesn't match your current SSA record.
This is moot, since they will send you a new card if you do change your name. You should use the new card anyway, just in case they've built in new security features since your last card.
I got married but didn't change my license or social security card. Can I use my maiden name to file for a divorce since I never changed my last name from my maiden with the dmv or social security office?
Since you never changed your name, you should use your maiden name, as it is still your current legal name.
My SS card and my DL and birth certificate all have my maiden name. I regretfully changed my passport to have my married name. Can I get a new passport with my maiden name using all my original documents (SS, DL, birth cert) without having a court order? My divorce is going to take years sadly. thanks :-/
Hi Lucy. You may be able to do this by pursuing a new passport using form DS-11, reserved for first-time, expired, lost, damaged, or stolen passports.
I got married and took my husbands last name on my marriage certificate. I never filed with Social security, DMV or other agencies. My drivers license and passport still have my maiden name because I don’t want to take my husbands last name.
Do I still have to file with social security and get a new card because my marriage certificate with the name change? I want my maiden name back.
You can skip your name change altogether.
You already have your maiden name back, since you have updated no identification documents.
Hi, when I got married in California last year, I put my new last name as my husband's last name on my marriage certificate. However, I haven't changed my name with SS, DMV, credit cards, etc yet. Now, I've decided to keep my maiden name. It seems like I don't need to do anything since I haven't changed my name legally.
However, my marriage certificate states that my new last name is my husband's last name. How do I change my marriage certificate to show that my legal last name is my maiden name and not my husband's last name? Thanks!
Correct.
You can ignore it. No federal or state entity will get pinged about your name not changing.
You can't. Such amendments are for errors and typos. The married name on your marriage certificate is nonbinding.
Hi,
I recently got married. When applying for my marriage license, I originally wanted to change my name from Ann (First Name) Marie (Middle Name) Johnson (Last Name) to Ann Marie (FN) Johnson (MN) Smith (LN/Spouse Name).
However, at the California County Clerk’s office, I was told I couldn’t change my first name. I didn’t want to drop my maiden name either, so I had it done as Ann (FN) Marie Johnson (MN) Smith (LN).
Is it possible to change my name to have my first 2 names as my first name with SSA using my marriage license only or will it need a court order?
You will need a court order to pursue a change to your first name.
I was married several years ago and changed my last name to my partner's on my social security and driver's license, but my passport still has my maiden name. I am not getting divorced, but I do want to switch back to my original name. Will this work even though I have changed my driver's license?
Hi Aimee. Yes, for social security. You may need a court order for your driver's license. Your passport isn't changing, so nothing to do there.
Hi! Specifically in Minnesota, if I go back to my maiden name only because I miss my maiden name, will it be difficult to change my drivers license as well? I am going to SSA to change it there, and I really really hope it’s just as easy to change it on my license
Hi Hailey. Same thing. You may need a court order for your driver's license.
I filed for a name change in my divorce decree, but I have changed my mind and want to keep my married name. Am I allowed to do that? If so and you decide later on I want to change it since it's already in the decree can I?
Hi DeeDee. The name change in your divorce decree is nonbinding. You can go through with it, or ignore it. If you decide to revert your name later, your divorce decree is still good for use.
Would I be able to change my last name to my mother's maiden name or my partners last name, without being married to that partner?
Hi Anny. No, would you need a formal name change event that authorizes your name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
I got married late 2022. I kept my middle name and took my husband’s last name, but I’ve been thinking of turning my maiden name into my new middle name (and getting rid of my original middle name completely)
I received my official Marriage Cert, and updated my SS, but have not updated my drivers license or passport yet.
Does the same procedure apply? Would the original marriage certificate suffice, or will they say the names on the application and marriage certificate don’t match and decline the request?
Hi Marie. Does your marriage certificate specify a new name (middle and last)? Or does it just show your current legal name at the time of application, and perhaps your maiden name? It would help further if you could cite the U.S. state (or non-U.S. country) where you married.
If you didn’t do this yet please don’t do this. I did it any no one uses my middle name. I’m literally going to court tomorrow to revert to my maiden name, I’m an established professional and it has been a train wreck.
If you want to use your maiden name hyphenate, have a two word last name, or don’t change your name. Just my two cents.
I wish I had read this comment 4 months ago.
I got divorced and opted to revert to my maiden name. Although for years after my divorce I kept using my hyphenated married last name, but then when I got my first passport they forced me to use my maiden name since it was on the divorce decree and I was also forced to update my ID and DL. But I’d still like to use my married last name (it’s hyphenated).
How would I officially revert back to using my hyphenated last name? I think it starts with being issued a new SS card right? Will I need to go to court for that?
Hi Kay. You may be able to get a new passport using Form DS-11, which is for new, lost, and damaged passports. You would submit your birth certificate, not your marriage certificate.
Hi! Your advise totally worked and I was able to go back to my maiden name through social security. However, I went to the DMV, and they can’t change the name on my drivers license back to my maiden name even with proof I changed it through social security. They said I have to have a court order which is what I was trying to avoid altogether. Any advice? Thanks in advance!
Hi Yaima. While it's great that your name reversal worked for the SSA, it looks like you did get caught in the caveat referenced near the end of the article. To satisfy the DMV, you would have to pursue a court order. The alternative is to reverse your reversal to match your old driver's license.
And a note about court ordered name changes… it may be more work than a simple marital name change, but it may not be as complex as most people imagine.
The lengthiest part is fulfilling the newspaper publication requirement, but many states do not even require publication (see linked table). Of course, there's the filing fee, but not every state makes it expensive. And not every state even requires a hearing.
Hi, I went to the social security office today and requested to update my name back to my maiden name.
She told me that I will get my card within two weeks. However, I wasn't given any receipt or paper. Is that normal?
I am concerned cause the person seems like she had no idea and when I showed her the POMs, she wasn't reading it. Thanks for your help!
Not getting a receipt after your in-person business is concluded is not unusual. Not everyone gets one.
She may have recognized your circumstance and procedure, where reviewing the extra POMS documents was unnecessary.
This worked for me for reverting to my maiden name without divorce/separation paperwork!! Pretty much went as the article said, with the office workers being completely unaware of this exception. POMS 10212.155 seems to be the more accurate one to reference. My experience:
(1) I went into office, they looked up the POMS numbers referenced in the article, but cited that it didn't match the "name change/correction" rules. Despite the example in the POMS directly with my exact scenario. They said they'd escalate my case to a regional officer but I never heard back.
(2) I returned another day with POMS 10212.155 printed out and highlighted. Got a more friendly person who looked at the printout and entered in my information (using my marriage certificate as the proof of name change). Got my card in the mail a week later.
The second time I went, I didn't mention divorce/separation, as they got caught up in insisting on that paperwork without reading the POMS exceptions.
Thanks a ton for this site, it was the only one I found with the right information (including the tip that you just have to return and talk to someone different sometimes!)
What if you are a tourist that decided to get married in the U.S. but now want to go back to maiden name? I only care about changing it back in the U.S.
Are you a non-U.S. citizen wanting to return to your maiden name in another country? Are you looking to change your name on USCIS-issued documents?
Hello
I was married a few years ago and told that I had to change my name in Georgia not knowing that was false Info. I hyphenated my last name and my husband's name. Well I just found out I could have kept my name.
I never changed it on my marriage license or application. I tried to use my license at DMV and was denied even though the probate court where I got my marriage license told me I could use it and it should be fine. What can I do in my situation? I only want to change it for business purposes.
Thank you
Where did you hyphenate? On a document or ID?
Would you clarify what name you're trying to change to? A hyphenated name or a return to your maiden name? I'm assuming the latter, but it's not clear.
Have you considered using your maiden name informally or registering a DBA in your maiden name?
Hi there,
I was married in 2019 and updated my name by dropping my existing middle name and replacing with my maiden name and took my husbands last name. So if my name was Jane Doe Kelly and I married Mark Green, my name is now Jane Kelly Green. We are happily married but I can’t shake the fact that I feel I have given up my identity, even though I still hold on to my Maiden name in some capacity as my new middle name …
I’ve since updated my SS card and my passport, but not my drivers license. Am I out of luck now to easily completely revert?
Do drivers licenses include middle names and can I still go by Jane Kelly for all intensive purposes since it’s technically my middle name now?
Thanks for your input!
You can revert your SS card. Passport may be possible too using form DS-11, which can be used for first-time applicants, as well as for passports that are expired, lost, damaged, or stolen.
Yes, your driver's license would list your middle name.
You can if you update your documents. Otherwise, you can go by it informally.
How do I revert my SS card? For a new passport via DS-11 / DS-64, if the name is reverted upon the new paperwork, would that raise flags? Thanks in advance.
Hi JDK. You'd revert your social security card the same way you changed your name in the first place: using form SS-5 and a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
It wouldn't raise red flags for your passport, because it wouldn't involve your marriage certificate. You'd use your birth certificate and driver's license for your passport application.
Additionally, for the SS change, can I do this via mail? Or do I have to visit an office in person? (closest one to me is 1.5 hours away…) If mail would suffice, what documents would give me the best chance of success?
Hi JDK. You can submit your social security application by mail or in person. Please pay special attention to the section of this article where it talks about printing a copy of the three POMS resources to include with your paperwork for good measure.
Hi,
I am getting married and have to check the box if i want a name change. I will be moving to the USA soon (I’m European and will get a green card). It isn’t a habit for people in my country to change names and I haven’t decided yet. My fiancé says I can decide on keeping my name now and changing it later (after arriving). Is that via court order then or is there an easier way?
Thanks!
Hi Eline. You can change the name on your green card using a certified copy of your marriage certificate and USCIS Form I-90.
Thanks!
Hello, my wife and I got married 4 years ago and she initially took my last name. However now she has decided that she wants to go back to her maiden name and we actually decided to double barrel our surnames. Is there a way for us to do this through this SSA process? Or does this require the courts to be involved?
Ex. John Smith married Jane Doe then they were John Smith and Jane Smith. But now want to be John Doe Smith and Jane Doe Smith
Hi Nick. She can make the change, but not all states allow a husband to take their wife's name without a court order. Could you specify the state you plan to make the change in?
We're in Ohio
Hi Nick. She could make the change, but you would have to go to court.
I got divorced 6 years ago and kept my married name but now I want to go back to my maiden name, will the SSA process work and do you think the DMV would allow this? Will this work to change my passport? Do you know if I can petition the court to change it without having to pay the ridiculous fees since I got divorced or did I have to do that AT THE TIME of my divorce petition? I live in Florida.
Hi J. Hagen. If your divorce decree has an order restoring your maiden name, you should use that document for every government agency.
Hi – The Colorado DMV website says that residents "may change their name to names present on their marriage/civil union certificate" and also lists certified birth certificates as "acceptable name change documents."
I would like to change my hyphenated name ("Birthname-Spousename") back to my birthname. My birthname is the one on file with SSA and it is listed on the original marriage certificate. Decades ago, the DMV would not allow me to make this change (they wanted a divorce decree–but I'm happily married).
My marriage certificate was recorded over 30 years ago. Are there any problems I should anticipate here? Thanks so much.
Hi October. You'll have to go into the DMV with a certified copy of your marriage certificate along with a certified copy of your birth certificate. It's important that your marriage certificate show your maiden name and spouse's last name to indicate how your hyphenated name was formed.
Make it clear to them you have a credential inconsistency that has lasted years, where your social security record has not changed, but your driver's license is out of step with federal identification. Also clarify that you are not divorcing or planning to divorce. You just need your records aligned. Any supporting documentation showing the use of your maiden name is helpful.
You may be able to get your driver's license matched up with these documents without resorting to obtaining a court order. But it may very well come down to the interpretation and leniency of the agent who handles your application.
Hi Tyrone. Thanks so much for this helpful detailed advice. You were right about the leniency of the agent–the one I just talked to (by phone) was fine with me changing my name with a thirty-year old marriage certificate… as long as that was the *first and only* change. However, she considered dropping the hyphenated name a *second* change rather than a restoration/alignment to my federal ID, therefore requiring a second document (a court order).
Adapting some advice you'd given elsewhere on this site, we looked into Colorado's marriage licensing and learned we could be issued a new license (technically for a 'vow renewal') and self-solemnize it via signatures in a one-stop trip to the Recorder's Office for $30. This is much cheaper, faster, and less onerous than Colorado's court ordered name change procedure. Plus it amused our kids that our renewed vows are "we will outfox bureaucracy together."
The new license will be issued in the hyphenated Birthname-Spousename shown on my state ID, but I'm making sure that Birthname alone is also present somewhere on the document, just in case ("Coloradans may change their name to names present on their marriage/civil union certificate") and will present this new marriage license to the DMV to change back to my birth name.
In case it helps any other regretfully-hyphenated folks: though the Colorado DMV refused to let me drop the hyphenation on the name line of my license in years past, they did permit me to drop it in my signature shown ON the license, making my birth name my legal *signature* at least.
Again, thank you so much. I wouldn't have thought to go the vow renewal route had I not read your site.
Hi October. That's great to hear. Please come back and report how your name reversal went after your remarriage takes place.
UPDATE: Success! The DMV did change my name back to my birthname (from birthname-spousename) upon seeing the new 'vow renewal' marriage license. Hilariously, though, after scrutinizing the 2nd marriage license (under birthname-spousename), the agent sighed and asked, "Did you happen to bring your birth certificate?" and once I handed it to her, she handed back the marriage license and instead elected to use the birth certificate for processing the name change!
Also, when I offered her my social security card (under birthname), she scoffed and said, "We're stricter than Social Security – they allow all sorts of name changes that we don't."
Hi October – I am interested in this: "Colorado's marriage licensing and learned we could be issued a new license (technically for a 'vow renewal') and self-solemnize it via signatures in a one-stop trip to the Recorder's Office for $30."
I am looking into this in California and keep finding it isn't necessary to have a license for a vow renewal and doesn't appear to be offered. Did you use other terminology when researching/requesting? This seems to be the best way to go if possible! Thanks for taking time to write your experience!
Hi Tyrone – unique situation here,
My wife and I, both of us women, got married in 2016 in Maryland, and I changed my last name to hers – Hernandez. I got a new SS card & license with Hernandez when we lived in MD. My wife now wants to switch to my maiden name – Schafer. We live in Delaware now. Am I able to switch my last name back to Schafer, and then us our marriage certificate so my wife can change her last name to Schafer?
Does us living in a new state cause any issues? Would we have to go back to get this done in MD (my birth state)or DE or CA (wife’s birth state)?
Does me changing my license to Hernandez make it possible?
I’m not sure how we would be able to do this, a little complicated. Thanks I’m advance for your help!
Hi Hernandez-Schafer. Both you and your wife can complete your respective name changes at the same time using your marriage certificate, assuming your maiden name of Schafer appears on the certificate. (You would need to acquire two certified copies though.) Your new state of residence isn't a problem.
I am married but have been separated for many years. If I changed back to my maiden name with social security do I have to change the name in my driver's license and back account or can i just leave them in my married name?
Hi Limi. Most state laws stipulate that you must update the name on your driver's license when changing your name. Even if you deferred, you would have to complete the change once it became time to renew your license.
How your bank would handle a name mismatch varies per institution. It shouldn't affect soft credit checks, since those typically do not reveal your first or last name. If a hard credit check were ever pulled, it might reveal a name mismatch if new credit accounts start showing up in your maiden name again. You can contact your bank to inquire for certain how they'll handle this hypothetical.
Hi, I got married in 2021 and on the marriage certificate changed my last name to my husband's last name. I have not yet changed my last name on any identification (school, license, social security, passport, banks). Would I be able to change and go back to maiden name on my marriage certificate?
No, you cannot change the married name on your marriage certificate after it has been recorded.
I am a U.S. citizen and got married in Brazil. I chose to take my husband's last name in the marriage certificate. After 7 years of marriage, I haven't changed any of my legal documents, and continued using my maiden name for everything.
Now I'm going through a background check for a government position and they are asking if I've ever legally changed my name. I informed them that I've changed my name when I got married, but never used it for anything. Will I have problems being hired, because I never used my marriage name?
Hi Cc. Since you've only changed your name on your marriage certificate, then you haven't legally changed your name.
If my husband took my last name. Can we still change it back to his last name? With just our marriage license? He changed it with SSA and on his license? Is it easy to go back to his last name? And can I change mine to his last name still?
Hi Marissa. Your husband can change his name with SSA, but his license might not be possible without going to court. You can change your name to your husband's name using the certificate.
I started the process of taking my husband's last name and dropping my maiden name. Our marriage certificate reflects my new name. Now I want to go back and change it so that my maiden name is my middle name and my last name is my husband's. So far I have done my license and my SSA. Do I have to go to court to get it changed?
Hi Caitlin. When your marriage certificate cites your new name, the SSA may only change it to that name. You can revert to your maiden name using your marriage certificate. A court order is required for anything beyond those two options.
This totally worked. I can't thank you enough for your insight! They were trying to turn me away at first but I came prepared with paperwork in hand an let them know it came straight from the SSA website.
After talking to 3 associates, it was approved! They all were honestly just unaware of the situation because it's considered unconventional. The staff learned something new and I got my name change on my SS card.
Thanks for coming back to share your experience.
Unfortunately in my case, this totally did NOT work. I (desperately) want to drop hyphenated addition of my husband's last name & return to birth/maiden name.
Went to Los Angeles SSA Office. Had all my documents (marriage license with maiden name & birth certificate). Clerk & supervisor insisted the only way to "change your name" (even though I'm returning to my previous one) is 1) legal proof of a divorce (might be getting one if I can't get this fixed…) or 2) a court order.
Any suggestions? Try another office? They (SSA) seem only able to implement what's in their system. They were adamant that SSA can't do this without court order. Help…? Thank you.
Hi JT. You could try another office by mail or in person. If mailing your paperwork, consider attaching a printout of the aforementioned POMS references.
Can I change my middle name back to my birth middle name with I get married? Even if it was legally changed through adoption when I was a child and my birth certificate was changed. I saw that previous names could be used. I have the adoption decree as proof of my previous name used.
Maybe. Which state will your marriage take place in?
Georgia. So I did end up changing my name. Social security changed it, DMV, and so on. However, I’ve ran into a few issues.
The tag/title office would not accept it because they said I needed a court order to change my middle name back to my birth name because it was previously legally changed and I could not go back.
It doesn’t match my birth certificate but I have the adoption decree with my birth name and adopted name… I have the paper trail of my name.
Social security said it was ok to change it back to any previous names even if legally changed with my marriage license.
I tried to find a policy that would apply to my situation but couldn’t find one.
Hi Megan. In these cases, you're often limited by the clerk's interpretation. You could try another office, try another agent, or accept a slight deviation between the names on your social security card, driver's license, and car title.
I just moved to OH from MI. I have wanted to change back to maiden name since I changed it 4 years ago. I’m wondering if since I just moved states if there’s a way I would be able to get my new drivers license to reflect my maiden name after changing it with the SSA. Do you have any ideas?
Hi Cate. You could use your social security card, birth certificate, passport, or any prior document that reflects your maiden name.
I have been married for a year and a half, and I decided to hyphenate my last name because I didn’t want to lose my maiden name. However, I have a baby now, and I don’t like filling forms because my last name is so long, so how can I change my name and make my maiden name my middle name and my husband’s last name my last name? FYI, I don’t have a middle name, and I still don’t want to lose my maiden name, so that is why I would like to put my maiden name as my middle name.
Hi Evelynn. You can resubmit your name change using a certified copy of your marriage certificate when going from hyphenated to your spouse's last name. You can review the maiden to middle name change page for details on if such a change is possible in your state.
My SS card has my first, maiden, and married name, all unhyphenated, eg, Sue Jones Smith. I've been married for many years and have never liked using my husband's name.
May I just use my maiden name only for my signature, employment, etc., without dropping my married name on my SS card? So, return to my maiden name without officially dropping my married name with SS, DMV, back, etc.?
Hi Dayne. Take a look at the using your maiden name after marriage article, which delves into this topic.
In summary, you'll have to clear with HR the use of your maiden name over your married name, even though they'll have to file your W-2 form under your married name.
You can sign using your maiden name on a case-by-case basis, but for legal or government forms, you'll want to sign your legal, married name.
Is your maiden name your middle name or is it part of your last name? I was told by my county registar that if your last name is your maiden name + husband's surname, you can sign with either name (as long as it's unhyphenated).
So using your example, you could sign as Sue Jones or Sue Smith and both would be acceptable.
Hi Brandy. You can continue using your maiden name for non-legal contexts, but must sign the full name for anything official, such as taxes, legal documents, job applications, etc.
I changed my last name to my husband's 4 years ago and would like to change it to my maiden name + his last name. Can I change it at the SS office using this and then apply for a new passport while leaving my driver's license the same for now? I live abroad, so don't use my US driver's license. I would like my passport in my new name though. I was married abroad and my marriage certificate does not have a new name listed on it.
Hi Christina. Yes, that sequence should work.
I was just married today (yay!) and on the marriage certificate my name changed to my spouse's last name. I now regret this and wish to remain married but have my last name reverted to my maiden name. Will this system work? I'm in Massachusetts and haven't changed my name anywhere except my marriage certificate.
Hi Elise. If your name has only changed on your marriage certificate, then you don't need to take further action. Your legal name is still your maiden name and will remain so. You can ignore what your marriage certificate says.
Hello, I have been married a couple of years. I'm regretting changing my last name to my husbands last name. I've been waiting to see if this feeling would change but as time goes by my regrets about changing my maiden name is still there. Would this help me change my last name with having to go to court?
Hi Laura. Yes, you can revert your name. Your situation is the common use case discussed in this article.
I feel the same way. It's been a couple of years for me as well. I am now using 3 different last names at work because in some cases I have to use my legal last name vs preferred last name which I hyphenated, since I cannot go back to my maiden name. I still have emails with my maiden name. It's a mess, and I still can't decide what I want.
Just glad I came across this article… I was initially concerned about $500 hefty fee for name change in CA. Now I just need to decide.
In 2018, I got married and I hyphenated my last name to be my maiden name plus my husbands (ex: Jones-Smith). Now I am just trying to change it to only 'Smith' (my husband's last name). Basically take out my maiden name and the hyphen.
I have this hyphenated last name on everything. All credit cards, my license, my passport, my social, etc. Would I be able to update ALL these documents to just Smith, without a court order? If so, please let me know which order I should go in with getting my new documents with new name. Thank you so much!
Hi Haley. The problem you'll face will likely stem from trying to update your license and not your social, passport, or other nongovernmental documents. You may need to petition the court for your license.
Hello, I recently got married and decided to change my last name to my husband’s last name on the marriage license. Since we were planning to do international travels for the honeymoon, I proceeded with changing my last name on the passport. However, I am now having doubts on changing my last name.
I have not changed my last name on any other official documents such as social security card, driver’s license, or personal information. The only document I filed for the name change was the passport when I renewed it.
Would it be possible for me to change the passport back to my maiden? Do I need a court order for this? What do I at this point pertaining my social security card and driver’s license? (I live in California)
Thank you
Hi Yvonne. This may be possible through Form DS-11, for new, lost, or damaged passports. You'd have to provide your birth certificate instead of your marriage certificate.
I want to change back to my maiden name with SSA, which is stated on the marriage certificate. Is it possible?
Hi Ana. You can use a certified copy of your marriage certificate to return to your maiden name. Specify your maiden name in the "name to be shown on card" field.
Hi, I just found this article and it's both helpful and reassuring. I will definitely print out the cited laws just in case I run into any push back from a SSA employee when I go in tomorrow.
I know my maiden name is my legal name. I want to change back to it. My marriage certificate however has my last married name on it. I am going to bring my birth certificate and that should solve the reversal, with enough proof, right?
Thank you
P.S. I was married twice. So my name change is first marriage to second marriage name. Nowhere on my new marriage cert is my maiden name, hence, I am bringing my birth cert. That's all I need, right?
Although your birth certificate would help clarify the link between your prior married name and maiden name, the SSA would already have your name change history on file, starting with the issuance of your first social security card.
I just never used birth name and wish I had. Not the one was given by my mother's maiden name. Plus keep my marriage name.
Hi, I have changed my last name on my SS card and my license because it was about to expire. Will this work for me or is it too late to go back to my maiden name? I'm in Massachusetts. Thank you.
Hi Anna. It would work for your social security card, but may be too late for your license.
Thanks Tyrone. That's ok. I'll happily go through the process of getting my license changed again. Literally everything else still has my maiden name, all my credit cards, utility bills etc. I let my passport expire. If i can get my SS card changed, I'll get my real ID with my maiden name. Thank you. I'm gonna give this a try!!!
I just went to the SS office to do a reversal and they said they would not without court over. Is it really possible without court order?
Hi Lauren. It's not a universally know policy amongst all agents. You can try again, but bring the triple POMS printouts cited in the article. You can also try another office or mail your paperwork with the POMS attached.
I did this last week and it worked for me. I just received my updated social in the mail. Will the DMV change my name using the social? My passport has always been under my maiden name.
Hi Jamie. As covered in the caveats section, the DMV is not a given. They'll query the SSA database to confirm your maiden name, but that doesn't guarantee they'll match it on their issued identification.
Thank you. I have an appointment at the DMV next week. I will update you and others if it works. I’m in Florida
I went to the DMV and they changed it no issues!
Officially back to my maiden name!
Hi Jamie. Congratulations on getting your maiden name back on your driver's license. Would you care to share which state you're in that led to your success?
I live in Kentucky. I’m lucky to have found this website. The lady at the local SSA office tried to argue with me for 30 minutes about needing a court order.
I presented the POMs paperwork and let her know I had done the research and she could look it up on their website if she wanted. She looked confused as if she’d never heard of it before and started looking it up for herself.
Lol She said let me go talk to my supervisor and then she came back and said she could do it. If I didn’t have the POMs she would have definitely turned me away.
The dmv was a different story. The first dmv I went to said that I needed a court order. I went to a different dmv in Ky and showed them my social security card which is now under my maiden name, marriage license ( which also has my maiden name on it), birth certificate and they changed it back to my maiden name. Good luck everyone!
Tried going to an SSA office in Seattle today and was told I needed a court order name change because I was married in California, and they said because a name change occurred on the marriage certificate. However I tried to explain to her that I am one of the same and it's just the previous name.
I provided my birth certificate as well, and brought both SSA cards (old & new) but she didn't seem to care. I did change my passport to my married name but it looks like I can always apply for a new one with my birth certificate later on, however license is still under maiden name.
I think I will try again, will be printing out the recommended POMS – or will I indeed need the court order?
Hi, I tried to revert back to my maiden name in Seattle today with no luck – was told I need a court order to move forward. I was married in California, which lists both my original name and married name.
I presented my birth certificate and both my SSN cards (old and new). I've changed my name with only 2 financial institutions (have left the rest untouched) and my passport. From what I can tell, I can get a new passport later on and use my birth certificate to apply for a new one…
When I called the 1800 line for SSA, they also tried to tell me that I needed a court order but when I presented RM 10212.160 H on the phone they couldn't comprehend or give me a good answer and so they told me to print this all out and try another office.
They tried to argue that Ruth never used her new legal name although in the example it says she changed her SSN name so I don't know how that means she went for many years without using her new legal name yet needed to change it with SSA.
I want to try to go to another office tomorrow, but am worried about getting turned down again. Any thoughts? Is my only option a court order?
Hi HK. You can either try another office or mail your paperwork with a note highlighting how you're seeking a revert. When you include (by mail) or take (in person) the printed POMS articles, include all three cited, and not just RM 10212.160H.
Consider that reverting to one's maiden name in the same marriage is not as common as a straight marriage name change where you're taking all or part of your spouse's name. It's easy to deny something that's hardly encountered, especially when not presented with evidence of its support.
Also factor in that the POMS manual is an enormous, encyclopedia-like resource and it's unrealistic to expect every agent to commit its nuances to memory for less common name change scenarios. Even ones that their operating manual supports. The "Ruth" example is evidence of this.
Phew! I went back to SS with the POMS documents and specified correction and it worked!!! Thank you so much! Now, I tried to reversal with my bank today, and they denied me and said I need court document.
But there would be no court document available since I did not technically do a legal name change, but rather a correction.
So I will have to see if they will accept that explanation, otherwise I guess I will have to close my bank account and start fresh somewhere else.
Hi Lauren. You can go further than an explanation and approach them the same way you did the SSA: with your marriage certificate, POMS references, and even your birth certificate to link your name change timeline.
When I got married I chose to adopt my husband’s surname and our marriage license reflects that (it shows my “new surname”, in addition to the maiden name).
I later regretted that decision because the name got too long. I never took any action to legally adopt the new surname (all my documents, including social security card, are under my maiden name).
So my question is: If I want to continue using my maiden name forever, would I need to take any action?
Hi Mariana. You don't have to change your name for real across your ID and credentials, as the new name on your marriage document isn't legally binding. Take no action and your maiden name will remain your legal name.
Hi Tyrone… could you clarify this response for me? I got married back in 2022 but never adopted my husbands surname on my SS card or any legal documents. Now we are separated, likely headed for divorce and I need renew my passport for a trip I'm taking next summer.
Should this be a simple process since all of my legal ID's still reflect my maiden name or will the fed gov find out there's a marriage certificate with my new surname on it and refuse my passport renewal? The folks at the post office don't seem to know the answer.
Hi Kat. The U.S. Department of State, which processes passports, will not know about your marriage or marriage certificate showing your new name unless you tell them.
And even if you told them, they wouldn't change your name from your maiden name to your new surname unless you asked them to on the application.
They don't care either way, as having a new last name on your marriage document gives you the option to change, but you aren't required to follow through. By default, they'll renew your passport using your maiden name.
Hi there,
When I went to the SSN office to I legally change my name in 2022, I requested to remove my middle name, add my maiden name as my middle name, and add my husbands last name as mine. I was told I couldn’t do that and instead was told I needed to keep my middle initial + double barrel my last name. Which is what I agreed to do. Later, when I went to the DMV, they said I wasn’t allowed to remove my middle name. So now the name on my license and SS card don’t match.
Currently, I need to update my passport, but want to fix my name so everything matches across the board.
So I have 2 questions:
1) Can I change my maiden name to my middle name and use my husband’s last name instead?
2) Does this count as a reversal?
Hi Patty. Could you clarify what you're trying to update? Your social security card, driver's license, or passport? And did you update your driver's license, or did you leave it unchanged?
Hi there, I got married 2 years ago and changed my name on my marriage license. I instantly regretted the name change and I have not taken any steps to change it elsewhere, like with social security, drivers license etc.
If I haven't taken that first step with the social security, do I need to ever? Or can I continue to live as though I never changed it on my marriage license? Will "flying under the radar" bite me in the ass eventually?
Hi Jamie. If your name is only changed on your marriage license/certificate and no other document, you don't need to take further action. Your pre-marriage name will remain unchanged.
Great article! My dear friend is from South Vietnam, and has naturalization papers. She has a birth name, but when she was brought over to the US, she was given an American name.
So her birth certificate is in Vietnamese and has her first and last given name. But when she came to the United States, her naturalization papers, have her American first name with her Vietnamese last name.
So the question is what does she need to bring to the Social Security office to get her name changed?
Hi Janice. You friend can change her name with the Social Security Administration using her certificate of naturalization as proof of name change.
Hi, thank you for this useful article! I'm a green card holder in Arizona. My original SS was in my maiden and changed it to husband's last name upon marriage.
Green card (middle name is maiden initial and married last name), driver's license and a few banks are married name, but my foreign passport and a few banks in the U.S. are still maiden.
Everything in my home country is maiden. Because of unmatched last name between two countries, it has been stressful in many occasions. I want to go back to maiden to simplify. My marriage certificate/license lists my maiden name. Can I revert to maiden?
Thank you:)
Yes, a certified copy of your marriage certificate can be used to return to your maiden name. The process is the same as when you changed it, just in reverse.
Is it possible even if my green card has married name? If SS name revert is successful, can DMV update my DL too? At my last DL renewal, DMV needed my green card to verify my identity, but it's still married name with maiden initial. Thanks again.
You can update the name on your social security card independent of your green card.
That's more uncertain, as the name reversal routine is specific to the SSA, while state-level DMVs may or may not follow suit. And the DMV may want your green card to reflect your preferred name as well.
When I change to my maiden name through the court can my ex husband (not divorced) still take all my assets?
Hi Yetta. No, your husband can't take your assets because you've changed your name. His rights to your assets are based on marital law, not your name.
Unfortunately, this did not work for me. I got married last year and switched to my husband's name on most legal documents. I now want my maiden name back. I live in North Carolina and today I went to the Social Security office. I printed the POMS references but the man insisted that this is not a name correction, and that it was a change. He said I need to petition the court or have a divorce decree. He told me it is a gray area but ultimately they can not change it without a name event.
Hi Jenna. This may be an instance where success varies per agent or per office. You can consider trying another office, either in person or by mailing your paperwork.
I want to ADD my maiden name back into my last name because I regret not still having my maiden name. I am not getting divorced and will still keep my husbands last name. I just want some of my identity back.
Will this be any easier of a process to just add it back in? Since this is more for sentimentality for me, once I change it with SS do I immediately need to start changing it with other institutions?
I just renewed my passport so don't really feel like paying for a new one and I don't really care what it says. If I change it with SS do I necessarily have to change my passport before my next renewal?
There are more options beyond reverting to your maiden name.
Review the deadline article for further information.
No, your social security card and passport renewal names don't have to match.
When I got married, I dropped my middle name and replaced it with my maiden nam. I made this change with the SSA and on my passport but have not changed it elsewhere (including the DMV). I would like to change my middle name back and keep my married last name. If I am successful in making this reversal with the SSA, what are the next steps to take with the Passport Agency? Do you anticipate any issues I might run into with them?
I also have a question about the SS-5 form: Do I include my current name (with maiden name as middle name) in the line stating "Other names used"? Thanks for your help!
Hi Emma. For your passport, it should be possible using form DS-11 as a lost or damaged passport. It's a versatile form, used for first-time passport applicants, as well as passports that are over 15 years old, or for lost or passports. So you'd fill it out the same as if your passport was issued more than 15 years ago. Same form.
When you visit an acceptance facility (DS-11 are handled by acceptance agents), bring a certified copy of your birth certificate and marriage certificate. If you can show photo ID, such as a driver's license, in your preferred name, then you don't need to bring your marriage certificate.
As for the other names portion of the SS-5 form, no, you don't need to include your current name there. Current name goes on line 12. Your other names are names prior to your current name and after your birth name. For example, a double-divorcee who changed their name for each marriage would specify their name change from divorce #1 in other names.
Thank you! This is really helpful. On the DS-11 form, it asks for the name printed on your most recent passport. That would be the name I am trying to change from. Will that create any issues since I would be applying with a different name at the top of the form?
Hi Emily. It's standard. You'd just put the name that was on your most recent passport near the bottom and specify the new name at the top. For anyone undergoing a name change, this is what they'd specify.
Would this help me be able to register to vote if they pass the SAVE Act?
Hi Penni. This wouldn't have an affect, as the SAVE Act would amend the National Voter Registration Act, which doesn't have an overlap with the core focus of this article: changing your name or reverting your name.
Were you looking at this from another angle?
If the SAVE Act is passed wherein it states a voter's registration must match what's on their US birth certificate, would reverting back to a woman's maiden name not fix this issue?
Hi Audry. FactCheck reviewed this question and didn't find much concern beyond the theoretical. The bill would require a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority anyway, which is unlikely. And the house would have to pass it again before it reached the senate.
Once I reverse my name using this method, can I reverse it on my passport as well, using me new passport? Or will I need a court order for that?
Hi Sandra. You'd have to use form DS-11, a certified copy of your birth certificate, and ID in your prior preferred name.
What if I never even submitted my new name to the SSA? Am I required to? On my marriage license application, I requested to replace my middle name with my maiden name and change my last name to my husband's.
The problem is that I was given two middle names at birth. If I had kept them both, my name would be way too long. I would have been fine with only dropping one of them, but the registrar said I couldn't do that; it had to be both or neither.
Ultimately, I decided to drop them and move my maiden name to my middle name. It was a game day decision that I almost immediately regretted.
Although I don't have any attachment to one of the names, the other one is my mother's name and I feel guilty for dropping it.
Additionally, I'm bemoaning the idea of having to change my name on all my ID's and accounts. So can I just not report the name on my marriage license to SSA and continue using my birth name?
No, you don't have to move forward with changing your name on any document, even if your marriage license or certificate specifies a new married name.
Thank you. And what if I decide I do want to change my last name, but keep my original middle names? Can I request to change only my last name with SSA, or would I have to petition the court since it won't match the name on my marriage certificate?
I'm so mad at myself that I had the chance to do this the easy way and probably made things more complicated than it needed to be.
Hi Brandy. I missed your follow-up question. You should be able to change your name keeping your middle name untouched since the SSA doesn't technically consider your middle name as part of your "legal name."
This worked for me to change back to my maiden name. BUT…the first time I went to the SS office, the SS rep refused to do it. She said that if I didn't have a divorce decree or a court order for my name correction/change then it couldn't be changed.
She said she's been working there 10 years and she knew for sure I needed that documentation. Then I found this page and read the POMS info on the SSA website. So I made a 2nd appointment. I almost got the same lady today but then thankfully I ended up with someone else who initially asked if I'm divorced or getting a divorce. I said no that that I just wanted to change back to my maiden name for personal reasons since not everything in my life was changed to my married name and it just makes things confusing using 2 different last names.
So I provided my marriage license showing my maiden name and my old SS card in my maiden name. I also showed my current DL in my married name. I'll be getting my new card in about 10 days in the mail! He did write void on my maiden and married name SS cards and took them. So hopefully I won't have any problems when I go to get my new DL after I get my new SS card.
I tried this today with SSA in Salina, KS. I was told due to me using my marriage certificate to change to my married name I am not allowed to use it again to make a reversal to maiden name without a court order. I showed the gal and her supervisor the prints outs referenced in this article and I was still given a hard “NO”.
I also brought all needed documentation to prove my maiden name and was told they didn’t care about those documents because they already have this info in their system.
I am heart broken and mad at same time. By the way, I was told they have rules and such that we the commoner do not have access to. Such as a marriage certificate can not be used twice for requesting a name change. Any ideas? Is my only recourse to pay the courts and a lawyer to reverse back to my birth name!
Hi Kristine. Success can come down to the office or agent you encounter. You can try another field office either in person or by mailing your paperwork.
I had a common law marriage in Texas never got a marriage certificate. I have a divorce legal from this marriage paper. I need to change my name back to my maiden name. Can I use this divorce? Paper approved I was married to this individual.
Hi Margaret. You can use a certified copy of your dissolution papers to go back to your maiden name as long as it has a prior name restoration order. If it doesn't, you can return to court and ask for a revision.
Can a person change their last name back to their maiden name if the maiden name was never changed on the marriage certificate? Will you still have to go through the court system to file a petition?
Hi Debra. Yes, you can change back to your maiden name even if there's no new name specified on your marriage certificate.
Sadly, this did not work for me. I have gone to the SSA twice and both times they have rejected me. They are requiring me to file a court order, put my name in the paper, the whole ordeal. I can petition the judge to forego the name in the paper piece but that will still require the $180 filing fee upfront and has no guarantees. I was so hopeful that this would work. I haven't decided if I will go through with this yet, but it did not work for me in the state of Massachusetts.
Hi Anne. Here's what you can do, as you still have options. Instead of going in person, mail your paperwork to another office. People often assume they have to go to their nearest office, but there are over 1,600 offices to choose from, and any can process your paperwork.
When you send in your paperwork, attach printouts of the three POMS resources with a note that you're filing a name correction for your current marriage as documented in the attached POMS resources. Attach a certified copy of your marriage certificate along with ID. If you don't want to mail primary ID (e.g., driver's license, passport), then you can mail secondary ID.
I changed my name to my married name via court order about 6 years after marriage because I didn't know that you could simply go to SSA with the marriage certificate years later. However, now I want to go back to my maiden name–and am still married. Do I need another court order to go back to my maiden name or can I use my (now 15 year old) marriage certificate to go back to maiden?
Hi CeCe. You'd use your marriage certificate.
Ok, great! So I wouldn't need to get a court order reversing the original change to my married name? I got married 15 years ago–that wouldn't cause a problem?
Hi CeCe. Yes, you'd use your marriage certificate. There's no time limit attached.
This totally worked!! I went to SSA and was not given any issues. I plan on updating my license next week. To confirm, I don't need to wait until I get the physical card in the mail, right? Just until SSA updates their records? I have the receipt from SSA.
Also, for purposes of updating passport, do I use my marriage certificate + new license + old passport with the former married name? Is this a problem because I changed it previously using court order?
I just did this last week with SSA and it worked! Now wondering for passport–do I fill out DS-82 or do I have to do the DS-11? I have my current married name passport and former maiden name passport (expired) so wondering if I need to do a whole new application.
What would be the "change event" since marriage was 15 years ago? Would it be the day that SSA changed the name back to maiden? Since the change is not technically due to marriage.
Hi CeCe. Use DS-11 for a new passport no matter what. If your passport was issued less than 15, then add DS-64 to mark your expired passport as technically lost. Then use a certified copy of your birth certificate as proof of citizenship and photo to verify your identity. No proof of name change required as you're confirming your birth name. No need to bring your marriage certificate.
DS-11 has to be filed in person at a passport acceptance office (there are thousands, such as many post offices), which you can find online.
I’ve been married for over 40 years, & Since I have a common name, and have had some identity issues lately. I want to add my maiden name to my married name, not revert to my maiden name. Would this be possible? And would it be considered a redo?
Hi Carol. That would be considered a redo as well.
Hi,
Can I add my maiden name back to my middle name?
I was:
[First] [Middle] [Maiden]
Now I am:
[First] [Middle] [Married]
I want to be:
[First] [Middle Maiden] [Married]
Thank you.
No, name corrections are for last names.
My husband is deceased I am currently receiving SS and VA benefits from him! We were still married and no divorce talk! Now what?
As a widow, you could use your marriage certificate to restore your maiden name. The evidence of legal name section on SSA POMS makes specific mention of widows.
After reading the information and comments, I believe I should be able to go to the Social Security office and reclaim my maiden name. I’m currently married and had taken my spouse’s last name, using my maiden name as my middle name. Now, I would like to return to my birth name/ name on my birth certificate.
Am I correct in thinking that if I bring my birth certificate and marriage certificate to the Social Security office, I can request to change my name back to my maiden name? Feeling a bit overwhelmed here in Pennsylvania.
Hi Liza. Yes, you've got the logic right.
These are the correct POMS references I need to bring: RM 10212.150, RM 10212.155, and RM 10212.160H. If I encounter any issues at the Social Security office, I want to be fully prepared and able to reference the appropriate documentation. Thank you for the guidance.
Hi Liza. Yes, those are the proper references.
I have been married four times. I would like to return to my original maiden name. However, my current marriage certificate lists my last (ex) married name as my last name.
Do I need to find my first marriage certificate from ages ago that lists my maiden name to be able to revert after so many name changes via marriages? Or worse yet, find all of my previous marriage certificates to start this process?
Hi Rachel. You can chain your certificates to bridge the gap. At least the last certificate to reference your maiden name. Keep in mind, the SSA maintains a history of your prior name changes, so they'll have an internal record of each transition.
Hi I just found this blog post and it's super helpful! I'm interested in reverting my name change back to my married name (on SSN + Passport) but I no longer live in the U.S., I'm wondering if this is something I can do at the U.S. Embassy near me? TIA!
Hi ET. You'd submit at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
I want to change my name back to my maiden name but I'm concerned about the driver's license. My DL is in my married name. If my SSA is reverted back to my maiden name why would the DL be an issue? Wouldn't they simply use whatever name is on my SSA?
Hi A. They'll match the SSA name as long as it doesn't conflict with their own rules, and such a change might conflict with their rules.