Divorce changes more than your marital status. Your lifestyle and even your identity are very likely to change after separating from your spouse. If you took another surname during the marriage, it is likely you have questioned whether or not it is possible to reclaim your maiden name after the divorce.
Is it possible to get your maiden name back?
In Wisconsin, you are not forced to keep the surname of the spouse you divorced. Instead, you can opt to restore your maiden name. There are ways to accomplish this during and after the divorce:
When you initially file for a divorce, you can request to revert to your maiden name. After the judge’s final order, they issue a statement that restores your name. The decree will serve as official proof.
After the divorce, you can file a request to amend the decree. Alternatively, you can petition to have your name changed. Sometimes judges require court hearings where you will have to explain your request and your reasoning.
Remember, you can typically only revert to a name that you have legally used before, such as your birth name. You will not be able to create an entirely new name for yourself through divorce, though you may file a separate petition explicitly requesting a name change.
What to do after changing your name
Changing your name does not automatically update all existing records. This means you will need to notify offices and agencies to let them know that you are using your maiden name again. Typically, records that require you to update them include passports, bank accounts, driver’s licenses and voter registration.
Separating from your spouse can be an emotionally taxing ordeal, especially because you will have to start over after living with someone for so long. Reclaiming your maiden name is one of many steps, but it can provide the catharsis you might need before rebuilding your life.