Changing Your Name in Texas After a Divorce

If you’ve recently gone through a divorce, you may be considering changing your name in Texas. After all, your last name is an important part of your identity, and many people want to return to using their maiden name or take on a new name after their divorce. Fortunately, the process for changing your name in Texas is relatively straightforward. This article will provide information on how you can legally change your name in Texas following a divorce.

It’s not uncommon for individuals who have gone through a divorce to want to change their name. Changing your name after a divorce can be an important part of moving on with your life. Many people find that changing their last name helps them feel like they are starting anew and symbolizes the end of their marriage. Additionally, some people may want to reclaim their maiden name or use a new last name that reflects their current identity. In some cases, individuals may take on a new name entirely. There are several reasons someone might choose to do this following a divorce, including wanting to distance themselves from their former spouse, reclaiming their identity, or simply wanting something new and fresh after such an emotionally charged event. No matter the reason, it's important to understand the process for legally changing your name after a divorce in Texas.

The process for legally changing your name in Texas is relatively straightforward. It can be done without hiring an attorney (although it's recommended that you consult with one if the matter is complicated). It’s important to note that if you opt for a name change after getting divorced, it will only apply to your last name; it does not change anything about your marriage license or birth certificate. You must obtain these documents separately if you wish to make changes there.

In order to legally change your name in Texas after a divorce, you must file a petition with the court and attend a hearing. The following steps outline how to go about this process:

1. Obtain a copy of your divorce decree from the court clerk's office or online from the State of Texas website. This document proves that you are legally divorced and is necessary for any legal changes related to your marital status (such as changing your last name).

2. Prepare and file an application/petition for a change of name with the court clerk's office where you obtained your divorce decree. You will need to provide information such as your full legal name, date of birth, current address, and Social Security number on the form. You should also include information regarding why you want to change your last name (such as restoring your maiden name or taking on another last name).

3. Attend an informal hearing before a judge who will review all of the information provided on the application/petition form and ask questions about why you want to change your last name. The judge will then decide whether or not to grant permission for you to change it.

4. Once the judge has granted permission, take additional steps such as obtaining certified copies of documents related to the change (e.g., marriage license) and filing them with appropriate government agencies (e.g., Social Security Administration).

5. Notify relevant institutions, such as banks, credit card companies, employers, etc., about the change so that they can update their records accordingly.

When changing your name after a divorce, there are some special considerations worth noting. First is that if one party has been convicted of domestic violence within two years before filing for divorce, they cannot legally change their name until three years after conviction or completion of their sentence, whichever comes later. Secondly, suppose either party has been found guilty of felony charges within five years prior to filing for divorce. In that case, they cannot legally change their names until seven years after conviction or completion of their sentence, whichever comes later. Finally, suppose either party is found guilty of felony charges within ten years prior to filing for divorce. In that case, they cannot legally change their names until fifteen years after conviction or completion of sentence, whichever comes later, regardless of whether they were convicted before or after filing for divorce. 

Changing your name in Texas after a divorce is relatively straightforward if all requirements are met and followed correctly. However, it’s important to understand that this process can take several weeks or even months, depending on how quickly the court processes paperwork and whether there are any issues with any submitted documents. Additionally, suppose you have any questions about filing for a legal name change or what documents are needed for the process. In that case, it’s recommended that you seek legal counsel from an experienced attorney who can help guide you through each step of the way.