Restoring Your Name After Divorce in Washington: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Washington District Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
In Washington, 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.
Your personalized plan
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
What it costs
Restoring a former name in the divorce is free; RCW 26.09.150 requires the court to restore it on request
District Court in the county where you live (Superior Court for sealed/confidential name changes)
Step by step
- 1
Ask the Superior Court to restore your former name inside your dissolution petition or final decree — under RCW 26.09.150 the court must grant this on request, at no extra cost.
- 2
If the divorce is already final and you did not request it, Washington has no separate post-decree restoration form; you would instead file a regular name-change petition in District Court.
- 3
Get a certified copy of the Decree of Dissolution (showing the restored name) from the Superior Court clerk.
- 4
Use the certified decree to update Social Security, then the Department of 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.
| Form | Code | Official link |
|---|---|---|
| Decree of Dissolution — former name restored under RCW 26.09.150 | — | Open ↗ |
- • Restoration is mandatory (the statute says the court 'shall' restore a former name on request) but only names you previously held; a wholly new name requires a separate petition.
- • Because there is no Washington post-judgment restoration form, request the name change during the divorce to avoid a separate District Court filing later.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Washington license, then your passport and accounts.
Divorce name change in nearby states
Restoring Your Name After Divorce in Washington: FAQ
Can I restore my maiden name without paying again in Washington?
What if I forgot to ask for my former name in the divorce in Washington?
Do I need to publish a notice to restore my name after divorce in Washington?
What's the first ID to update after a divorce name change in Washington?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.09.150
- www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.static&staticID=13
- dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/update-driver-license-information/change-your-name-or-address-your-driver-license
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.