[Bsydes]

A very close friend of mine was recently divorced and she doesn't know if her last name has returned to her maiden name. Is there anyway to find this information out?

Thank you, Beau

[ebaines]

Your name doesn't change unless you want it to. Just as she had to go through some significant steps when she changed her name upon getting married (social security, driver's license, etc), if she wants to change her name back to her maiden name she can certainly do so, but it's not automatic and she would have to go through the same process again. Some women decide to keep their married names after divorce, perhaps because they're used to it or feel it's not worth the hastle and confusion to change it back. It's entirely up to her.

[Fr_Chuck]

Was changing the name listed in the divorce decree. IF so, did they take it to the drivers license and have their name change. Nothing happens automatically normlly.

[shygrneyzs]

I agree with Fr. Chuck. In my divorce, my lawyer had put in the request to change my name back to my maiden name and the Judge approved. So it was written in the divorce decree. I had to take the original certified decree to both Social Security and the Driver's License to make the name change.

If the name change is not listed in the divorce decree, your friend can still change it back. She needs an attorney and some money.