How to Change Your Name After Divorce in Florida?

Taking back your former name after a divorce is a powerful step toward a new chapter. In Florida, the legal permission for your name change is typically granted within your Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (the Divorce Decree).

If your name restoration was explicitly included in the final court document, congratulations! That decree is your new legal name change certificate. If it was not included, you must file a separate Petition for Name Change (Adult) with your local Circuit Court, which involves other steps.  Once you have your certified copy of the Divorce Decree or a separate court-ordered name change, it’s time to start the paperwork—and the first stop is always the Social Security Administration (SSA). Once you have a certified copy of your legal name change document, it’s time to tackle the paperwork in the right order.

Step 1: Updating Your Social Security Card (The Essential First Move)

Every name change in the U.S. starts with the Social Security Administration (SSA). This step is non-negotiable, as most other agencies require your updated Social Security record to proceed. To learn more about how to change your name on your SSA card after a divorce, click here.

What You Need to Update Your Social Security Card:

You must submit an application and provide original or certified copies of supporting documents to the SSA:

• Application: A completed SS-5 Form Application for a Social Security Card.
• Proof of Name Change: An original or certified copy of your legal name change document (your certified Florida Divorce Decree or court order).
• Proof of Identity: A current, unexpired document (e.g., U.S. Passport or U.S. driver’s license).

HitchSwitch Tip: Order Extra Copies Your divorce decree is a powerful document, but you have to send an original or certified copy to the SSA, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV, and others. We recommend ordering at least 2 or 3 certified copies from the Florida court clerk.

Step 2: Updating Your Florida Driver’s License or State ID

Next, after the SSA has processed your name change, your next mandatory step in Florida is updating your credential with the FLHSMV. To learn more about how to change your name on your REAL ID after a divorce, click here.

What You Need at the FLHSMV:

You must visit a local Florida Division of Driver Licenses office in person.

• Your current Florida driver’s license or state ID.
• Proof of your new legal name (your certified Divorce Decree).
• Proof of Social Security Number (your new Social Security card or a W-2 form with the new name).

HitchSwitch Tip: Save Time with Appointments Florida FLHSMV offices can have long wait times. Before you go, check if your local FLHSMV office allows you to schedule an appointment online. Many locations offer this service, which can dramatically reduce your wait time and ensure you are seen quickly to finalize your new Florida driver’s license or state ID.

Step 3: Updating Your U.S. Passport

If you have a passport, updating it is crucial for international travel. The three main forms:

Passport Issue Date/Status	Form to Use	Application Method	Fee
Issued less than 1 year ago	DS-5504 (Correction)	Mail	No Fee (Routine Service)
Issued more than 1 year ago, and meets all renewal criteria	DS-82 (Renewal)	Mail	Full Renewal Fee
Lost, stolen, damaged, issued more than 15 years ago, or issued when you were under age 16	DS-11 (First-Time/New)	In-Person	Full New Passport Fee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regardless of the form, you must submit your completed application, your current passport, one new passport photo, a check, and your certified Divorce Decree (as proof of the name change). To learn more about how to change your name on your passport card after a divorce, click here.

HitchSwitch Tip: Travel First, Change Later If you have any international travel booked under your married name, you must wait until you return home to submit your passport for a name change. The name on your ticket must match the name on your passport exactly to board your flight.

HitchSwitch Tip: DS-11 Means In-Person! If you use the DS-11 form because your passport falls under the special criteria (e.g., issued when you were a child, lost/stolen, or issued over 15 years ago), you must apply in person at an acceptance facility (like a post office or court clerk’s office). This is treated as a brand-new passport application and incurs the full new passport fee, and you will need to submit your original proof of U.S. Citizenship (like a birth certificate).

The HitchSwitch Advantage: Paperwork Simplified

Moreover, the process of finding and filling out the correct forms (SS-5, FLHSMV forms, and the correct Passport form) and deciphering instructions can be overwhelming.

HitchSwitch eliminates the confusion. We provide you with the exact, pre-filled government forms you need for the Social Security Administration, the FLHSMV, and the U.S. Passport Office, along with personalized instructions based on your Florida divorce decree. We save you time, prevent errors, and guide you through the transition seamlessly.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do I have to change my name with the Social Security Administration first after my Florida divorce?

• Yes.  Changing your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) is the mandatory first step. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the U.S. Passport Agency rely on the SSA’s record to confirm your new legal name.

Q: What is the most important document needed for a name change after divorce in Florida?

• The single most important document is the certified copy of your Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce Decree). This decree serves as your legal name change proof, provided it explicitly states that your former name is restored. Without this certified court document, you cannot update your ID with the SSA or the Florida DMV.

Q: I want to keep my married name for now. Is there a time limit to change my name back later?

• No. There is no legal time limit to restore your name after divorce in Florida. You can choose to keep your married name indefinitely. However, if you decide to change it back years later and it was not addressed in your original divorce decree, you will need to file a separate Petition for Name Change (Adult) with the court, which does require separate filing fees, fingerprinting, and a court hearing.

Q: I lost my certified divorce decree. How do I get a copy for my name change paperwork?

• You must contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where your divorce was finalized. They will be able to issue you a new, certified copy of your Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage for a fee. You should do this immediately, as you cannot start the SSA process without this certified document.