Connecticut law provides one of the most streamlined processes in the nation for restoring your former name after a divorce. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-63, the court that granted your dissolution of marriage must restore your birth name or former name upon request, and no hearing is required. Whether you included a name change in your original divorce decree or need to file a post-judgment motion, the total cost ranges from $0 to $30 depending on your path, and the court portion can be completed in as little as one to two weeks.
Key Facts: Name Change After Divorce in Connecticut
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Statute | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-63 |
| Court Filing Fee (motion to modify) | $0 (no separate fee for post-judgment name restoration motion) |
| DMV Name Change Fee | $30 |
| Social Security Card Update | Free |
| Hearing Required | No — court rules on motion without a hearing |
| Residency Requirement | 12 months for divorce under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-44 |
| Divorce Waiting Period | 90 days under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-67 |
| Names You Can Restore | Birth name or any former legal name |
| Time to Complete Full Process | 4–8 weeks (court order through final ID updates) |
Two Legal Paths for a Name Change After Divorce in Connecticut
Connecticut residents have two distinct legal paths for restoring a former name through the divorce process, and both are governed by Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-63. The first path includes the name restoration in the original dissolution decree at no additional cost. The second path involves filing a post-judgment motion to modify the decree, which the court must grant without a hearing. Connecticut refers to divorce as "dissolution of marriage," and all name restoration requests are handled by the Superior Court — Family Division that issued the original decree.
Path 1: Include the Name Change in Your Divorce Decree
The simplest and most cost-effective method is to request name restoration during your divorce proceedings. Under the first clause of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-63, "at the time of entering a decree dissolving a marriage, the court, upon request of either spouse, shall restore the birth name or former name of such spouse." This request can be included in your marital settlement agreement or raised at the final hearing. There is no additional filing fee beyond the standard $360 divorce filing fee. The name change becomes effective immediately upon entry of the final decree, and the decree itself serves as your legal proof of name change for all government agencies and financial institutions.
Path 2: File a Post-Judgment Motion After Your Divorce
If your divorce decree did not include a name restoration order, you can file a motion to modify the judgment at any time after the decree is entered. Under the second clause of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-63, "at any time after entering a decree dissolving a marriage, the court, upon motion of either spouse, shall modify such judgment and restore the birth name or former name of such spouse." The statute further specifies that "the court shall rule on any motion filed by such spouse to have his or her birth name or former name restored without a hearing." This means there is no court appearance required — the judge reviews and grants the motion on paper. The modified judgment then serves as your legal name change document.
Filing Your Post-Judgment Name Restoration Motion
Filing a post-judgment motion for name restoration in Connecticut requires submitting paperwork to the Superior Court — Family Division that handled your original dissolution case. The motion is typically processed within 1 to 3 weeks, costs nothing beyond minimal copying expenses, and requires no court appearance. Connecticut courts process approximately 11,000 dissolution cases per year according to the Connecticut Judicial Branch, and name restoration motions represent a routine administrative action within that caseload.
To file the motion, follow these steps:
- Obtain a copy of your final dissolution decree from the court clerk if you do not already have one
- Draft a motion to modify the judgment requesting restoration of your birth name or former name, citing Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-63
- Include your current legal name, the name you wish to restore, your case docket number, and the date of the original decree
- File the motion with the clerk of the Superior Court — Family Division that issued your decree
- Serve a copy of the motion on your former spouse (Connecticut Practice Book requires notice to all parties)
- Wait for the court to rule — no hearing is required under the statute
- Obtain certified copies of the modified judgment (typically $2.00 per page for certified copies)
You should request at least 3 to 5 certified copies of the court order, as the Social Security Administration, DMV, banks, and employers will each need to see an original certified copy.
Updating Your Social Security Card
The Social Security Administration (SSA) must be your first stop after receiving your court order because the Connecticut DMV verifies your name against SSA records before issuing an updated license. Updating your Social Security card after a divorce name change in Connecticut is free and typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to receive your new card. Your Social Security number remains the same — only the name associated with it changes.
To update your Social Security card, you will need:
- A completed Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card), available at ssa.gov or any local SSA office
- Your certified divorce decree or court order showing the name restoration
- Proof of identity (valid Connecticut driver's license, state ID, or U.S. passport)
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status (U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport)
You can submit your application in person at any Connecticut SSA office or by mail. Connecticut has 11 Social Security offices located in Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, New Haven, New London, Norwich, Stamford, and Waterbury. The SSA processes name changes within 24 to 48 hours in their system, but the physical replacement card arrives by mail in approximately 10 to 14 business days. You do not need to wait for the physical card before visiting the DMV — the SSA system update is sufficient.
Updating Your Connecticut Driver's License
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles charges a $30 fee to update the name on your driver's license or non-driver ID card after a divorce. As of March 2026, all DMV name change appointments must be scheduled in advance at a DMV hub office or DMV express office (including participating AAA locations). Walk-in service is not available for name changes. DMV express office locations may charge an additional convenience fee of up to $8 per transaction.
To update your Connecticut driver's license, bring the following to your appointment:
- A completed Change of Name or Name Correction Request (Form E-78), available at portal.ct.gov/dmv
- Your certified divorce decree or court order showing the name restoration
- Your current Connecticut driver's license
The DMV will issue a temporary paper license at your appointment, and your permanent card with the updated name will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The DMV verifies your name change against Social Security Administration records in real time, which is why the SSA update must be completed first.
Complete Document Update Checklist
After receiving your court order restoring your former name, you must update your name across all government records, financial accounts, and personal documents. Connecticut residents typically complete the full process in 4 to 8 weeks. The order of updates matters because some agencies require proof from others before processing your request.
Update these records in the following order:
- Social Security card (free — must be done first)
- Connecticut driver's license or state ID ($30 fee)
- U.S. passport or passport card ($130 for a new passport book, $30 for a passport card, or free correction if within 1 year of issuance)
- Bank accounts and credit cards (free — bring certified court order to your branch)
- Employer and payroll records (free — contact your HR department)
- Health insurance and medical providers (free — contact member services)
- Utility companies, cable, internet, and phone accounts (free)
- Mortgage company or landlord (free — submit written request with copy of court order)
- Vehicle registration and title (contact CT DMV — fees vary)
- Voter registration (free — update at portal.ct.gov/sots or your town clerk)
- Professional licenses (fees vary by licensing board)
- IRS records (updated automatically when you file your next tax return with your new name and existing Social Security number)
Name Change After Divorce vs. Probate Court Name Change in Connecticut
Connecticut provides two entirely separate legal systems for changing your name: the divorce-based restoration process under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-63 and the general name change petition through Probate Court under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-99. Effective July 1, 2023, Connecticut eliminated the Probate Court filing fee for name change applications under Public Act 23-113 (formerly HB 5835). However, the divorce-based process remains faster and simpler for anyone restoring a former name after dissolution.
| Feature | Divorce Name Restoration (§ 46b-63) | Probate Court Name Change (§ 45a-99) |
|---|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $0 (motion to modify) | $0 (fee eliminated July 2023) |
| Hearing Required | No | Yes (Probate Court hearing) |
| Court | Superior Court — Family Division | Probate Court |
| Names Available | Birth name or former legal name only | Any name |
| Publication Required | No | May be required (judge's discretion) |
| Processing Time | 1–3 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| Background Check | No | Yes (criminal background check) |
| Best For | Restoring maiden name or prior married name | Choosing an entirely new name |
The divorce-based path is faster because it requires no hearing, no publication, and no background check. Connecticut courts treat name restoration after divorce as a ministerial act — the judge must grant the request. The Probate Court path is necessary only if you want to adopt an entirely new name that is not your birth name or a former legal name.
Special Considerations for Parents Changing Their Name
Parents who change their name after divorce in Connecticut should be aware that the name restoration applies only to the requesting spouse — it does not affect the names of any minor children. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-99, changing a minor child's surname requires a separate Probate Court petition and, if both parents have not consented, a hearing where the court considers the best interests of the child. Connecticut courts have historically been reluctant to change a child's surname over the objection of the non-custodial parent, as established in case law including Oakes v. Oakes, 134 Conn. App. 252 (2012).
Practical steps for parents completing a name change after divorce in Connecticut include:
- Notify your child's school of your name change so school records reflect the correct parent name
- Update your name on any custody or parenting plan orders by filing a notice of name change with the court
- Update emergency contact information with your child's school, daycare, and pediatrician
- Ensure your name matches on all travel documents if you plan to travel internationally with your children
- Update beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, and 529 education savings plans
Connecticut Residency and Eligibility Requirements
Connecticut requires at least one spouse to have been a domiciliary (permanent resident) of the state for a minimum of 12 months before a divorce can be granted under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-44. You may file for divorce before completing the 12-month residency period, but the court will not enter a final decree until the requirement is met. The 90-day waiting period under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-67 begins on the return date assigned by the court clerk, which is typically a Tuesday set at least 12 days after the divorce papers are served on the other spouse.
For post-judgment name restoration, there is no separate residency requirement. If the Connecticut Superior Court issued your divorce decree, that same court retains jurisdiction to modify the judgment for name restoration regardless of where you currently live. This means a former Connecticut resident who has moved out of state can still file a motion under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-63 with the original Connecticut court.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The name change after divorce process in Connecticut is straightforward, but common errors can cause delays of 2 to 6 weeks. Approximately 15% of name change applications at the SSA are returned for insufficient documentation according to SSA processing data. Avoiding these mistakes will help you complete the process efficiently.
- Filing with the wrong court: Your motion must be filed with the specific Superior Court — Family Division that issued your original dissolution decree, not your local Probate Court
- Skipping the SSA update: The Connecticut DMV will reject your name change if Social Security records do not match — always update SSA first
- Requesting insufficient certified copies: Each agency needs an original certified copy — order at least 3 to 5 copies from the court clerk at approximately $2.00 per page
- Using an uncertified photocopy: Government agencies require certified copies with the court seal — a regular photocopy will be rejected
- Forgetting to update your passport: If your passport does not match your airline ticket name, you may be denied boarding — update it before any planned travel
- Missing the decree language: If you requested a name change during divorce proceedings but the final decree does not include the restoration order, you will need to file a post-judgment motion to correct the omission
- Waiting too long: While there is no legal deadline for filing a post-judgment name restoration motion in Connecticut, updating your name promptly avoids complications with mismatched identification documents