Georgia Divorce Name Change Checklist

Request name restoration in your divorce complaint under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-16, and it will appear in your Final Judgment and Decree. After your divorce is finalized, obtain certified copies of the decree from your county's Superior Court Clerk for $2.50-3.00 per page. Start with Social Security (free, Form SS-5), then update your Georgia driver's license within 60 days as required by law.

No separate court order is needed if your divorce decree includes the name restoration provision under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-16. Your Final Judgment and Decree serves as your legal name change document when presented to government agencies. If you didn't request restoration during divorce, a 2024 amendment allows ex parte filing anytime after divorce without publication requirements or your former spouse's involvement.

You need certified copies of your Final Judgment and Decree containing the name restoration order, available from your county's Superior Court Clerk. For Social Security, bring the certified decree plus proof of identity (current driver's license or passport). Georgia DDS requires your updated Social Security card and certified divorce decree showing the name change order.

Georgia divorce name changes typically cost $50-150 total for document updates. Certified decree copies are $2.50-3.00 per page, Social Security updates are free, and driver's license changes are free during renewal or $20-32 otherwise. Vehicle title updates cost $18 plus a $10 penalty if filed more than 30 days after divorce. Professional license updates through the Secretary of State are free.

The complete process takes 4-8 weeks when done efficiently. Social Security processes updates in 7-14 days and issues a new card by mail. Georgia DDS processes license changes the same day at a Customer Service Center. Allow additional time for passport updates (4-6 weeks standard, 2-3 weeks expedited) and bank account changes. Complete Social Security first since DDS requires your updated card.

No, Georgia law does not require you to change your name after divorce. You may keep your married name indefinitely without any legal consequence. If you initially kept your married name but later decide to restore your maiden name, the 2024 amendment to O.C.G.A. § 19-5-16 allows you to file an ex parte motion at any time without publication requirements.

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-12-1, changing a child's surname in Georgia requires written consent from both parents, regardless of custody arrangements. If one parent objects, the court cannot authorize the name change even if it would benefit the child. The only exception is when a parent has not contributed to child support for five continuous years, eliminating the consent requirement for that parent.

Update your Social Security record first by completing Form SS-5 with your certified divorce decree at an SSA office—it's free with 7-14 day processing. Georgia DDS requires your updated Social Security card before processing a driver's license name change. Georgia participates in SSA's online program, but divorce-related changes require an in-person visit within 45 days of starting the online application.