Family Law

Changing Your Name After a Divorce in Nevada

By Donn W. Prokopius, Esq. | December 16, 2025 | Back to Blog

One of the most common questions clients ask after a Nevada divorce is finalized: what do I do about my name? Whether you want to return to your maiden name or a previous legal name, Nevada law gives you two clear paths, and the process is more straightforward than most people expect.

Bottom line: The easiest time to change your name is during the divorce itself. If you miss that window, a separate name change petition filed in Nevada district court typically costs under $300 and takes 4-8 weeks.

Option 1: Name Change in the Divorce Decree

Nevada allows you to request a legal name change as part of your divorce proceedings under NRS 125.130. If the court grants it, your divorce decree will specifically state that your name is restored to your chosen name. This is the simplest approach because:

No separate court filing is required
The divorce decree itself acts as your legal name change document
You can begin updating your records immediately after the divorce is finalized
There is no additional filing fee beyond your divorce costs

If you want to use this option, tell your attorney before the divorce is finalized. The name change language must be included in the final decree, it cannot be added after the fact without a separate motion.

Option 2: Separate Name Change Petition

If your divorce decree did not include a name change, or if you decided later that you want to change your name, you can file a separate name change petition in Nevada district court under NRS 41.270.

The basic steps are:

File a petition in the Eighth Judicial District Court (Clark County) with your full legal name, the name you want, and the reason for the change.
Pay the filing fee, currently around $270 in Clark County, though fees change periodically.
Attend a brief court hearing, the judge will review the petition and, assuming no objections, approve it on the spot.
Receive your court order, this document is your legal authority to update all your records.

The entire process typically takes 4-8 weeks from filing to the court order, depending on court scheduling and caseload.

After the Name Change: Updating Your Records

Once you have either a divorce decree with a name change provision or a separate court order, update your records in this sequence, each agency often requires proof from the previous step:

1. Social Security Administration

Visit your local SSA office or apply at ssa.gov. Bring your court order (or divorce decree), a photo ID, and proof of citizenship. Your updated Social Security card arrives within 10-14 business days and is free.

2. Nevada DMV, Driver's License

Once you have your updated Social Security record, visit a Nevada DMV office with your court order, current license, updated Social Security card, and proof of Nevada residency. The DMV will issue a new license with your updated name.

3. Passport

If your current passport was issued less than a year ago, you can update it for free. For older passports, apply for a new one (fee: $130-$165) using Form DS-5504 (recent) or DS-11 (new) along with your court order.

4. Bank Accounts and Financial Institutions

Contact each bank directly. Most require your court order plus your updated government-issued ID. Update accounts, credit cards, investment accounts, and beneficiary designations.

5. Employer, Voter Registration, and Other Records

Notify your employer's HR department, update voter registration through the Nevada Secretary of State, and update any professional licenses, insurance policies, and subscription services.

Important: Do not sign any legal documents with your new name until after you have received the court order.

Can You Change a Child's Name After Divorce?

Changing a child's last name is a completely separate process requiring its own court petition. Nevada courts apply the "best interests of the child" standard, considering the child's relationship with each parent, the child's preference (if old enough), and how the name change would affect the child's wellbeing. The other parent must be notified and has the right to object.

What Name Can You Change To?

Nevada law allows you to restore any name you have previously used, your maiden name, a name from a prior marriage, or a middle name used as a last name. You generally cannot change to a name intended to defraud creditors, one that is obscene, or one that includes numbers or symbols.

Questions About Your Nevada Divorce or Name Change?

PRO LAW GROUP has handled thousands of Nevada family law matters since 2000. Contact us for a free initial consultation. Call (702) 474-0500, Monday through Thursday 8:30am to 5pm, Friday 8:30am to 3pm.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

How do I change my name back after a divorce in Nevada?

The simplest route is to request it as part of the divorce itself — Nevada allows a name change to be included in the divorce proceedings, and the language must appear in the final decree. That is the important detail: it cannot be added afterwards without a separate motion. Ask your attorney to include it before the decree is entered, even if you are undecided, because including it costs nothing and removes the need for a second filing later. Once the decree includes it, the decree itself becomes the document you use to update your records.

What if my divorce decree did not include a name change?

You can still change your name by filing a separate petition in Nevada district court. That process typically costs under $300 — the Clark County filing fee has recently been in the region of $270, though court fees change periodically — and generally takes around four to eight weeks. It is entirely workable, simply an extra step and expense that including the request in the decree would have avoided. If you are still in the divorce process and think you might want your former name back, raise it now rather than later.

What records do I need to update after changing my name?

Start with Social Security, because most other agencies verify against their records. Then the Nevada DMV for your driver’s licence and vehicle registration, followed by your passport if you hold one. After that: banks and credit cards, employer and payroll, retirement and investment accounts, insurance policies, your mortgage or lease, utilities, medical providers and your children’s schools. Keep several certified copies of the decree or name change order, since many institutions require an original rather than a photocopy. Updating beneficiary designations is easy to forget and worth doing at the same time.