Reclaiming Your Maiden Name in Utah – What to Expect & How to Get It Done

Divorce is a major reset. For many, part of that reset is reclaiming a maiden name—a personal decision that signals a new chapter. Yet the logistics in Utah can feel murky: Do I really have to go back to court? Which agencies do I notify first? How long will this take?

Below you’ll find the context, timeline, and most-overlooked details of a Utah post-divorce name change. When you’re ready for the exact forms and a step-by-step checklist, just grab the free PDF at the end.

1. Two Different Roads—Which One Are You On?

Utah offers two paths:

• The “Easy Button.”
  Your Decree of Divorce already says “Petitioner is restored to her prior name, Jane Maiden Name.” If that sentence is in the final decree, you can usually skip a brand-new lawsuit and go straight to updating your ID.
• The “Start-From-Scratch” Route.
  If the decree is silent—or if you changed your mind after the divorce was final—Utah treats you like any other adult requesting a name change. That means filing a short petition, paying a filing fee (currently $375 in most counties), and attending a 10-minute hearing.

Not sure? Pull out the last couple of pages of the Decree and look for a paragraph restoring your prior name. No language = new petition.

2. Typical Timeline

Pro tip: Tackle Social Security first—the DMV will not re-print your license until your SSA record reflects the new name.

3. The Hidden Costs People Forget

1. Certified copies – Plan on $8–$10 apiece. Most clients buy three so they can leave one with Social Security, one with Vital Records (if you amend a birth certificate), and still have a spare.
2. Passport renewal – $0 if your passport is <1 year old (use Form DS-5504), otherwise $130.
3. Professional licenses – Some boards charge for a replacement license or pocket card. Check before you mail anything.
4. IRS and credit bureaus – Free, but easy to overlook; mismatched names can delay refunds or flag fraud alerts.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Waiting too long to order extra certified copies. Courts purge inactive files; replacing a decree years later can be a hassle.
• Forgetting your vehicle title and registration. Utah DMV requires you to re-title the vehicle if the owner’s legal name changes.
• Assuming your employer’s HR system will “just update.” Hand HR a certified copy or SSA receipt so payroll tax reporting matches.
• Using the wrong passport form. DS-5504 is only for passports issued in the last 12 months and if you can mail the original passport with your request.

FAQs

Q: Do I have to publish notice in the newspaper?
Not for divorces. Utah waives the publication requirement if you are returning to a prior name following dissolution of marriage.

Q: I remarried—can I still restore my maiden name?
Yes, but be aware you’ll appear under your new married name in the divorce decree unless you also request a change at the time of the new marriage license.

Q: What if I was born outside Utah?
You only amend the birth certificate in the state where it was issued. Most people skip this step unless they need a “clean” identity record for Real ID or professional licensing.

Quick-Access Links

• Social Security Application (SS-5) – fillable PDF
  https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
• Utah Driver License Division – Name Change
  https://dld.utah.gov/name-change/
• Utah Courts Name-Change Forms (for the Start-From-Scratch route)
  https://www.utcourts.gov/en/self-help/case-categories/family/name-change.html

Download the Side-by-Side Checklist

Ready for the nuts-and-bolts? Our two-page PDF breaks each path into bite-sized to-dos, with live links to every form mentioned above. Print it, highlight it, bring it to the SSA office—whatever makes the process easier.

Need help?

RCG Law Group handles name-change petitions statewide for a flat fee and can even bundle the paperwork into your divorce case if it’s still pending. Reach out at 801-893-2887 or admin@rcglawgroup.com for a quick consult.