Changing Your Name After Divorce in Martinez and Evans, Georgia: A Step-by-Step Guide

Divorce often marks the beginning of a new chapter. For many people—especially women—changing back to a maiden name or choosing a new name symbolizes a fresh start. While it’s a common part of moving on, you must follow the proper legal steps in Georgia to make your name change official.

This guide explains exactly how to handle the process in Columbia County (covering Martinez and Evans, Georgia) and offers practical tips to ensure your transition goes smoothly.

1. Decide When and How You’ll Change Your Name

You have two options in Georgia:

• During your divorce: The easiest route is to include the name change in your divorce petition or settlement agreement. That way, the Columbia County Superior Court judge can authorize the change directly in your divorce decree—no extra filings or court appearances later.

• After your divorce: If you later decide you want to change your name, it becomes a separate legal action. You’ll have to file a new petition for name change in Superior Court, publish legal notice, and go through the same process as anyone else who wants to change their name.

  
  

  Think of it this way—if your parents had named you something ridiculous and you wanted to change it as an adult, the process would be exactly the same.

In Georgia, you can take any name you wish—as long as it’s not for fraudulent purposes (like avoiding creditors or criminal history).

And remember—it’s also perfectly fine to keep your married name if that’s what you prefer. Many people choose to keep their spouse’s last name for professional reasons, to share the same last name as their children, or simply because it feels like part of their identity. It’s entirely a matter of personal preference.

2. Make Sure Your Divorce Decree Reflects the Change

If your name change was included in the divorce, check that your final decree contains the legal language authorizing it. That decree becomes your proof of the name change.

If it wasn’t included, your attorney can file an amendment or help you prepare a separate name change petition in Columbia County Superior Court.

If the name change was not granted during the divorce, Georgia law also requires notice of the name change to be published in a local newspaper once a week for four consecutive weeks before it can be finalized.

3. Update Government Agencies and Key Records

Once you have your court-signed divorce decree or name-change order, it’s time to update your identification and records:

1. Social Security Administration (SSA):

   
   

   File Form SS-5 at your nearest SSA office (the closest for Evans and Martinez is in Augusta). Bring your divorce decree, current ID, and proof of citizenship.

   
   

2. Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS):

   
   

   Visit a DDS Customer Service Center—Evans and Martinez residents usually use the Augusta center—to update your driver’s license. Bring your new Social Security card, decree, and proof of residence.

   
   

3. Passport:

   
   

   Submit a name-change application to the U.S. Department of State. The form you’ll need depends on when your passport was issued.

   
   

4. Banks and Financial Institutions:

   
   

   Bring your updated ID and court decree to your local branch. Update all checking, savings, and credit accounts.

   
   

5. Employers and Payroll:

   
   

   Provide HR with your updated documents so your paychecks, W-2s, and benefits match your new name.

4. Update Personal and Professional Accounts

Beyond government agencies, don’t forget to update:

• Insurance policies (auto, health, home, life)

• Utility and internet providers

• Voter registration (Columbia County Board of Elections)

• Professional licenses

• Doctors and healthcare providers

• School or university records

• Memberships, subscriptions, and online accounts

5. Notify Friends, Family, and Business Contacts

Tell friends, family, and colleagues about your new name so they can update their records and address you properly. Update your email signature, business cards, and social media accounts to keep everything consistent.

Conclusion

Changing your name after divorce in Martinez or Evans, Georgia is a personal and symbolic choice—but it’s also a legal process that must be handled correctly. Including your name change in your divorce decree is the simplest route, but if you wait until later, expect to go through a formal petition just like anyone else requesting a name change.

And if you’d rather keep your married name, that’s perfectly acceptable too. The right decision is whichever one feels best for you.

Once your court order is issued, take your time updating each agency and account. With a little patience and organization, you can move forward confidently with a name that reflects your new beginning.

Here’s to new beginnings—and shorter signatures!