Change of name after divorce. What formalities must be met to revert to the surname before the wedding?

How do I revert to a surname before marriage?

Changing the name is an increasingly common practice. It concerns the vast majority of women who decide to take their husband’s surname at the time of the wedding. According to the applicable law, it is possible to return to the surname from before, but it requires an appropriate procedure. It should also be remembered that returning to the previous name requires the replacement of all documents with the name on it, as well as reporting the change to the employer, as well as to important offices, e.g. in ZUS or the Tax Office. Realizing how many formalities they will have to complete, many people give up changing their names. However, even this prospect does not scare some people away. If you are wondering how to revert to the last name you had before the wedding, below are a step-by-step instruction on how to proceed with this procedure.

Back to the maiden name. You need to know about it

Going back to your maiden name is not too complicated. It is enough to carefully read the accompanying procedure, collect the necessary documents and, above all, meet the indicated deadlines. If we manage to fulfill these conditions, then we can easily implement the change that interests us.

Basic information on changing your name after a divorce can be found on government websites belonging to the website. However, if you want more direct communication, then you should go to the Registry Office or use the help of a consul if you are abroad. The rules for both taking the spouse’s name and reversing the process are contained in the Family and Guardianship Code. In the 25th article of the above-mentioned of the Code, we find information that the surname that the spouse will bear after contracting the marriage is determined by his declaration made before the head of the registry office.

The reversal of this process is discussed in article 59, according to which it is possible to return to the surname before marriage within three months from the date on which the divorce judgment becomes final.

In order to revert to the previous surname, the spouse after the divorce should submit a relevant declaration before or at the consul within the time indicated above. After exceeding it, it is necessary to apply for an administrative change of name and submit an application to the head of the Registry Office. There is no need to go to the office appropriate for the place of residence or registration – the procedure can be started at any Registry Office.

A person wishing to revert to a maiden name should prepare the following documents:

• a document confirming your identity (or passport)
• proof of stamp duty (you can pay it directly at the office cash desk or make a transfer to your account)
• if he submits the declaration at the consulate, a copy of a legally valid court ruling on divorce or a full copy of the marriage certificate with the divorce entry will be required.

If the applicant applies for a change at the Registry Office, he must know the information about the place where the marriage certificate was drawn up and the date of the court’s decision on divorce becoming final.

Importantly, the declaration of return to the surname before the wedding is accepted immediately – this means that there is no need to wait for additional decisions, etc.