Changing Your Name in District of Columbia
How adults change their legal name in District of Columbia: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: A D.C. resident files an application in the Superior Court stating the reasons and the name wanted. The former notice/publication section has been repealed. The court may grant the change upon a showing it considers satisfactory. D.C. Code §§ 16-2501, 16-2502 (repealed), 16-2503
| Legal name change | A D.C. resident files an application in the Superior Court stating the reasons and the name wanted. The former notice/publication section has been repealed. The court may grant the change upon a showing it considers satisfactory. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
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| Changing your name after divorce | In a divorce, the court must, at the request of a spouse who took a new name on marriage and wants to stop using it, state in the divorce decree the birth name or other previous name that spouse wants to use. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 16-915 |
Where to get help in District of Columbia
More District of Columbia divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in District of Columbia
- Adopting a Child in District of Columbia
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in District of Columbia
- Establishing Paternity in District of Columbia
- Child Custody Laws in District of Columbia
- How Child Support Is Calculated in District of Columbia
- Divorce Records in District of Columbia
- Alimony and Spousal Support in District of Columbia
- How to File for Divorce in District of Columbia
- Legal Separation and Annulment in District of Columbia
- All District of Columbia divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in District of Columbia?
A D.C. resident files an application in the Superior Court stating the reasons and the name wanted. The former notice/publication section has been repealed. The court may grant the change upon a showing it considers satisfactory.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in District of Columbia?
In a divorce, the court must, at the request of a spouse who took a new name on marriage and wants to stop using it, state in the divorce decree the birth name or other previous name that spouse wants to use.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.