How to Change Your Name After Divorce in Alaska

You got your divorce decree from Alaska Superior Court, and it includes the name restoration you requested under AS § 25.24.165. The court even did it at no extra charge. But that decree is an authorization, not an automatic change — no agency updates your records for you.

Here is the exact sequence that works, and why the order matters.

The Sequence You Cannot Skip

Alaska's name change process has a strict dependency chain. The Social Security Administration (SSA) database is the primary verification source for every other state and federal system. If you walk into the Alaska DMV before updating SSA, they will reject your application on the spot because the name on your Social Security record will not match your divorce decree.

The correct order: SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then everything else.

Step 1: Social Security Administration

Complete Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card). You can apply in person at the Anchorage SSA office at 222 W. 8th Avenue or the Fairbanks office at 101 12th Avenue, or mail it in.

You will need:

• Original certified copy of your divorce decree with the name restoration language (no photocopies — they require original court-certified documents with the raised seal)
• Current government-issued photo ID

The SSA processes name corrections at no cost. Your new card arrives by mail in 10 to 14 business days with the same Social Security number.

Step 2: Alaska DMV

Under AS § 28.05.071, you are legally required to notify the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of your name change taking effect. This is a statutory deadline, not a suggestion.

Complete Form D1 (Application for Driver License, Permit or State Identification Card). You must appear in person — mail-in name changes are not permitted.

Bring:

• Your current Alaska driver's license or state ID
• Original certified copy of your divorce decree
• Your new Social Security card or the official SSA receipt showing the name correction

If you have changed your name multiple times, bring a contiguous chain of documentation (prior marriage certificates, adoption records, court orders) linking back to your birth certificate name.

The fee is $35 for a duplicate license or state ID. If you are 60 or older, the fee is waived entirely. The DMV prints a temporary paper license on the spot, and your permanent card arrives in 2 to 4 weeks.

Step 3: U.S. Passport

Your passport update method depends on when your current passport was issued:

Issued less than one year ago: Complete Form DS-82 and mail it with your current passport, a certified copy of your divorce decree, and a new passport photo. There is no fee for this correction. Mail via USPS only — FedEx and UPS cannot deliver to State Department PO Box addresses.

Issued more than one year ago: Apply in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility (such as the Anchorage Post Office at 344 W. 3rd Avenue) using Form DS-11. Fees are $130 for a passport book plus a $35 execution fee. Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks; expedited processing ($60 additional) takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Step 4: Everything Else

Once your SSA, DMV, and passport are updated, work through these accounts:

• Bank accounts and credit cards
• Employer payroll and HR records
• Health insurance and life insurance policies
• Utility accounts (Chugach Electric, Enstar, GCI)
• Voter registration
• Vehicle registration and title
• Professional licenses

Each institution will want a certified copy of your divorce decree, so order several from the Clerk of Superior Court before you start.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

Most people complete the full name change sequence in 4 to 6 weeks. The SSA card (10-14 business days) is the bottleneck — everything else can move quickly once that arrives. The 30-day DMV deadline under AS § 28.05.071 is achievable if you submit your SSA application within the first week after receiving your decree.

The Alaska After-Divorce Checklist maps out every name change step with the exact forms, offices, and fees so nothing falls through the cracks.

See more Alaska guides →