How to Change Your Name After Divorce in Wyoming

Name restoration after a Wyoming divorce follows a strict sequence. Skip a step or go out of order, and you'll face mismatches between your IDs that stall everything from banking to passport applications.

There are two separate legal pathways, and they have very different costs and requirements.

Two Paths: Decree Restoration vs. Separate Petition

Path 1: Name restoration through your divorce decree. If your attorney included a name restoration clause in the Final Decree of Divorce, you already have legal authorization. All you need is a certified copy of the decree — no additional court filing, no publication requirement, no extra fees beyond copies.

Path 2: Separate adult name change petition. If name restoration wasn't included in your decree, you'll need to file a standalone petition under Wyo. Stat. § 1-25-101 using Forms NCA 06 and NCA 13. This requires two years of county residency, a $160 civil filing fee, and four weeks of newspaper publication. It's slower and more expensive — which is why requesting name restoration during the divorce proceedings matters so much.

If your decree didn't include it, path 2 is your only option. But for most divorcing spouses, path 1 is already done.

The Exact Agency Sequence

The order of agencies isn't optional. Each one depends on the previous update being complete.

Step 1: Social Security Administration. File Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card) at your local SSA office. Bring your certified divorce decree and original proof of identity and citizenship. There's no fee. The SSA database must update and match your new name before any state agency will accept it.

Step 2: WYDOT Driver Exam Office. Visit in person — there's no online option for divorce-related name changes. Bring your current driver's license, the certified decree, and your updated Social Security card (or the SSA receipt if your card hasn't arrived). You'll take a new photo and provide a new signature. Standard license renewal fees apply.

Step 3: U.S. Passport. Submit Form DS-82 (renewal) or DS-11 (new application) with a certified copy of your decree and your current passport. Standard renewal costs $130+, but if your current passport is less than one year old, use Form DS-5504 to update the name for free.

Step 4: Voter registration. Update at the County Clerk's Elections Department with your new government-issued photo ID. No fee. Can be done in person or via notarized mail-in application.

Step 5: Professional licensing boards. Wyoming state code requires licensees to notify their boards within 30 days of a name change. Submit a written name/address change form with a copy of the legal name change document to each board.

Accounts and Records to Update After

Once your government IDs are updated, work through these:

• Bank and credit union accounts (bring your new ID and certified decree)
• Credit cards (call each issuer; some accept written requests)
• Employer payroll (HR needs your new Social Security card for W-4 and tax records)
• Insurance policies (auto, homeowners, health, life)
• Mortgage servicer
• Vehicle title at the County Clerk's office
• Utilities and digital subscriptions

Common Delays and How to Avoid Them

The biggest holdup is trying to update your driver's license before the SSA database reflects your new name. WYDOT runs a real-time verification against Social Security — if there's a mismatch, your application stalls. Wait for your new Social Security card (typically 2–4 weeks) or at minimum confirm the SSA has processed your change before visiting a WYDOT office.

Another common issue: bringing a non-certified copy of the decree. Photocopies won't work at the SSA or WYDOT. Get multiple certified copies from the Clerk of District Court upfront — $1.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page, plus $5.00 per certification.

The Wyoming After-Divorce Checklist includes the full name change sequence with exact forms, fees, and a tracking worksheet so nothing falls through the cracks.

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