Legal Question in Family Law in California

I am a US citizen but am no longer a resident, now reside in Australia. I am in USA to visit for 2 months, and I have decided I want to revert to my maiden name as I now have a son and want him to have my maiden name as well. I divorced in 2014 but because I never planned on changing back I marked "n/a" under the name change portion. I tried to go to a local court in Orange County but they refused to give me a court order a. Because I'm not a resident and b. Because my divorce decree is from Washington state. Social security was happy to change it just with the divorce papers anyway but getting a new passport and all banks etc want the name change document. How can I get this changed back legally? At the court they told me a name reversal is $25 but to go get a formal name change is over $400 which I cannot afford. Keep in mind since I am visiting I really have no documents with me.


Asked on 11/08/19, 11:48 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

There is absolutely nothing you can do about this in California. California has no jurisdiction over your divorce nor a name change for a person divorced in Washington and not a resident of California. You will have to ask the Washington panel if there is anything you can do up there, perhaps by mail or something. California cannot help you.

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Answered on 11/11/19, 2:39 pm


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