§ 2080 Name Restoration In Divorce

Family Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says that if you're getting a divorce or annulment, you can ask the court to change your name back to what it was before you got married.

Key Takeaways

•You can ask to change your name back during a divorce or annulment.
•This doesn't apply if you're just legally separating (not divorcing).
•You can ask for this even if you didn't mention it when you first filed for divorce.

Example

Jane got married and took her husband's last name, Smith. Now she's getting a divorce and wants her old last name, Johnson, back.

Jane can ask the court during the divorce to change her name back to Johnson, even if she didn't ask for it when she first filed for divorce.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 2080 Name Restoration In Divorce

In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or for nullity of marriage, but not in a proceeding for legal separation of the parties, the court, upon the request of a party, shall restore the birth name or former name of that party, regardless of whether a request for restoration of the name was included in the petition. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 780, Sec. 2. (SB 1150) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

dissolution of marriage nullity of marriage legal separation restore the birth name or former name

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Family Code. Section 2080.

Key Takeaways

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

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