2025 Session Last amended: 2000 session

§ 518.27 — Name of Party

Plain-Language Summary

Allows a person to change their name as part of a divorce or legal separation. The court must grant the name change unless the person intends to commit fraud. Using a new name without following proper legal steps is a gross misdemeanor.

518.27 NAME OF PARTY.

Except as provided in section 259.13, in the final decree of dissolution or legal separation the court shall, if requested by a party, change the name of that party to another name as the party requests. The court shall grant a request unless it finds that there is an intent to defraud or mislead, unless the name change is subject to section 259.13, in which case the requirements of that section apply. The court shall notify the parties that use of a different surname after dissolution or legal separation without complying with section 259.13, if applicable, is a gross misdemeanor. The party’s new name shall be so designated in the final decree.

History:

(8607) RL s 3596; 1974 c 107 s 17; 1975 c 52 s 5; 1978 c 772 s 47; 1979 c 259 s 22; 2000 c 311 art 3 s 6

History: History: (8607) RL s 3596; 1974 c 107 s 17; 1975 c 52 s 5; 1978 c 772 s 47; 1979 c 259 s 22; 2000 c 311 art 3 s 6

Practical Notes

If you want to change your name as part of your divorce (for example, going back to your maiden name), you can ask the judge to include the name change in the final decree. The court must grant your request unless there is evidence of fraud.

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes