Alaska Name Change Resources: Know Each Step
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A name change in Alaska can come up inside a divorce, where a spouse asks to restore a former name, or as its own filing. Either way the court has to approve it in writing before the new name is official.
The official Alaska documents below cover the request. Once the order is signed, you normally take a certified copy to the agencies that hold your records.
Official Alaska name change resources
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Alaska family law forms (official index) (Alaska judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Alaska family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://courts.alaska.gov/forms
Alaska court self-help resources (Alaska courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Alaska family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://courts.alaska.gov/shc
Alaska court locations by community (Alaska judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://courts.alaska.gov/courtdir/index.htm
TrueFiling (ImageSoft TrueFiling): Alaska uses TrueFiling statewide and most people, including those without lawyers, are expected to file online unless they qualify for an exception such as no safe internet access or a disability. https://courts.alaska.gov/efile/index.htm
Verified official Alaska name change documents
These official documents are what Alaska publishes for a name change request.
Request to Change to New Name in Divorce Case (DR-956), form DR-956 (Name Change), official document: https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/forms/docs/dr-956.pdf
Official link data for Alaska was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Can I restore my former name in the divorce itself?
In many states yes, if you ask for it before the final order is entered. Ask early, because reopening the case later is more work than including it up front.
What do I do after the judge signs it?
Get certified copies of the order and take them to the agencies that hold your records. Each agency has its own process.
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