In Alaska the court may restore the previous name of either spouse by either a Judgment of Divorce or Decree of Dissolution of Marriage. An adult's name may be returned to a previous name as part of a divorce or dissolution proceeding, otherwise it must be done in a separate Change of Name Case using the court packet Adult Change of Name Packet (CIV-698). [Alaska Statutes; Sections 25.24.165 and 25.24.230]

“In a judgment in an action for divorce or action declaring a marriage void, the court may change the name of either of the parties.” When a party “seeks a change of name to a name other than a prior name,” the regime becomes more complicated and it includes a “hearing not less than 40 days after filing of the action” and publication of a notice of the application for a change of name to a name published once each week for four consecutive calendar weeks before the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the judicial district.” The court may also require posting of the notice at locations it considers appropriate.

The court authorizes the new name not less than 30 days after handing down the judgment when it is satisfied that no reasonable objection exists to the new name. The party shall publish notice of the approval of the name change in a newspaper of general circulation in the judicial district within 10 days after issuance of the judgment. The court may also require the posting of a copy of the judgment.