| I am NOT an attorney.
If you are speaking in terms of name change in relation to a divorce, one of
the benefits aside from the obvious is that you are permitted to include in the divorce decree a request for name change from that which you are presently using to any post divorce name you wish. That name may be your maiden name.
If you missed the opportunity at a divorce, then you will need a court order to gain full benefits from a legal name change.
You can go by any name you wish as long as the intent is not to defraud. Problem is without a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court order for changing your name it is now impossible to obtain ID like a drivers license, passport, etc. | 
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