Financial implications of changing my name

thepitcanary

My first post on MSE...

I want to change my surname prior to getting married next year - I'm male, by the way. When we were little my dad turned our family name into a double-barreled name that includes the family name (made-up example: Green to Bright-Green) and I want to revert to the old family name (eg Green) before I get married next year. I've always wanted to, but getting married has proved a kick in the bum. My parents split up 25 years ago so it's not like I'm breaking up the family with this...

We want to buy a property end of next year (economy depending) - neither of us have a mortgage, and I have savings in excess of 20K. I have a current account and a credit card.

What are the financial implications? Are they the same as if I was a woman changing her name after marriage? I know *how* to do it (get Deed Poll, change name on passport, bank accounts, council tax and register, etc) - but will it affect my credit rating? Will it affect our ability to get a mortgage? In other words, does it financially 'matter'?

I'd really appreciate some direction on this - it's quite hard to find anything out there on this issue aimed at men...

d.ylan

I've done this myself, as a guy. Used a company called UKDPS for the Deed. Most financial institutions insist on seeing the Deed Poll document first hand, or a certified copy so the first thing I would suggest is getting a certified copy or two (even if you get them from your own solicitor rather than the ukdp company) because it really sped up being able to send more than one out at once.

As soon as you update your details with your banks or any other financial institute they automatically alert the credit referencing agencies to link your new name to your old one, but you could also send the agencies courtesy copies of your documents too. There was a seamless transition, with my previous credit history staying, and I've never had any problems. Applications often ask if you have changed your name in the last 3/5 years and you just fill in accordingly. I've not seen one that doesn't have this option, but if you get refused for any credit (assuming you have a good history) you could just write to them and briefly explain that you've had a legal change of name and would like to request a manual review, with a copy of your deed poll. I've remortgaged, taken out a CC, and opened new accounts etc since changing mine, no problem.

The company I used supplied a handy list of all the relevant people who need contacting, and give a sample letter for you to insert your details into, it's then just a matter of being organised for a few weeks to make sure you send the documents out in an orderly fashion (have to wait for the original document to be returned before you can send it to someone else. I amended the sample letter to stress the importance of returning the Deed with haste and didn't have any problems.

Hope this helps, go for it!

onlyroz

Do you need to change your name by deed poll if you're getting married? Can't you just change your name at the point of marriage?

Callisto

onlyroz wrote: »

Do you need to change your name by deed poll if you're getting married? Can't you just change your name at the point of marriage?

The man needs to change his surname by deedpoll before the wedding, the woman can then automatically take his new name. If the male does not change name before wedding, then they would both need to change name by deedpoll, as man would be recorded as having 'old' surname on marriage certificate and this would be the name the woman would be expected to take.

thepitcanary

dylan - awesome, thanks, spot on.

Callisto - indeed, also correct - that and the fact that Future Mrs has refused to change her name twice, so I've *got* to do it beforehand!

Loretta

You don't need to pay anyone to do this for you, just write that from .... date Mr bright green will be called and known as Mr green, take it to a comissioner of oaths, most firms of solicitors have one of these, and tell them you want to swear a document, they don't even need to know what it is, then you send this document to everyone like BS, bank and all government type places, driving licence etc and get everything changed. I don't know what the going rate is for swearing a document but it is just a quesation of holding a bible or something similar and saying I swear that the contents of this document are true and the comissioner of oaths signing that they witnessed you signing it.

iQueen

Provided that you are doing it for legitimate reasons, you need do no more than inform, in writing, all the necessary organisations... banks, HMRC, employer etc, etc. No Deed Poll, no lawyers, no cost other than a few stamps.

I have changed my name this way, twice: first before my second marriage and by reverting to my maiden name when that marriage ended.

Of course, you might also consider taking your new wife's name, as my sister's husband did.

POSSETTE

and us...i wanted to keep my name (im female!) after marriage so we went for Lon****-H***..i was Lon**** he was H***..we didnt have to do anything..when you sign the marriage certificate the registar said we can call ourselves anything as long we tell banks etc...
as for credit file it will automatically link to you current name, so you will still have your good history..whe you apply for any mortgage/loan it asks if you have been known by any other names..therefore linking you.

Ms_Chocaholic

Callisto wrote: »

The man needs to change his surname by deedpoll before the wedding, the woman can then automatically take his new name. If the male does not change name before wedding, then they would both need to change name by deedpoll, as man would be recorded as having 'old' surname on marriage certificate and this would be the name the woman would be expected to take.

What happens in the situation whereby a couple marry but the wife (usually) keeps her original surname and does not change it to that of her husband.

bikerqueen

nothing, i did that and did nothing