Can I have accounts in married and single name?

jobbingmusician

OK, here's the story.

Got married in 2004. Use single name for my musical work, but married for day job. Of course, it was only a matter of time - an external client has made a cheque out to my married name (my fault, forgot to tell them. But it took me nearly 3 months to get the cheque, so don't want to cancel it). :rolleyes:

It seems to me that this might be an excellent time to start an extra current account in my married name and bag some freebies. Gutted that I've missed the Barclays deal (computer went down for a few days! :mad: )

But is there anything I've overlooked? Will a new account provider accept utility bills, passport, whatever in single name plus marriage lines as ID for a married name account? Should I change a utility bill to married name? Is it legal to have b accs in 2 different names, even???

Advice welcomed, and TIA!!!! :beer:

Mark7799

I believe you may be able to come to an arrangement with your Bank that will allow you to accept cheques in both names. You will probably need to visit someone at the Bank to explain this, I doubt if the average call centre worker will be able to fathom what you are trying to do :rotfl:

The Bank will ask you to sign an indemnity giving them recourse against you in the event of any problems incurred by their allowing you to pay cheques into an account that doesn't bear the name of the payee.

jobbingmusician

Thanks, but I already tried this - I emailed the bank to ask and got a very clear answer that they can only accept cheques in any 1 name to an account. In any case, this sounds like a good excuse to get some freebies with a new account, so my original question stands - is it possible to have 2 accounts in different names?

Mark7799

What if you went to the Abbey and opened a business account (no charges and it doesn't sound like you'd have enough activity to fall foul of their charges limitations) as "Married name" trading as "Maiden name". This way you'd have two names on one account and could accept cheques made payable to either which would also help if someone made a payment related to your musical work in your married name.

HTH

Rache_2

My bank (HSBC) allows me to pay in cheques in my married name and my maiden name (which I still use for work). My maiden name is on the account as most cheques getting paid in are work related.

lindabea

Strictly speaking, it is illegal for you to assume 2 identities. Once you get married or indeed change your name by deed poll, you must in effect declare which name you want to use. So your choice is either to change all your legal papers such as passport and driving license inc your bank accounts to your married name, or elect to stay using your maiden name.

It is not a legal requirement for a woman to take her husband's name - but it is easier to do so.

jobbingmusician

Thank you Linda - an answer to the actual question I asked!

Sadly, in the mean time I have been seduced by First Direct - £50 for new account and £22.50 from freefivers. We'll see what happens!

jonesMUFCforever

Mark7799 wrote:

I believe you may be able to come to an arrangement with your Bank that will allow you to accept cheques in both names. You will probably need to visit someone at the Bank to explain this, I doubt if the average call centre worker will be able to fathom what you are trying to do :rotfl:

The Bank will ask you to sign an indemnity giving them recourse against you in the event of any problems incurred by their allowing you to pay cheques into an account that doesn't bear the name of the payee.

Sorry but these days this sort of thing will not happen.
She needs to either get the cheque changed or change the name on the account by producing her marriage certificate at the branch.

suki1964

lindabea wrote:

Strictly speaking, it is illegal for you to assume 2 identities. Once you get married or indeed change your name by deed poll, you must in effect declare which name you want to use. So your choice is either to change all your legal papers such as passport and driving license inc your bank accounts to your married name, or elect to stay using your maiden name.

It is not a legal requirement for a woman to take her husband's name - but it is easier to do so.

Well I use both my maiden and married names and have never had a problem. I have an account with the halifax in my maiden name, a mortgage with the nationwide in my maiden name, and an account with abbey in my married name,tax office maiden name, place of work married name. Also various cards in either name and passport in maiden name. No one has told me that I HAVE to change anything and appear to be happy as long as I can prove I am who I say I am. At the moment Im selling my house and buying a new one in my married name and the only thing Ive had to produce is a copy of my marraige certificate along with my passport which I guess is the case for anyone. I have been in this situation for 4 years.

jobbingmusician

Thank you suki!!!! That's more or less what I'm doing - I use my married name for work but maiden for everything else. I'll keep you informed whether I am able to open the 2nd bank account - the tax office actually asked me which name I'd like to use, so they don't seem to have a problem!

suki1964

Just to add, today I went in to Halifax and opened yet another account in my maiden name and the chap asked me what name I wanted it in