name change

margaretclare

Yes, we had a solicitor on the premises who would witness these, so they were perfectly legal.

The only time CAB wouldn't do it was if it involved a child. Anyone over 16 could do it for themselves.

Aunty Margaret

lilac_lady

I thought that the law in Scotland was different from English law. In Scotland I understood that you didn't need a legal document but in England you had to change the name by deed poll. I don't know if this information is correct.

november

Bossyboots wrote:

You do not need any document to change your name, you just do it. What you will need though is a document evidencing the change and you simply need a statutory declaration (a free model for which is freely available on the internet) which you take to a solicitor to have witnessed. The only reason you would need this is for organisations who are not prepared to simply take your word for it that the name you are using is actually you. The fundamental rule on name changing is that you cannot do it if the intention is to deceive.

Agreeing absolutely with Bossyboots

For someone who has divorced, production of the decree absolute is sufficient documentation to establish the change of name back to maiden name although I have heard that not all of the banks accept just that as evidence anymore. Legally though, this is all you need.

Interesting. I can't think of one instance when someone (official) has accepted my Decree Absolute as change of name. So much so that over 20 years down the line I couldn't find my DA but could immediately put my hands on my Stat Dec. Originally way back when I needed it for the bank etc. More recently I needed it for the Registry Office as I'm getting remarried. They asked for decree absolute and stat. dec./deed poll if you had changed your name back.

Bossyboots

A colleague has recently remarried and she had changed her name back just on the strength of her DA and they accepted that at the Registry Office no questions asked.

I do know more and more places are beginning to quibble about it. In my town it has become increasingly apparent that the banks are being difficult and a friend had a bit of a to do with her payroll department but that is down to ignorance of the legal position.