Changing Name after Divorce

hic36

Hi, quick question hoping someone might know the answer to. Going to court tomorrow to finally get my Decree Absolute, I want to revert back to my maiden name and am hearing various rules about this. Any Advice please.

Do I have to go legal through solicitor to do this or am I still allowed to contact people and say "I wish to be known as ..... from date" (i know you could do this a few years back but not sure if the law has changed).

Is the decree absolute proof enough for the banks or do I need to do something else. Sorry about the questions getting myself a bit mithered over it. Hope someone can help. Thanks.

Rince

Hi, when I got divorced, i phoned my bank to change my name back to my maide name and they said I had to go through a solicitor and do it by deed poll, so I did. This gives you a bit of paper that legally says I wish to be known as 'blah bah blah', you just sent this to everyone.
However, i then find out that i didn't need to do this and that most people, banks etc will just accept that you want to be known as anothing name. Nt sure if the law has changed on this as this was 10 years ago.

A friend og my has changd er name via deed pl via the internet and its only cost her £15 which is really cheap, when I used a solicitor it was about £100 10 years ago.

Hopefuly someone else will post and have a definitive answer.
Hope it goes well at court.:o

kisto

hic36 wrote: »

Hi, quick question hoping someone might know the answer to. Going to court tomorrow to finally get my Decree Absolute, I want to revert back to my maiden name and am hearing various rules about this. Any Advice please.

I'd like to know the answer to this too. I asked my solicitor and she said I could change my name now if I wanted (not had my Nisi through yet), but it would cost me £50 (money I don't have).

Here is information on deed poll: http://www.ukdps.co.uk
I found this:
http://www.ukdps.co.uk/AWomansRightsUponDivorce.html

hic36

Hi guys thanks for the replys, here is an update: Decree Absolute given today everything went fine:j .

As I was in town thought I would nip to the bank and ask what I needed to do. Lady behind the counter was quite helpful, had to phone superiors and ask what she had got to do! I was asked to give a copy of my photocard driving licence (which is currently still in married name), and also a copy of the Decree Absolute, this she then wrote down on a piece of paper along with my account number and she got me to sign with both signatures (married, and maiden) and then she faxed it to head office. This should be all I need to do she said and someone would contact me about the change. I'll let you know how long it takes and whether I need to do anything else.

auoq86

I reverted to my maiden name when I split from my husband. It was a very straightforward process. You simply start using the name you wish to be known by and inform banks/building society/passport office etc.

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to complete a deed poll, but it helps to have evidence of your name change. As I reverted to my maiden name I used my birth certificate as evidence where it was requested.

The CAB have some useful information which can be found by following this link:www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/family/change_of_name.htm

WeeMo_3

Can you just revert to your maiden name after divorve? Any paperwork?

January20

When I divorced I could have had a piece of paper drawn up at the solicitors to return to using my maiden name, or I could have just started to use it again and let the necessary organisations know, like banks etc.

I chose the second option - having spent enough at the solicitor's already - and that was over 7 ago.

My only concern was that my DD and I wouldn't have the same surname anymore but she said that she didn't mind because not having the same name would not alter our relationship. Schools are used to this nowadays so no problems there.

pink.1970

I agree with January20 I went back to maiden name and just informed those who neeeded to know, also changed passport when it needed renewing. All with no probs, that was 2 years ago

iceicebaby

I have very recently changed back to Maiden name after divorce. I did just call myself by my Maiden name but banks, dvla, credit cards, passport etc wanted to see documentary evidence. If your maiden name is what is on your birth certificate then showing them your divorce papers and your birth certificate is sufficient. Was a little more difficult for me as my maiden name is not the name on my birth certificate so I had to get a deed poll done but again thats no hassle really either. As I say I have just recenly (last month) gone through all this so if you need any further info just shout!

elaine373

I have always been under the impression that you can go by any name as long as its not for fraudulent purposes. Correct me, any-one, if i am wrong.:A

margaretclare

The law - as it was explained to me some years ago - is that anyone can call herself/himself anything as long as there is no intention to defraud i.e. pretending to be someone else in order to claim a title or under a will.

Officialdom being what it is, probably a deed-poll document would suffice.

In England there has never been a requirement for a woman to take a husband's name on marriage.

HTH

Margaret