help with surname

clairelouise2222

hi all
i dont no if im in the right place, but here goes
my mum married when i was 2 & gave me my step dads surname but on my birth cert its my real dads, i want to go back to using that, i have my drivers licence in my real name but my n.i is in my step dads name along with banks etc etc, if i go back to using my original name can i still be traced, i.e debts, council etc coz really the name im using now isnt really a person, if ya understand, only a few people no my actual real surname.
if i changed it on the electoral register will my previous surname still be on with my actual surname, will anyone no i was once using that surname
hope anyone can understand my dilema and be able to help me
thanks

borders_dude

What is your motivation for wanting to use a different surname is it to avoid debt?

I dont know the rules in England and Wales but in Scotland you can be called whatever you want providing its not for fraud etc; If you changed your name to avoid legitimate debt, then in Scotland you would be committing an offence. One the Sherif and the Procurator Fiscal would take a dim view of.

stclair

clairelouise2222 wrote: »

hi all
i dont no if im in the right place, but here goes
my mum married when i was 2 & gave me my step dads surname but on my birth cert its my real dads, i want to go back to using that, i have my drivers licence in my real name but my n.i is in my step dads name along with banks etc etc, if i go back to using my original name can i still be traced, i.e debts, council etc coz really the name im using now isnt really a person, if ya understand, only a few people no my actual real surname.
if i changed it on the electoral register will my previous surname still be on with my actual surname, will anyone no i was once using that surname
hope anyone can understand my dilema and be able to help me
thanks

Yes you will be trace able as once you change your name with the banks etc its recorded with the CRAs

Savvybunny2009

Legally you have to inform your bank, and debtors. It also states when you change your name that you will only use that name from that date onwards, so you will need to change your ppassport, drivers licence, home policies etc. Unfortunately if you are avoiding debt its not really a good way to go, as soon as your bank knows your new name, so do your debtors I'm afraid.

Valli

borders_dude wrote: »

What is your motivation for wanting to use a different surname is it to avoid debt?

I dont know the rules in England and Wales but in Scotland you can be called whatever you want providing its not for fraud etc; If you changed your name to avoid legitimate debt, then in Scotland you would be committing an offence. One the Sherif and the Procurator Fiscal would take a dim view of.

same in England and Wales. (except for the sherif bit;))

You can be use any name you wish and change it 'just' by declaring it BUT it cannot be done to avoid trouble...
you can also change your name officially by deed poll.

When I divorced I reverted to my maiden name BUT when I fill in a CRB check (as I work with children) I HAVE to declare all previous surnames on that.

Old_Git

there are three ways to avoid debt .:rolleyes:
1 dont get into debt
2 pay your debts
3 you die .:eek:
and I am not sure if you can avoid you debts if you die
changing your name will make no difference

olly300

Old_Git wrote: »

there are three ways to avoid debt .:rolleyes:
1 dont get into debt
2 pay your debts
3 you die .:eek:
and I am not sure if you can avoid you debts if you die
changing your name will make no difference

If you die the money comes from your estate.

If you have nothing in the estate then the debt gets written off.

hethmar

You say it isnt a "real name" but you have your NI number attached to it so you will be traceable through that. You cant change the NI number or your NHS number which I also assume is in your step fathers surname.

hothothot_3

clairelouise2222 wrote: »

hi all
i dont no if im in the right place, but here goes
my mum married when i was 2 & gave me my step dads surname but on my birth cert its my real dads, i want to go back to using that, i have my drivers licence in my real name but my n.i is in my step dads name along with banks etc etc, if i go back to using my original name can i still be traced, i.e debts, council etc coz really the name im using now isnt really a person, if ya understand, only a few people no my actual real surname.
if i changed it on the electoral register will my previous surname still be on with my actual surname, will anyone no i was once using that surname
hope anyone can understand my dilema and be able to help me
thanks

It would help to know what area of the UK you live, as the law is different between Scotland / England&Wales.

Rule of thumb is that you can either change your name via deed poll (the easiest way). You are then obliged to inform everyone who holds information about you that you have abandoned your previous name. Also when you fill out application forms and they ask specifically for previous names you are expected to put your former surname there. Once you have a deed poll (which must be signed by a witness) it is then your responsibility to inform the organisations - no record of this will be held anywhere, and the only person who knows your new identity is yourself and the witness.

hothothot_3

hethmar wrote: »

You say it isnt a "real name" but you have your NI number attached to it so you will be traceable through that. You cant change the NI number or your NHS number which I also assume is in your step fathers surname.

Correct, and Im not sure about whether the OP has been legal to have used two seperate identities at the same time. I think it is ok as long as it is not used for a financial gain.

clairelouise2222

borders_dude wrote: »

What is your motivation for wanting to use a different surname is it to avoid debt?

I dont know the rules in England and Wales but in Scotland you can be called whatever you want providing its not for fraud etc; If you changed your name to avoid legitimate debt, then in Scotland you would be committing an offence. One the Sherif and the Procurator Fiscal would take a dim view of.

Sorry for the very late reply, I dint think anyone would reply, my main reasons for wanting to change my surname is because I hate my mums ex husband and don't want to be associated with him, I'm not in debt but I do have 2ccjs in stepdads surname so wondered if I changed it on the electrol list would that show up, I have bank accounts in both surnames so I wunt really need to tell everyone , does this make sence can you see what I'm asking
thanks guys