Can my husband to be take my surname instead of his?

black-saturn

I'm getting married soon. My boyfriend doesn't like his surname and never has (and I'm not too keen on it either). Is there any way that he can take my surname instead of me take his? Also my children have my surname. I would hate them having a different surname to me.

All friendly and useful replies will be thanked :beer:

wigginsmum

I don't see why not - when my DH married his first wife, they joined their surnames by common usage, and simply reverted back when they split, while the kids retained the joined surnames. Not sure how you'd do a legal official name change, but really it's up to you guys what you do with your names I kept mine - didn't want to be spelling DH's surname for the rest of my life.

sloppychops

http://www.williamsthompson.co.uk/news4.asp

I changed mine to hubbys surname when we got married and looking back i wish i had kept my maiden name as im always having to pronounce/spell it out to people with it being Maltese.

Heth_2

I think he would have to change it by deed poll, but apart from the logistics there is no reason why he shouldn't change his surname instead of the more usual you changing yours. Will that mean he has a different surname from his daughter though?

Julysea

When I changed my name back to own surname after my divorce some time ago, the solicitor advised me that it is perfectly legal to call yourself whatever you like as long as you are not doing it for purposes of fraud. As it's not very usual for a man to change his name upon marriage you may need to get a Statutory Declaration from a solicitor or notary just to prove the change to banks and passport offices, but you can use his name, your name, a joint name or something you completely made up, it's up to you! I didn't change my name when I marrie4d for the second time. I have my name, he has his and our children ahve his name because my name is silly!

LeanneF

I had a look into the whole name-changing thing when I got married recently.

I am *almost* certain that it's only the woman who can change her name without having to pay via deedpoll. I know the woman can legally use both names.

Otherwise you can change your H2B's via deedpoll. It is advised to do this before the ceremony as a cost-cutting measure if you're going to make up a whole new surname because then you'll only pay for the man & the lady gets to change her name free upon marriage.

black-saturn

Heth wrote:

I think he would have to change it by deed poll, but apart from the logistics there is no reason why he shouldn't change his surname instead of the more usual you changing yours. Will that mean he has a different surname from his daughter though?

Yes it would sadly but were just thinking of ideas at the moment.

tawnyowls

LeanneF wrote:

I am *almost* certain that it's only the woman who can change her name without having to pay via deedpoll. I know the woman can legally use both names.

Yes, that's correct. Makes a change for the man to have to jump through more hoops! The official line regarding the law is here: http://www.deedpollsonline.co.uk/

You'll see that they recommend that if you choose a different name altogether, changing the name may be better done before the marriage rather than after.

mystic_trev

I'll never forget a certain young lady who should have got her Husband to take her name! When married she became Mrs Emma Royds.

Work it it yourself!

lynzpower

I cant wait to get shot of my surname and I never thought I would, but OHs is well better than mine ( Sorry BS, I know this isnt partic helpful lol)

AFAIK your kids dont need to change thier names at all? and your hubby can def have your name, as weve discussed it ourselves.

Mumstheword

Can't you go double barrelled so that all the kids have the same name (or part of) as their parent? It also ties you both in, by name, as step parents to your step children.

Whilst I understand the issue is that neither of you like his name, now that there are children involved, it could be quite an insult to them if he just changed his name completely.