Changing name after divorce - Tips?

nonnatus

Hello,

As per the title really. Decree Absolute has now arrived and I'd like to return to my maiden name but it's all a bit daunting.

The kids would like to retain their Dads name, although they live with me, and that's all fine by me.

Any ideas what to do first? driving licence? bank accounts? Utilities? Insurance?

I'm guessing doing all this is going to come at a price too.

Absolutely

I can't find the thread, but I posted about this a while ago.

I paid about £40 for Deed Poll to revert to my maiden name following my divorce.

Someone on here told me I didn't need to do that. I could have just written to all utility companies, etc enclosing a copy of my Decree Absolute and Birth Cert, asking that their records be changed as I was now going to use my maiden name.

Could've saved me £40!

I'd suggest popping into your bank and trying to change things with them first. Then writing to utility companies, etc.

The only thing I can think of that will cost you money to change are your drivers licence and your passport.

peachyprice

It's the exact same process you followed when you got marries, you just send off a copy of your DA instead of your marriage cert

But yes, you will have to pay for a new passport and you'll lose the time left on it unless it has less than 9 months remaining.

fluffnutter

Check out the deed poll site - they've got advice re. changing your name.

http://www.deedpoll.org.uk/AWomansRightsUponDivorce.html

System

Please be advised that the Deedpoll Service AKA www.deedpoll.org.uk is a private company who's sole aim is to make a profit. They have no official link or standing with any government department.

Official government web sites will normally be .gov.uk and not .org.uk

They are no different to any other rip-off deed poll company although their advice may be sound.

SaLoGo

I did my driving license first by sending of my birth & marriage certificate and my decree absolute. Then once that was back I went down the bank with the license to change it there. Then I just phoned round everyone else. A lot did it without proof, others wanted to see copies of the paperwork.

DO NOT pay for it!! there is no need. You don't have to change it by deed poll, so please don't use these companies that claim you do!!

Absolutely

SaLoGo wrote: »

DO NOT pay for it!! there is no need. You don't have to change it by deed poll, so please don't use these companies that claim you do!!

I absolutely agree!

LittleMrsThrifty

Hello

I did this a few months ago so should be able to help...

I went through my purse and important documents to make a list of everyone I have correspondence with. There will be more than you think! Utility companies, mortgage company, doctor, Tesco club card, DVLA etc.

You'll need show a clear "name trail" so I used my birth certificate, marriage certificate and decree absolute. If you don't have a copy of your marriage certificate you can obtain a copy or you may be able to use an old passport if you have one - or a letter from your solicitor.

Banks wanted to see original documents so I went in there. For everyone else I wrote a letter explaining I was going back to my maiden name with copies of the documents. I called my insurance company and they did it without the documents but wanted more money as divorcees are a greater risk. Grrr.

Only the driving licence and passport needed original documents. I did my driving licence first as I wasn't going away and it matched my V5 and insurance. You need a form from the post office (or order online) - it is the same as for a new licence. You need to send your old licence back but don't have to pay. The passport again you will need original documents (so send when your driving licence comes back) and a new passport - you will have to pay for this. You need to send your Documents with a letter saying you are reverting to your maiden name for all purposes.

You'll need to decide what title to use - I use Ms although some companies (and my friends) completely ignore this so I end up using all three.

There is no need to go via deed poll. In fact, I really objected to this as it is my name and I wasn't going to pay anyone £40 for the privilege of using it.

Any other questions, please ask!

SaLoGo

Only thing I had to pay for was a copy of the marriage cert as I'd given mine to the solicitor during the divorce!

peachyprice

LittleMrsThrifty wrote: »

I called my insurance company and they did it without the documents but wanted more money as divorcees are a greater risk. Grrr.

Pah, what a load of rubbish, surely you'd be far more focused without the ex in your life. Insurance companies will use any excuse to milk more money out of us.

SaLoGo

peachyprice wrote: »

Pah, what a load of rubbish, surely you'd be far more focused without the ex in your life. Insurance companies will use any excuse to milk more money out of us.

Mine almost doubled after I went from being married and employed to divorced and unemployed