Changing my name back to maiden name with the bank

WelshWoofer

Hi,
I am almost divorced and want to change back to my maiden name when the decree absolute comes through in a week or two.
I never got around to changing the name on my passport or driving license (short lived marriage) and I think just about the only important organisations that I would need to change my name with is the bank, mortgage company, council tax and my employers(utilities etc are still in my maiden name).

My question is .... do I need to change my name back to my maiden name by deed poll or is the decree absolute proof enough for the bank etc?

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

cottonhead

The decree absolute should be proof enough. The bank will see what your old name was before if you were with them before you married so shouldnt ask for anything else.

WelshWoofer

Thank you.
I've been with the bank for donkey's years and they knew me as my maiden name for over 20 years, so hopefully it won't be a problem.

adamantine

dont know where you are but up here in scotland all i needed was a copy of marriage certificate and birth certificate and it was changed back no problems at all. i think the laws governing names in england are more strict but up here its more flexible as to what you can call yourself.

karen310

Decree absolute is all I needed , I did mine fairly recently with no probs.

Strapped

You actually don't need either - you can decide to call yourself whatever you want (with a few exceptions eg not giving yourself a title) and simply start using it. Putting this in writing to the bank should be fine, although it will probably smooth things if you provide a copy of the divorce certificate so they know the reason for the change, and they will know it's not because you are running from the law or something.

pogofish

A letter stating the name you want to be known by is enough.

Thegirl

When I got divorced twelve years ago I had to provide a deed poll certificate to my bank, the council tax people and a couple of creditors before they would change my name back to my maiden name, others were happy to do it over the phone.
I got married two and a half years ago and some organisations were refusing to change my name on my accounts unless I posted them a copy of my original wedding certificate (to a po box too so it couldn't even be sent recorded delivery...um no thanks).
Different organisations have different rules, regardless of what the law says.