Potential Problem with Surname?

Jay1b

Evening

I was wondering if someone can help me. I'm looking at buying a house with my girlfriend. The problem is my girlfriend was born 'Smith' and her birth certificate is in Smith. Her parents split up when she was young.

Her step dad 'Bloggs' brought her up and she adopted his name in-formerly. Back in the eighties, banks were a lot lighter on ID and she had she bank accounts opened in Bloggs, her schooling and qualifications is in Bloggs, her driving license is in Bloggs and she's registered to vote as Bloggs. Her passport is in Smith.

I remember when I brought a house six or so years ago, I had to go and see a 'Notary' and show some ID. I can't remember the exact details as it was a while ago.

We've shown her driving license to the mortgage advisor, and that's all fine. Do you still need to go and see a notary? and if so what ID do they require? Are we going to run into issues?

Thanks

Jamie

SuzieSue

A photocard driving licence should be sufficient to prove ID, however, it would be best to change your GF's name by deed poll (you can do this quite cheaply on-line) and then change the name on her passport using a certified copy of the deed poll. It is quite expensive to do this so it would be best to do it when her passport is due to expire.

You might want to check with the passport agency, but I think that it is not advisable for your GF to use her current passport if she is known as Bloggs for all other purposes.

geoffky

Her name is bloggs because that is the name she uses everyday..its her legal name..Smith is her birth name.

xylophone

When you get married she can change her name to yours...;)

Biggles

SuzieSue wrote: »

You might want to check with the passport agency, but I think that it is not advisable for your GF to use her current passport if she is known as Bloggs for all other purposes.

The passport seems to be the only document out of step, she should probably get that changed for practical reasons. Deed poll shouldn't be necessary, everything else is already under Bloggs.

rosyw

Biggles wrote: »

The passport seems to be the only document out of step, she should probably get that changed for practical reasons. Deed poll shouldn't be necessary, everything else is already under Bloggs.

Sorry, but I disagree. I had to get my name changed by deed poll in order to get my passport in the name I had used for everything else for many years. It's easy, quick and cheap to do this online, and agree that unless it causes a real problem there's no need to change it until the passport is due for renewal.

jen_br

I use my maiden and married name and all my ID is split banks known me as married... passport in maiden... I do carry my marriage certificate for proof I am one in the same.

Surely there is an adoption certificate floating about that proves the same. Also, they generally ask if you have been known by any other name.

Strapped

rosyw wrote: »

Sorry, but I disagree. I had to get my name changed by deed poll in order to get my passport in the name I had used for everything else for many years. It's easy, quick and cheap to do this online, and agree that unless it causes a real problem there's no need to change it until the passport is due for renewal.

and completely unnecessary. It's one of my irritations how deed poll companies try to present themselves as something "official". No-one needs a deed poll document. Your legal name is the one you are known by so long as you have abandoned any other name and are not doing it for the purposes of fraud. Which means that yes she should change her passport (simple letter stating that they have been known by Bloggs for x years and do not use Smith is sufficient) if she wants to travel abroad but not necessary for a mortgage application.

SuzieSue

Strapped wrote: »

and completely unnecessary. It's one of my irritations how deed poll companies try to present themselves as something "official". No-one needs a deed poll document. Your legal name is the one you are known by so long as you have abandoned any other name and are not doing it for the purposes of fraud. Which means that yes she should change her passport (simple letter stating that they have been known by Bloggs for x years and do not use Smith is sufficient) if she wants to travel abroad but not necessary for a mortgage application.

You might well be right, but in my experience most, if not all, organisations insist on a deed poll before they will change your name on their systems.

Biggles

SuzieSue wrote: »

You might well be right, but in my experience most, if not all, organisations insist on a deed poll before they will change your name on their systems.

I think that's just because it makes it easier for them. They can all do it without, but it makes them work a bit harder to validate the new name.

Jay1b

Thanks for the replies.

Just to clarify, she was never adopted. Bank accounts were opened back before they asked for ID.

She's flown loads of times on her passport, just a problem hiring a car when abroad!

As for the marriage suggestion! Thanks! Not another one! I get that all the time....... (soon though)

I think we're just run the risk, it should be fine - we aren't doing anything to deceive anyone, and a photocard driving license should be enough.