Separated - rules around changing name back?

CDC2011

Mojisola - No I didn't change it by deed poll, just wrote to companies and sent my marriage certificate as confirmation.

Thank you for all the replies - really helpful

maman

An adult can choose to be called whatever they like provided it's not for purposes of fraud. Although I've remarried, I use my ex's name as it's become like a 'professional' work name for me. Just explain to the bank what you're doing and it should all be fine.

pinkwitch_2

I just changed back to my maiden name after my marriage ended and told banks etc, never had a problem.The way I looked at it was that's the name on my birth certificate.

kirstle99

I've just tried to go back to my maiden name today, going into the bank with my marriage certificate and my birth certificate. The bank were having none of it. They have told me that I HAVE to have a deed poll certificate for them to change it.

I'm quite hacked off about it to be honest, as it's looking like i'll have to pay to get one. Grr, never had to pay when I changed it to my married name though, did I....

TonyMMM

kirstle99 wrote: »

I've just tried to go back to my maiden name today, going into the bank with my marriage certificate and my birth certificate. The bank were having none of it. They have told me that I HAVE to have a deed poll certificate for them to change it.

They're wrong - try and get to talk someone who has a bit more of a clue. If they can't deal with it, close the account and open a new account at a different bank using your birth cert as ID if necessary

kirstle99

I thought they were wrong - I tried to explain to them but they were literally having none of it, the guy 'phoned head office' in front of me. I have just phoned DVLA to see what they say, and;

Apparantly because i'm not divorced, to go back to my maiden name they also require a deed poll certificate! What?!

CP26

A deed poll is essentially a deed with yourself stating that from x date you agree to only go by x name and no other.

You can produce one yourself (there's a few templates online) and have it signed by a witness. The only difference between this and the online ones you pay for is that the online ones come with a stamp or seal that makes them look a bit more official.

However...although I did my own deed poll (printed it on nice paper and everything) I still had to argue the toss with my bank. I had my passport in my maiden name (never changed it), my birth certificate my marriage certificate and had also had an account with them for donkey's years so they'd known me by both names.

Very begrudgingly they agreed to accept the deed poll as it was in conjunction with taking copies of all my ID. I also had pointed out that I could quite easily walk across the road to a different bank and open up a brand new account in my maiden name using my passport and birth certificate.

The DVLA changed my licence based on my passport so had no issues with them at all. The only other issue I had was with my pension company who didn't like my DIY deed poll but they agreed to accept my other forms of ID in the end.

Really annoying but persevere with them and ask to speak to someone higher up yourself. They're trying to prevent fraud at the end of the day but that's no reason to make it so difficult if you can prove who you are.

Mrs_Soup

If applying for a new job just apply for it in your maiden name and that's one less thing to change later- as your passport is still in maiden name you even have ID.