Changing surname

tea_lover

Some musings about name changing... this may not make much sense!

I married in 2001, and we split up very shortly afterwards. After we split, and subsequently divorced I kept my married name. I did this for a number of reasons: 1) I'd only just changed everything to my married name, 2) I never liked my maiden name and was glad to see the back of it, 3) I knew it would annoy my ex-MIL (ok, not a serious consideration but it did bring a smile to my face at the time).

I've been using my married name ever since, but have started to think that I'd like to change again. I'm still not at all keen on my maiden name but have considered changing to my grandparents' name.

But will it look strange if I change now?? I don't want people assuming I've got married (have been with my partner for over 8 years but we have no plans to marry).

Changing name on divorce or marriage makes sense, but is it too random to change 13 years after divorce??

I've got no children, so there's no one else with my current name to consider.

whitewing

I saw my old initials on something the other day and couldn't think who it was!

It may seem a bit strange for a while but people will soon forget that it was ever any different.

maggy50

You can change your name by deed poll or just change it .
All you need to do is inform all the relevant authorities bank , work, DWP, tax man etc. that you want to be known by your new name.
Why worry about what people think ?

picklekin

If people question you, just say you'd like to do it for your granddad. My OH did that as he was the "last of the line" and wanted him to have the family name not his mothers married name, quite sweet really.

tea_lover

maggy50 wrote: »

Why worry about what people think ?

I don't know, it just seems weird! I've used my married name for such a long time since my divorce that I think it will look odd to change it now, without a reason as such. But I do appreciate that it's unlikely anyone else will actually give a monkeys :rotfl:.

GobbledyGook

If anyone did comment then a simple 'I just never got round to it after my divorce' would shush them I imagine. Or 'Just getting rid of the last remnants of the marriage'.

I don't think people would be at all surprised by a divorced woman changing her name. Maybe only people you've met since then who maybe wouldn't have thought about the fact it's your married name.

tea_lover

GobbledyGook wrote: »

I don't think people would be at all surprised by a divorced woman changing her name. Maybe only people you've met since then who maybe wouldn't have thought about the fact it's your married name.

Maybe this is why I think it might be weird, most people I know now are from after I was married!

maman

maggy50 wrote: »

You can change your name by deed poll or just change it .
All you need to do is inform all the relevant authorities bank , work, DWP, tax man etc. that you want to be known by your new name.

This is correct. provided it's not done with an intention to defraud then as long as you let relevant authorities know you can call yourself what you like.

tea_lover wrote: »

Maybe this is why I think it might be weird, most people I know now are from after I was married!

So they may not even realise it's your former married name you use. What people think shouldn't really come into it but if you feel the need to explain then just tell them you didn't want to keep using the name of a man you hadn't been married to for years.


I know it's Valentines on Friday so had you considered marrying your current OH? It would be such a faff to change it TWICE!!;)

tea_lover

maman wrote: »

I know it's Valentines on Friday so had you considered marrying your current OH? It would be such a faff to change it TWICE!!;)

Ha! That is v much not on the cards:rotfl:. Reminds me of a friend of mine though - she hated her double-barrelled surname so changed it by deedpoll, then got engaged about a week later and was married with a different surname within a couple of months. Have no idea why she didn't just use a different name in the first place!

If I do change mine I'll just use something else and let the official people (banks etc) know. It really annoys me when people believe they have to spend money to change their name.

alias*alibi

tea_lover wrote: »

Some musings about name changing... this may not make much sense!

I married in 2001, and we split up very shortly afterwards. After we split, and subsequently divorced I kept my married name. I did this for a number of reasons: 1) I'd only just changed everything to my married name, 2) I never liked my maiden name and was glad to see the back of it, 3) I knew it would annoy my ex-MIL (ok, not a serious consideration but it did bring a smile to my face at the time).

I've been using my married name ever since, but have started to think that I'd like to change again. I'm still not at all keen on my maiden name but have considered changing to my grandparents' name.

But will it look strange if I change now?? I don't want people assuming I've got married (have been with my partner for over 8 years but we have no plans to marry).

Changing name on divorce or marriage makes sense, but is it too random to change 13 years after divorce??

I've got no children, so there's no one else with my current name to consider.

A guy I know got married to his wife who took his surname. After a couple of weeks she decided she wanted to be individual so changed her surname to her grandmothers not back to her maiden name. They are still married 30 years on but different surnames; his son has his surname and the girls have their mum's/grandmothers.

Strange set up to me but it's worked for them for 30 odd years.

Georgiegirl256

tea_lover wrote: »

If I do change mine I'll just use something else and let the official people (banks etc) know. It really annoys me when people believe they have to spend money to change their name.

I always get confused with all this name changing lark! Like you say, you can call yourself what you want, so why do some people change their name by deed pole?

Btw, I think it's lovely to want to take your grandparents name.