Legal/ Bank Question (name change)

klava

I'm a foreigner living in the UK and since the embassy won't accept deed polls, I've hired a solicitor in my home country to get the name on my birth certificate amended. Then only I'd be allowed to change the name on my passport through the embassy. The process is going to take approximately a month and I should be ale to change the name on my passport by the end of February or early next month.

Meanwhile, I'm being impatient and feel the urge to start using the new name. I have ordered a deed poll so that I can start changing the name on my bank accounts.

I know I'd be able to change the name of my bank accounts with a deed poll- but is it LEGAL to start using the new name for my bank accounts where my passport is still under the old name?

jonesMUFCforever

It might be.
It might seem odd to a bank you changing your name with a deed poll and might ask for other identification to verify this.

GingerFurball_2

I don't see why it would be illegal but you might struggle to open accounts if you cannot produce identification that matches the name you've made the application in.

colsten

No offence but I do sincerely hope the bank(s) will not just let you change your name without seeing proof of your revised ID. In fact, I'd expect them to block your account(s) if you are unable to provide the relevant proof.

10pence

Depends, the bank should insist on seeing ID to back up the change of name.

Some other thoughts could be with your home country; such as what country you're from, are you subject to immigration controls (VISA status).

The bank might not like the idea of change of name and could cease having you as a customer.

You should not apply for Deed Poll until you have documents from your Embassy to back up the change of name.

klava

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

It might be.
It might seem odd to a bank you changing your name with a deed poll and might ask for other identification to verify this.

No, a proof of ID is required if you do it in branch- but only a deed poll and a signed form/ letter are needed if it is done by post. I have called NatWest and Lloyds to verify this.

The question is, is it legal to do so (having a different name for the bank accounts from the passport---temporarily for 2/3 weeks)?

colsten

klava wrote: »

The question is, is it legal to do so (having a different name for the bank accounts from the passport---temporarily for 2/3 weeks)?

The question you should ask yourself is whether you are able to provide proof of ID when asked for it.

There are good reasons for why your passport doesn't agree with your legal name - such as recent marriage or divorce, or change of name by deed poll - but in all legitimate cases, you will have the appropriate documents to support your change of name.

Not really sure why and what you are asking.

10pence

klava wrote: »

No, a proof of ID is required if you do it in branch- but only a deed poll and a signed form/ letter are needed if it is done by post. I have called NatWest and Lloyds to verify this.

The question is, is it legal to do so (having a different name for the bank accounts from the passport---temporarily for 2/3 weeks)?

From Deed Poll site:

If you live in the U.K.

You can use a deed poll to update your documents and records in the U.K., such as your driving licence and your tax records, but to update your documents in your country of origin, you’ll have to follow your own country's procedure.
Thus before applying for a deed poll, you should check with your Embassy or High Commission in the U.K. to see:

• if your country of origin will accept your change of name
• if they’ll issue you a new passport (or amend your existing passport) to show your new name
• what the procedure is for changing your name in your country of origin, and — if they’ll accept a change of name by deed poll — whether there are any special requirements for a deed poll to be acceptable, for example, that your deed poll needs to be witnessed by a solicitor, or needs to be legalised

If you cannot change your passport to be in your new name whilst in the U.K., we recommend that you wait until you return to your own country before changing your name. Your passport, travel bookings and tickets must always be in the same name — otherwise you may be denied entry into a country or refused passage by an airline.
If it’s not possible at all to change your passport to be in your new name, you may have difficulty updating your documents and records in the U.K. — on the grounds that you’re not changing your name for all purposes.

Get the ID first before deed poll.

Also, in the UK you cannot amend name on birth certificates - unless extraordinary circumstances - wanting to change on a whim isn't one of them. Maybe you home country is the same.

klava

10pence wrote: »

From Deed Poll site:

Get the ID first before deed poll.

Also, in the UK you cannot amend name on birth certificates - unless extraordinary circumstances - wanting to change on a whim isn't one of them. Maybe you home country is the same.

The rule from my home country is that the name on the birth certificate must be changed before changing the name on the passport. That's currently being processed and should be ready in a few weeks.

klava

colsten wrote: »

The question you should ask yourself is whether you are able to provide proof of ID when asked for it.

There are good reasons for why your passport doesn't agree with your legal name - such as recent marriage or divorce, or change of name by deed poll - but in all legitimate cases, you will have the appropriate documents to support your change of name.

Not really sure why and what you are asking.

I'm asking if it is legal to start updating my bank details with the new name while my birth certificate and passport are currently being amended.

colsten

klava wrote: »

The rule from my home country is that the name on the birth certificate must be changed before changing the name on the passport. That's currently being processed and should be ready in a few weeks.

So you should be able to prove your new name ID within a few weeks. Excuse me if it's dim question, but what's your problem?