Am I too old to change my name?

chelseablue

Thank you all, some very interesting points.
I guess I don't like my name as even though it's my Mum's name it comes from someone who isn't related to me, who I've never even met


If I do decide to change do I need a deed poll? Do I just show the deed poll certificate to my bank, driving licence etc to get everything changed?

DaftyDuck

chelseablue wrote: »

My son has his Dad's surname (we are together)

Then, to make a cohesive unit, why not all adopt the same name, however you may choose to do this.

Person_one

chelseablue wrote: »

Thank you all, some very interesting points.
I guess I don't like my name as even though it's my Mum's name it comes from someone who isn't related to me, who I've never even met


If I do decide to change do I need a deed poll? Do I just show the deed poll certificate to my bank, driving licence etc to get everything changed?

You don't need a deed poll, and you don't need to pay anything. Just start using your name and change your documents over. Any forms that ask if you've known by other names, put your old one in.

You're allowed to call yourself whatever you like, as long as the intention is not to deceive or defraud.

Have a read of this:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/relationships/birth-certificates-and-changing-your-name/changing-your-name/

Raine_E_Day

dancingfairy wrote: »

There's 2 different types of changing your name. One is simply to say to people I want to be called x,y,z from now on. This *might* cause trouble if you wanted to use it officially, say on bank documents or passports (I'm not sure how they cope with this) but with your friends/acquaintences there would be no problem doing this.
The other is to officially/legally change you name. I believe this needs a deed poll to do? I imagine you'd just go to the registry office (might need to book an appointment?), fill in a form and possibly pay them some money? and voila.
df

The easiest way to officially change your name is by Statutory Declaration (which I have done). Charge should be minimal, if any. Mine was free - I just called in at random solicitor with completed form, template via link below.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/relationships/birth-certificates-and-changing-your-name/changing-your-name/Statutory-declaration-of-change-of-name-for-adults/

TonyMMM

dancingfairy wrote: »

I believe this needs a deed poll to do? I imagine you'd just go to the registry office (might need to book an appointment?), fill in a form and possibly pay them some money? and voila.
df

Registration offices have nothing to do with deed polls or adult name changes.

devils_vixen

Don't do deed poll if you were born in Scotland as it's not the official way to change you're name there. Loads of people seem to get caught out and then end up having to pay twice when they find out their name hasn't been changed officially.

Feral_Moon

devils_vixen wrote: »

Don't do deed poll if you were born in Scotland as it's not the official way to change you're name there. Loads of people seem to get caught out and then end up having to pay twice when they find out their name hasn't been changed officially.

You don't need to pay anything to anyone to change your name, although if you use a GP or solicitor to witness the Statutory Declaration they may impose a small fee to cover their time.

devils_vixen

Feral_Moon wrote: »

You don't need to pay anything to anyone to change your name, although if you use a GP or solicitor to witness the Statutory Declaration they may impose a small fee to cover their time.

There is no official record kept of Statutory Declaration name changes so if the paperwork was lost then you'd have to do it again to prove you are who you say you are where as changing the name on the birth certificate is recorded so you'll always have the new name on your certificate

Feral_Moon

devils_vixen wrote: »

There is no offical record kept of Statutory Declaration name changes so if the paperwork was lost then you'd have to do it again to prove you are who you say you are where as changing the name on the birth certificate is recorded so you'll always have the new name on your certificate

You cannot change your name on a birth certificate, ever! Unless done within the first 12 months of birth and agreed by both parents.

https://www.gov.uk/correct-birth-registration

devils_vixen

If you were born in Scotland you can

http://nationalrecordsofscotland.gov.uk/registration/recording-change-of-forename-and-surname-in-scotland