Name change after divorce

chocdonuty

Well I did divorce 10 years ago but have finally got round to changing my name back, it's a big task!
I think I have the correct information, I have my decree absolute, although this only has my married name on it. And my marriage and birth certificate. I also have my passport but although this is in my maiden name it is 10 years out of date.
So the main thing is what order do I get things done? bank or company first?
I've got a huge list and non financial things aren't a problem, easily done online/popping in.
I'm just a bit wary of when to change names on direct debits/banks and whether this will cause them not to be paid if not done in time.
I have one main bank account but I either have to send my documents through the post or spend a few hours travelling to my nearest branch, bit tricky and time consuming.
My other options are to change the name on another local bank I use and then manually transfer direct debits when I call to inform them of my new name, will most companies be ok with this or will they not allow two changes at once?
Or do i switch banks (again) using the seven day switching service using my married name then change it after that point.
I will change my name it just seems a lot of effort!

Kynthia

I doubt changing your name will affect direct debits as I don't remember having this problem when I got married. Would getting your passport renewed make things easier as it's already in your maiden name and is good ID? I'd suggest driving license too if you have one. I found tge hardest place to change my name strangely was PayPal and had little trouble elsewhere. Some places would accept a scan of the documents via email so see how you go.

Marisco

chocdonuty wrote: »

Well I did divorce 10 years ago but have finally got round to changing my name back, it's a big task!
I think I have the correct information, I have my decree absolute, although this only has my married name on it. And my marriage and birth certificate. I also have my passport but although this is in my maiden name it is 10 years out of date.
So the main thing is what order do I get things done? bank or company first?
I've got a huge list and non financial things aren't a problem, easily done online/popping in.
I'm just a bit wary of when to change names on direct debits/banks and whether this will cause them not to be paid if not done in time.
I have one main bank account but I either have to send my documents through the post or spend a few hours travelling to my nearest branch, bit tricky and time consuming.
My other options are to change the name on another local bank I use and then manually transfer direct debits when I call to inform them of my new name, will most companies be ok with this or will they not allow two changes at once?
Or do i switch banks (again) using the seven day switching service using my married name then change it after that point.
I will change my name it just seems a lot of effort!

Which is why I never bothered And I've been divorced 22 years.

chocdonuty

Passport is good but I just don't have the £70 odd spare to renew it as I don't need it at the moment.
Good to hear direct debits aren't affected too much, I did think they may just go on numbers rather than names.
It's just deciding which thing to change first, especially if I have to send off my one and only document I need for everything!

tea_lover

15 years on and I still haven't got round to changing my name back... because (like you), I don't know where to start! Good luck

TBagpuss

direct debits should not be a problem.

Banks will have their own ules but most will want to see a change of name deed.

It can smetimes be easier to change / update your passport and then use that as ID -open a new bank account in your original name and then trasnfer the DDs across and close the old account.

Alternatively, take the change if name deed into the bank and update it - same with all of the other organisations. If you do a change of name via a solicitor they will typically give you 6certifed copies of the ded so you don't have to produce the original every time.

Some organistatins may accept bith cetificate + decree absolute but not all, it will depend on the individual rules for each organisation, and the fact that the Absolute is 10 years old may mean that they are less willing to do it this way than if it was 'fresh'.

Vampgirl

There should be no need for a deed poll when reverting back to you maiden name (same as there isn't any need for one when changing your name when you get married). Legally your maiden name is still your name, even if you've been using your married name for years...in fact you could even use both at the same time with different accounts/organisations.

Most banks seem to be happy with your decree absolute and maybe one other form of ID.
https://supportcentre.natwest.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4066/~/how-do-i-change-my-name-with-the-bank%3F
https://www.lloydsbank.com/help-guidance/customer-support/change-your-personal-details.asp
https://www.help.barclays.co.uk/faq/your-details/change-name.html

If you want to open a new account in your maiden name then you can do that without a driving licence or passport - you'll usually need your birth certificate plus proof of address in the same name (so change other things like utility bills and council tax first). Its a bit of a hassle opening them without photo ID and you might need to speak to someone more experienced if the first person you talk to doesn't know how to do it, but it is do-able because not everyone has photo ID.