Changing name after marriage

hansluck

Hi all - this is a bit of a random one but hoping that people might have some advice for me!

I got married in September 2015, I changed my name via Deed Poll in October 2015 to make my maiden name my middle name and surname my new married name. Only thing is life got a little bit busy and I have done nothing with it until now, mainly because I was going through some visa applications that I wanted to get through first.

So now I am going through the process of changing it with everyone that I need to. However there are two places that I am considering not changing it, I am actually an Australian citizen so was going to wait until my passport expired to do that. I am also on an indefinite leave visa which I was also going to leave because it will match my passport but also the Home Office want to charge £300 just to change it!!

So my question is, are there any issues with having all my records in the UK changed to my new name but not my UK visa or Australian passport? I am trying to think of what scenario might cause me issues with doing this! My thoughts are that so long as I travel on my maiden name and my visa and passport match then it should be no issue?

It may equally just be easier to bite the bullet and change everything ASAP regardless!

Also are there any rules around how quickly you need to inform people of your name change after you have done it via Deed Poll? I know I have waited 18 months to do it so I am concerned that if I do change my visa there will be issues that I have waited this long.

Thanks for your help!

itchyfeet123

The only issue I can see is if your passport is your only form of ID. If you haven't already, get a UK drivers licence in your new name. I'm in a similar situation and have been told I can do this with old name foreign licence + new name passport + proof of name change, and I can't see why that wouldn't work for you with old name passport.

FBaby

My passport and Driving license had been renewed just before getting married so kept it under my maiden name. It has caused me some problems at times, for instance, booked a hotel in the USA online, paid with my card under my married name. When I got there, even though I had already paid, they wanted to see my passport. When it came up with a different name, they started to say that it was a problem. I had anticipated it so brought my marriage certificate but at first they started to say it wasn't good enough. It was 11pm, had travelled overnight so wasn't in the mood to start arguing, so instead took the 'please feel sorry for me' approach. Thankfully it worked after manager was called in!

It happened at another time, but cant' remember the circumstances.

gettingtheresometime

Personally I think having so many combinations of middle/maiden/married name would fry my poor brain so I'd have to choose one combination and stick to it!