Has anyone changed their surname?

skintnutta

Hi,
I've been seperated for 2.5 years. I can't afford to get divorced right now but I want to change my name back to my maiden name.

Does anyone have any experience with this and could offer any advice?
Thanks
Fiona

mgdavid

JFDI
seriously, just start using your (presumably previous) surname.
Do a forum search for several lengthy threads on the same subject, all containing specifics on who you need to tell and how to do it.
Hint: you do not need a deed poll.

jackieblack

I decided to revert to my maiden name after getting divorced.
Telling friends/family etc is simple and you can use the name straight away.

Changing bank accounts and other 'officialdom' is more complicated (assuming these are currently in your married name). I started this process last July and am still not yet finished!
Most will require evidence of your change of name, eg sight of a Decree Absolute and evidence of your surname when you married (which is shown on your marriage certificate, which you have to send off with the divorce petition, so you may need to get another copy from the GRO)
If you aren't yet divorced I'm not sure how you would provide the evidence they will want.

If you use your maiden name on the paperwork when you get divorced it will simplify the process.
Getting divorced doesn't have to be massively expensive. You can do all the paperwork yourself and just pay the court fee.

TonyMMM

Your maiden name is still your name (whether you chose to use a married name or not) you can just start using it again. No need for a deed poll.

As noted above, some organisations may ask for paperwork if you want to change the name on existing records that are only in your married name.

Kynthia

You never lost the right to use your maiden name when you married so you can still use it now. Some organisations may try to insist you need divorce paperwork and that your birth certificate isn't enough. You could either leave them for now, change organisation, or escalate a complaint asking what right they have to dent you use of your birth name just because you are a woman who got married and on what legal basis are they doing so.

Getting your driving license and passport changed makes it easier to move to new companies with your maiden name. However I don't kniw how easy that is. A declaration made at a solicitors office that you intend to be known as Ms Maidenname might help if you have trouble.

cheeky-peach

When I went back to my maiden name, I got a 'change of name deed' (free of charge) and gave that out to banks, DVLA etc and there was only one bank who didn't accept it; but they were happy to change it once I'd shown them that nothing was left in my married name. My company's HR were a bit funny about changing my name with a decree absolute but once I explained that I was entitled to change my name via change of name deed they were fine with it.

With my passport, I sent my change of name deed, birth certificate and they wanted a utility bill in your maiden name so you can 'prove' that it's the name you're going by. I sent my council tax bill and had my passport returned correct, no issues.

The most difficult one, believe it or not, was PayPal! They were a nightmare! Took around 4 months to get them to action anything i sent them!

Starrystarrynight1

Here's some advice on changing your name by deed poll from the .gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll

Tabbytabitha

Starrystarrynight1 wrote: »

Here's some advice on changing your name by deed poll from the .gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll

You do not need a deed poll in order to use your own name!

mgdavid

Tabbytabitha wrote: »

You do not need a deed poll in order to use your own name!

:-)
as I said in post 2, but worth saying again as others have suggested doing one, unnecessarily.

isitenough

I just went through all this. Changed my name with a deed poll. Yes you don't need one but it was the easiest & quickest option for me as I didn't want any hassle - or to wait for my Absolute to come through. I ordered a few extra copies so I could notify more than one place at a time.
First thing I did was sort out my driving licence and last thing has been my passport (after my licence came back so I had photo ID should I need it and I had a council tax bill in my new name as well so I could send that).

Everything has been hassle free and some places didn't even need the deed poll (but the banks, DVLA, my credit card and the passport office, for examples, DID - or the equivalent of a deed poll to show a change of name). Entirely a personal choice whether to get one or not.

I made a list of everyone I needed to notify and then just went through it in order of importance and also to make notes on so I didn't get confused! Most of the companies websites these days have information for what to do when changing your name. Banks were easy, just went in and changed it over the counter.
I spent £14 on the deed poll (plus a few quid extra for copies). Best money I've spent (and no I don't work for them! I just wanted to change my name as easily as possible while going through a divorce). I used Deed Poll Office as they had good reviews and I have no complaints. ** you don't need to pay, see links other have posted - but I chose to **

All in all it's taken about 3 weeks, possibly less, as I informed everyone over the space of a week and it just took time for updating and replies to filter through. I'm now a Miss again and it feels like a relief to be rid of that name.

Good luck with whatever you decide to 'use' to change your name, with or without a deed poll, it will be worth it.

Tigsteroonie

cheeky-peach wrote: »

The most difficult one, believe it or not, was PayPal! They were a nightmare! Took around 4 months to get them to action anything i sent them!

My Paypal is still in my former name, six years on ...