Going Back To Maiden Name....Easy Enough???

clare1angel

Hi,

So my Mum has been divorced for well over 5 years now and for a long time has wanted to go back to her maiden name.  I have looked on the GOV site and there is a template for changing it yourself - has anyone done it this way and successfully changed it at banks, with utilities and even changed their name on a passport?

Obviously if this can all be done without paying out that would be great but if it's better to pay and go through the www.ukdp.co.uk then I'll help her with that.

Any advice is gratefully appreciated

Torry_Quine

She's been legally entitled to use her maiden name all the time. 

Mojisola

clare1angel said:

So my Mum has been divorced for well over 5 years now and for a long time has wanted to go back to her maiden name.  I have looked on the GOV site and there is a template for changing it yourself - has anyone done it this way and successfully changed it at banks, with utilities and even changed their name on a passport?

A relative changed their name using this template - now has everything in the new name - driving licence, passport, all utilities, etc.

They printed off two copies and had both witnessed by the same people - one copy to keep safely at home and the other to send out to organisations.

74jax

I just started using my maiden name. Everything changed back. It was always her name, she doesn't need any forms. 

clare1angel

Torry_Quine said:

She's been legally entitled to use her maiden name all the time. 

She did go into her bank to try and change it but they said she'd need proof - she has her birth certificate and her divorce papers but they wanted something with a photo?  She has a passport but that's in her married name at the moment.

clare1angel

Mojisola said:

clare1angel said:

So my Mum has been divorced for well over 5 years now and for a long time has wanted to go back to her maiden name.  I have looked on the GOV site and there is a template for changing it yourself - has anyone done it this way and successfully changed it at banks, with utilities and even changed their name on a passport?

A relative changed their name using this template - now has everything in the new name - driving licence, passport, all utilities, etc.

They printed off two copies and had both witnessed by the same people - one copy to keep safely at home and the other to send out to organisations.

Good to know that it is that simple as she was thinking she would have to pay and change it.  I'll get the template sorted and print a few copies for her.

clare1angel

74jax said:

I just started using my maiden name. Everything changed back. It was always her name, she doesn't need any forms. 

She tried firstly at her bank and they said they needed photo I.D and she tried with her utility provider and they wanted a bill that showed her new name.....seemed be going around in circles really lol
I'm going to use the template I found and hopefully we'll get it sorted.

bouicca21

You need to crack the passport office first - everything is easy once the passport is sorted as you use it as your evidence.

clare1angel

bouicca21 said:

You need to crack the passport office first - everything is easy once the passport is sorted as you use it as your evidence.

I have been looking into that but one of the requirements is a document showing use of the new name....she does have her virgin bill in her maiden name as when she moved she signed up as a new customer but I'm not sure that will be accepted as it says a wage slip or council bill.

74jax

clare1angel said:

74jax said:

I just started using my maiden name. Everything changed back. It was always her name, she doesn't need any forms. 

She tried firstly at her bank and they said they needed photo I.D and she tried with her utility provider and they wanted a bill that showed her new name.....seemed be going around in circles really lol
I'm going to use the template I found and hopefully we'll get it sorted.

Mine was really easy, photo ID in married name, birth cert and marriage cert showing maiden name and that I'd got married.  I just switched back to maiden name in the banks in about 3 minutes. 

I never had any issue. I'm still married but switched back to maiden name for some things. I now have half and half 😂

MalMonroe

clare1angel said:

Hi,

So my Mum has been divorced for well over 5 years now and for a long time has wanted to go back to her maiden name.  I have looked on the GOV site and there is a template for changing it yourself - has anyone done it this way and successfully changed it at banks, with utilities and even changed their name on a passport?

Obviously if this can all be done without paying out that would be great but if it's better to pay and go through the www.ukdp.co.uk then I'll help her with that.

Any advice is gratefully appreciated

Hi, first of all look at the info in these links - 

https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information

https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/divorce-or-returning-to-a-previous-surname

You are being misinformed because if your Mum wants to change her name on her passport, she'll have to get a brand new one.

It might help your Mum to have her name accepted if she changes it by deed poll, another government link coming up 

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

Once everything is all official she shouldn't have half as much trouble trying to get herself recognised under her old name. 

Another link, here for driving licence changes - https://www.gov.uk/change-name-driving-licence

Good news is that driving licence doesn't cost!  woo hoo.

I was going to change back to my maiden name when I divorced but didn't want to have a different last name to my children while they were at school and then of course the faff and expense with the passport and everything else just put me right off!

P.S. BTW, the link you gave 'www.ukdp.co.uk' is NOT a government department, as stated on their website "Please Note: We are an independent company and this website is not affiliated with H.M. Government. Customers wishing to make their own Deedpoll could check out the resources on www.gov.uk"

You'd be better off going through the government website link I have given you. It could also end up being cheaper. But even if not, it's a better bet.