How to change name after marriage?

rainbow_fountains

Can someone help me? I’m trying to change my name after recently getting married, I want to change my last name (Miss Sarah Smith) to my husband’s last name (Mrs Sarah Jones) starting with HM land registry via the generic AP1 form. This is the first step I’ve taken in changing my name, I haven’t done anything else yet (passport, driving license, HMRC, bank etc)

I’ve got my marriage certificate, I’m trying to follow gov.uk’s instructions on filling out the AP1: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/change-the-register-ap1/guidance-change-your-name-after-marriage-or-civil-partnership

There’s one glaring omission in their instructions though, and the form itself, nowhere does it indicate where I should write my current/maiden name (Sarah Smith) or my new name (Sarah Jones). It just asks for ‘name of applicant’ - is that Smith or Jones?

Please can anyone who has done this recently help me? I’m at a loss!

Stateofart

New name.  Save the confusion. 

DullGreyGuy

Given there is no other place to put the second name and the marriage certificate doesn't state what your post marriage name is then it has to be your new name that you enter. 

rainbow_fountains

Thanks for this!

Exodi

My wife did exactly this about 7 months ago (to be honest, we only got confirmation back quite recently, took about 6 months to process).

As others say, section 6 and 7 she used her new name - she didn't state her maiden name anywhere on the AP1.

She certified it at the bottom (e.g. "I certify this to be a true copy of the original dated……… signed……………..Name printed…………….date…………." with her new name also).

If I had any advice to give, it would be if you intend to change your ID documents (e.g. passport/driving license) to do it as soon as possible, (annoyingly you have to post your original marriage certificate for some things so there can be a bit of a delay). Obviously don't change your passport if you have anything booked as your booking details must match your passport.

Stateofart

Exodi said:

My wife did exactly this about 7 months ago (to be honest, we only got confirmation back quite recently, took about 6 months to process).

As others say, section 6 and 7 she used her new name - she didn't state her maiden name anywhere on the AP1.

She certified it at the bottom (e.g. "I certify this to be a true copy of the original dated……… signed……………..Name printed…………….date…………." with her new name also).

If I had any advice to give, it would be if you intend to change your ID documents (e.g. passport/driving license) to do it as soon as possible, (annoyingly you have to post your original marriage certificate for some things so there can be a bit of a delay). Obviously don't change your passport if you have anything booked as your booking details must match your passport.

I second this - do it NOW!  I got a speeding fine and then notice to prosecute me for having a drivers licence with the incorrect name.  I then had two weeks to sort it all out otherwise I was going to court for it.