Not changing name with bank after marriage

Jami74

My husband and I have a joint account which we've had for over 30 years. We never informed them when we got married. We both transfer money in each month for the household bills.

I have solo accounts in my married name with the same banking group and they are not linked in any way with the joint account (separate online log ins, do not all show up in the same app).

Have I done something really terrible? I feel like it might be a breach of T&Cs and if I tell them, could mean withdrawal of accounts. Both the joint account and solo accounts have been managed well (no debt). I wonder if it might be easier to open a new joint account together in my married name and close that one rather, than fess up and try to get all my accounts merged under one log in/name/app. Can anyone advise how serious this is please?

Brie

When I got married I told my OH that I wouldn't be changing my name and he was somewhat horrified.  "But our names will be different on our cheques and people in the bank will think we're just living together!!!"  My response was it was none of their business.  And it hasn't been for decades and it's only been a problem once.

That once was tricky - my mom sent us a cheque for a Christmas gift.  Made out to Brie and HisFirst HisSurname.  And the bank refused to take it as it didn't match the names on our account.  They suggested I send the cheque back to mom to get it reissued properly which would have been a pain as it was drawn on a foreign bank.  The bank manager's solution was that if I didn't want to get the cheque reissued was to bring in our marriage certificate and get the account changed to show me as Brie HisSurname.  And I objected to this as it would not be in my proper name so would be more likely to cause problems in the future.  So my solution was to try to deposit it at a different branch which worked without a hitch.  Just this one branch manager having a hissy.  

The point is that you might have a problem in the future if you need to do something with that account in your current name when the account shows your previous name.  The other point is that a bank doesn't give a hoot how long it's been since you got married.  My situation was a good 15 years after the wedding.  I think banks are used to lots of people not updating things until it's necessary. 

Just take in your ID, have a laugh with the person at the counter and say "silly me" and you should be fine.  

Jami74

Brie said:

That once was tricky - my mom sent us a cheque for a Christmas gift.  

Yeah, and that was the reason I initially opened an account as Mrs Husband rather, when my elderly grandmother sent me a cheque in that name.

It hasn't ever been a problem, but I now I want to apply for a mortgage and am wondering if it will be an issue.

boingy

Jami74 said:

Have I done something really terrible? 

No, you haven't done anything especially terrible but you might have problems down the line if you have to prove your ID. Having different names between the electoral register, your driving licence, passport or account name(s) is a sure fire way to confuse their system. I'd suggest asking the bank to change the name and supplying whatever ID they want but make sure you have a month's worth of joint money somewhere else to cover the bills if the bank decide to be awkward. I doubt they will but it's best to be prepared. Worst case you just open a new joint account, either there or elsewhere. Or you could just opt to open a new account anyway. You'd have to move the payments across manually but you could do it gradually.

There has been a fairly recent thread on these forums about someone who had some accounts in their married name and some in their birth name but I don't recall what the specific problem was.

Brie

If you look at your credit history there will already likely be all accounts noted on it despite the difference in the name.  Changing the old account to your current name will just tidy things up.  

maman

Like @Brie, I don't use my husband's name. I explained this to my bank when I, too, had a cheque from my mother in my 'married' name. They put a note on my file to say I was one and the same person.

In your case @Jami74, you just haven't changed the name on the account. Presumably as you do use your married name then I'd just ask the bank to change this account too. Take your marriage certificate into a branch (assuming you have one ☹️) and I'm sure it will be straightforward, especially as you have the other accounts. 

Jami74

boingy said:

you might have problems down the line if you have to prove your ID. Having different names between the electoral register, your driving licence, passport or account name(s) is a sure fire way to confuse their system. 

Over the years everything else has gradually changed to married name. This is the last thing.

Or you could just opt to open a new account anyway. You'd have to move the payments across manually but you could do it gradually.

I think I might actually just do this.

Jami74

Brie said:

If you look at your credit history there will already likely be all accounts noted on it despite the difference in the name.  Changing the old account to your current name will just tidy things up.  

Oddly, no. And I've always been honest declaring previous names etc.

Bigwheels1111

My friend has been divorced for 40 years, goes by married and maiden names.
If they were to change all into one name it would mess benefits up completely.
The switch over could leave them without money for months.

Jami74

Bigwheels1111 said:

My friend has been divorced for 40 years, goes by married and maiden names.
If they were to change all into one name it would mess benefits up completely.
The switch over could leave them without money for months.

Actually that reminded me, in the early days we were receiving benefits and I think that's why we didn't mess with changing names in case it somehow affected them.

General_Grant

I have a savings account in my maiden surname (married 49 years and 10 months ago) and opened that account about 20 years ago.  They became aware of the difference in surname and sometimes their telephone banking security procedure asks whether I use another name and when I confirm it they are perfectly happy.  They don't care - the same NINo is used for all accounts.