Changing Your Name

The majority of married women change their last name to that of their husband on marriage without realising that, although this is the custom and practice, it is not obligatory in the United Kingdom. As a married woman, you are entitled to use either your own name, or that of your husband's, as you wish.

If you decide to take your husband's name, then your marriage certificate automatically provides the necessary documentary evidence of your change of name, and you can send it to all relevant parties, such as the Passport Office, DVLA and banks, to update their records.

However, you may decide to take your husband's surname, and use your maiden name as a middle name, or use a combined double-barrelled surname. Both these options would require either you (or you and your husband if you are opting for a double-barrelled name) to complete a deed poll. This is a legal document that states that you will abandon the use of your former name, use your new name only at all times and will require everyone to address you by your new name. Thus, a Deed Poll provides documentary evidence that you have changed your name and that you are legally binding yourself to using your new name.

If you do change your name, you will need to consider informing the following people:

• Passport office
• Bank or building society
• Credit card companies
• Human resources and finance department at work
• Pension plans
• Doctor and dentist
• Inland Revenue
• DSS for National Insurance
• DVLA for driving license and car registration
• Insurance companies

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