To change or not to change? It is your
own choice if you want to change your name - you don't have
to change it legally. If you do decide to change it, then
your marriage certificate will be the evidence you need to
inform all the important people of the change (see a reminder
list below).
There are good and bad points for changing your name.
It makes it easier if you and your husband have the same surname
when you come to making joint financial or legal decisions.
You also need to consider what your children's surname will
be if you don't take your husband's name. Taking your husbands
name is also less confusing for others - most people will assume
that you have changed your name.
However, a lot of brides feel that by giving up their maiden
names they are changing their identities - or that they no longer
"belong" to their own families, but their husband.
Many professional or business women prefer to keep their maiden
names as they are known by that name by their colleagues and
clients. However, you can of course keep your maiden name just
for business purposes. There is no reason why your husband cannot
change his name to your maiden name - he would have to do this
by deed poll. For more information see: http://www.ukdp.co.uk
Double barreled names
If you are both having a double barreled name then the cheapest
option is to get your husband2be to change his name by deed
poll a few months before the wedding - and then you will take
his name when you marry him. This means you don't have to each
pay for the deed poll.
Many brides change their middle name to their maiden name,
again you can do this by deed poll.
If you have decided to take your husbands name, you need to
write to all of the below enclosing a photocopy of your marriage
certificate. Remember when you write to include reference numbers
as this will speed up your response - especially if you need
a new card or a new driving license. For more information see:
http://www.ukdp.co.uk
- DVLA - for you driving license
- Passport (see information below) *
- Bank
- Credit Card Company
- Building Society
- Any organisations you have loans with
- Inland Revenue
- Store credit cards
- Bills - · Phone Line, Mobile Phone, Gas, Electricity,
Council Tax, Water, Rent / Mortgage payments
- Any mailing lists you belong to
- Your ISP - esp. if you want to change your Email address
- Magazine or Newspaper subscriptions
- Any clubs you belong to
- AA/RAC/Greenflag or other Motoring organisation
- Insurance - home, car etc.
- GP
- Dentist
- Optician
- Employer
- Any companies you have shares in.
Changing the name on your passport - There is so much
to think about when you get married that amending your passport
can easily get forgotten. Some countries may refuse you entry
with an unamended passport, even if you carry your marriage
certificate. You can check this with your travel agent or at
the country's consulate, but it is usually best to change your
passport in advance (This is so that you can travel on your
honeymoon in your new name).
The Passport Office can arrange this for you any time up to
three months before the ceremony, although you'll be unable
to use your passport until the actual day of your marriage.
Your current passport will be cancelled and a new standard 10-year
passport issued. They will credit your new passport with extra
time (up to nine months) towards the unexpired time left on
your old passport.
If you apply to amend your passport before you get married
you will need leaflet PD1, which explains what you need to do,
and form PD2. You can get both of these in any of the following
ways:
You will need to ask the person who is to conduct the marriage
ceremony to sign form PD2 for you.
If you wait and have the name on your passport changed after
the wedding, then you will not need the minister or registrar
to sign anything - you can show your marriage certificate.
The fees for amending your passport are shown below (last updated
on 24/01/2008)
By post - standard three week service: £72
At certain Post Office® branches using the two week Check
& Send service: £72
By appointment at passport office counters one week service:
£97
By appointment at passport office counters - same day service:
£114
You should note that if you have a child that is included on
your current passport he or she cannot be included on your new
passport because the rules have changed. You will now need to
apply for a new separate passport for each child.
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UK Deed Poll's
website
gives complete help and information throughout the process
of changing your name. UK Deed Poll also provides a
name change service giving people the chance to apply
to change their name online without having to visit
a solicitor. This service is particularly helpful for
couples who wish to double barrel their surnames.
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