Will you change your name when you marry?
The question about whether or not to change name after marriage is one that many brides-to-be wrestle with for months before the 'Big Day'. Wedding forums have regular postings puzzling about what’s involved, who should be notified and what the options are, so together with UK name change experts The Name Change Company, Wedding Ideas Magazine has put together a brief guide to explain what’s what, and help take the strain out of changing your name.
Will I have to change my name when I marry?
First things first - this is a frequently asked question and the answer is no, there is no legal requirement for you or your partner to change your name when you marry. It is purely a matter of personal choice. However, it is traditional for the bride to take her husband’s surname in place of her own after marriage and in the UK around 85% of women still choose to take this option.
What are my other name change options?
If you don't want to go down the traditional route and take your husband's surname in place of your own, there are several popular alternatives.
You can continue to use your maiden name if you wish, but if you want an option that allows you to keep your family identity whilst demonstrating a clear link to your husband, there are ways of having the best of both worlds.
Each of the following options will require a change of name by Deed Poll but this is a very quick and straightforward process. See link at the end of this section.
- First, you could consider using your maiden name as a middle name. For example if your name is Jane Smith and you married Brad Pitt (!), you could change your name to Mrs. Jane Smith Pitt. You would be known in every day life as Mrs. Jane Pitt but your family name of Smith would still be there on all your personal documents, passport etc.
- Another option is to hyphenate (double-barrel) your surname with your husband's surname. This is becoming increasingly popular, and the groom often hyphenates his name too so that both partners share the same double barrelled name. The husband's surname is traditionally shown last, so sticking with the Brad Pitt example your name would be Smith-Pitt. The decision on which name to use first or second is often down to which way around the new surname sounds the best.
- Your husband could take your surname in place of his own. It does happen, more often than you might think!
- You could create a brand new surname made up of your maiden name and your husband's surname, for example Mr. and Mrs. Smitt (Smith and Pitt). This is an increasingly popular trend in the US and shows every sign of taking off over here.
Will I need to change my name by Deed Poll?
Whichever option you choose, if you do anything other than keep your maiden name or take your husband's surname in place of your own, you will need an official change of name by Deed Poll. If your husband is changing his name in any way at all he will need a Deed Poll, and he should consider doing this before giving notice to marry so that his new name is shown on the marriage certificate.
Wedding Ideas Magazine is pleased to offer a change of name by Deed Poll service via The Name Change Company. For more information and to apply online quickly and easily for just £33, see the link at the bottom of this section.
Find out more about in the article Do you need to change your name by deed poll?
Telling the world you’ve changed your name
So you've decided on the name you are going to use after you marry, and you've practised the signature - now you need to know who to notify about your change of name and how to go about it.
On average a newly-wed will have 35 to 40 organisations to notify about their change of name, ranging from passport and DVLA to savings, bank, multiple credit and store cards, insurance, utilities - the list goes on, and it takes most people up to a year to complete. (Don't panic! There is a way of speeding this up using the New Name Kit™, so read on…)
Who should I tell?
When you change your name and marital status you should tell all of the organisations and government departments who hold personal records about you. For example the Identity and Passport Service, DVLA, credit cards, bank, insurance companies, utility companies, HM Revenue and Customs. In some cases there may be a fine for failure to notify a change of personal details.
Here is a quick checklist of who to tell when you change your name:
- Identity and Passport Service
- DVLA - driving licence and vehicle registration
- Bank
- Building society / other savings accounts
- Mortgage provider
- Credit cards & store cards
- Loans, student loans
- Insurance - car, buildings, contents, travel, medical, pet
- HM Revenue and Customs
- National Insurance
- Land Registry
- Utility companies - gas, water, electricity
- Telephone - land line and mobileMail order companies
- TV Licence
- Pension provider
- Investments and share holdings
- Any charity you support
- Professional institutes
- Local authorities
- Motoring organisations
- Internet service provider
- Doctor / dentist
How do I notify these organisations?
Many of them will need a letter from you because they will want to have examples of your old and new signature before they will amend their records.
Many will also need to see your marriage certificate (or Deed Poll name change document) - either the original or a certified copy.
You are advised to order a good supply of copies of your marriage certificate and these can be obtained from your Register Office or church official. If you change your name by Deed Poll you can order certified copies at the same time as applying for your name change.
Is there a quick way of getting through the notification process?
If dealing with all this sounds like a paperwork-monster waiting to pounce the minute you return from your honeymoon, you’ll be pleased to know that yes, there is an easier way.
To make the process as quick and easy as possible, Wedding Ideas Magazine is pleased to introduce the New Name Kit™, an online system from The Name Change Company that enables you to quickly and easily notify UK organisations about your change of name. The New Name Kit includes an on-line database of thousands of UK organisations for you to choose from, detailed advice, downloadable forms and if a letter is needed it is automatically generated and personalised with your change of personal details, ready for you to just print, sign and send. The New Name Kit™ even tells you whether to send an original copy of your marriage certificate or if a certified copy or photocopy will do.
For full details and to purchase the New Name Kit visit the Name Change Company website