Adding married name to passport (when I didn't take DH's name on marriage)

[Freetodowhatiwant]

Hi,

I was wondering if you could help me. When we were married 8 years ago I decided to keep my maiden name and this is the name that is on my marriage certificate. However I need a new passport and having flown so many times on my own with the kids have felt it would be good to add my husband's (and our children's) surname on the passport although I don't want to use it on anything else.

Do I need to change my name officially somewhere first? I'm confused as to whether I need to change it by deed poll, whether I can just send my marriage certificate to the passport office (given that my maiden name is on there...) or what? Thanks in advance for any help.

this is why you should either give your kids your surname

No it isn’t. That just passes the problem onto the other parent.

Can I just second and third everyone else to say

A DEED POLL IS FREE

Thank you.

The UK government rules on requiring permission and evidence from both parents with responsibility for a child are clear.

They are applicable to everyone, not just those with different surnames from their child.

Likewise, the rules for evidence and permissions required for one parent + child to enter another country are set (and published) by that country's government and are also applicable to all parents irrespective of whether they share a surname with their child.

Unless you comply with the laws of each/both country you risk delays or detainment.

Whilst you may get asked on fewer occasions if you change your passport name, having the same surname as your child will - in no way - make you legally compliant....because the laws exist primarily to protect the child from abduction by one parent without the permission of the other parent! (as explained to me by uk border control).

I'm not suggesting a deed poll is or isn't the correct solution for you, but if you do go down that route then don't pay a penny.

OP: they might still ask you about parentage / permission to take them out of the country.

My kids have a hyphenated surname, half of which is my surname. They still get asked if I am Mum, I have been asked for a letter saying I can take them out, etc.

V v rarely, but it has happened.

OP: you are cooking at one of the Deed Poll copy cat sites that takes money and is a con.

You don’t need a deed poll.

Just send your marriage certificate in and double barrel you name - the office can see Both surnames belong to you! This is what I did when I changed my passport.

Also your passport does not need to match the rest of your docs, I called the office to check. I am keeping my passport in married (double barrelled) name until it needs to be renewed. Everything else I have changed back to my maiden name (I got divorced).

No deed polls needed at any point.

US rules de.usembassy.gov/visas/travel-tourism/travelers-faqs/children-traveling-with-one-parent-or-with-someone-who-is-not-a-parent-or-legal-guardian/

UK rules www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad

Link to all individual EU country rules www.google.co.uk/amp/s/europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/travel-documents-minors/indexamp_en.htm

In permissions - it does make it easier if you have a passport that matches in at least one name.

However many countries now ask for proof that the other parent is ok with you travelling on own with DC (regardless of whether the passport names match or not). This is to prevent child abduction. Different countries have different rules about what proof they want.

Probably because the second part of your sentence doesnt pass on the problem to the other parent (so no need to comment on that part) whereas the part prior to the 'or' does...

I have driving licence and daily life in my maiden name which is the name I was mostly known as during my marriage.

For ten married years, I had my passport in my maiden name also, the month we split up, I had changed it to my married name. So now my passport is in married name but matches my children.

All other things are in maiden name and in day to day life I have changed kids names to match me. Changing their passports was harder than changing mine. I prefer the security of less questions asked when travelling abroad.

If not for Brexit, I would change all passports eventually but can't as have booked travel on these passports and so will then run out of time to change them. Would prefer a red passport, even if in the wrong name.

Ignore anything said on a "WE DO CHEAP DEED POLLS"

They are making money out of ignorance, just send your passport off to renew with your and the name you want on it.

OK perhaps I wasn’t clear.. in most circumstances when getting the passport in a new name, the passport office want to see that you are using it in other areas of life too before they will issue the passport.

Rubbish, loads of show biz people have a stage name, Michael Caine only changed his a few years ago, I doubt Adam Ant has that name in his passport.

I use married (husbands name) for NHS, last time I renewed passport I changed from maiden to married name just with marriage certificate. I use maiden name for professional purposes, bank, tax and have driving licence in that too. This way I have photo ID in both names.

Is there a reason you deliberately cut out the last half of my sentence where I said or double barrel them ?

Yes, as a PP says, there’s nothing wrong with that part. Due to the use of the word “or” you imply that both are sensible options and the first one isn’t.

I did this. I did my own deed poll document and just sent it off to passport office (and DVLA for drivers)

I think it's probably a bit pot luck how much supporting documentation you need. The Post Office assistant told me she'd had several applications returned because the Passport Office 'required more proof of ID', yet someone I know just sent a marriage licence and filled in their maiden name as a middle name, and it was fine. The Passport Office advisor seemed really confused by what I was asking, but I can't imagine it's an unusual query, wanting to add a maiden name without double barrelling your surname.

if you're not in a rush and don't mind risking your application being sent back, you could try sending your marriage certificate and seeing what happens, but if there's any urgency I'd jump through the deed poll hoop and send that too.

Deed Polls

The only place to get advice is at GOV.uk - this is the official Government advicde, and it's FREE.

All the other sites, including that 'lovely' Deed Poll website, are just out to get you to pay for something that is otherwise FREE! And I wouldn't trust their advice either.