Changing my surname via deed poll... advice and suggestions?

[HeyDemonsItsYaGirl]

I've been thinking of changing my surname. I still have my ex-husband's and don't want to go back my maiden - both of them are hard to pronounce and spell - so I'd be choosing something totally new.

If anyone's done it, was it relatively easy to sort things out afterwards, or a pain in the butt? Will it be just like when I got married and sent my certificate off everywhere, or are there additional complications from a deed poll? I'm thinking stuff like credit checks, CRB checks (occasionally need these to access sensitive information for my job), etc?

Suggestions for my new surname also welcome.

How about Sealion?

Two thoughts- a surname from your ancestry (maternal grandmother's maiden name perhaps?) or could your middle name become your surname?

Snow is lovely.

How about Lake? Easy to spell and pronounce.

But I would be wary of going too aquatic: names like Plankton and Blobfish don't exactly roll off the tongue.

There are so many good suggestions here and I have no idea how to pick!

None of my ancestors' names appeal to me and my middle name isn't very nice. But I love Winters, Fox, Lake (although a relative's married name is Lake, so it might be weird for me to choose it), Page, Rowan, Snow...

Blueisacolour is also growing on me.

Brook?

When I had my CD as a solo parent, I didn't want to keep my dad's name (didn't like it, and had hardly anything to do with him for years) so reverted to my mum's maiden name. It feels right, and somewhat feminist too (yes, I know her name was her father's but still).

I heard of an American couple, who got married and didn't want to use either of their surnames so they chose a new joint surname of Marvellous.

Wilde.

A perfect surname

You could be Miss Catchlove. It’s like an affirmation or a wish every time you write it.

TakemedowntoPotatoCity You've actually got me thinking about using my nan's Christian name, which is Eve. She was a fantastic woman and I like the idea of using a matriarchal name.

Eve would make a really lovely surname. Sophisticated yet simple.

I did this - it was really easy! No faff involved at all. I changed my first name, I think changing your surname would be even easier.

Essentially I bought a deed poll online (you can print one at home and save your money as it’s nothing special!) then over the course of a week, changed my name everywhere.

Most organisations allow you to quickly change it online. Only my work, GP and banks wanted to see the deed poll in person. With COVID, they may not want to see you in person actually so you might be okay just posting them a photocopy.

So to breakdown the week - it took 2 days to show everyone in person, then I posted my deed polls to HMRC and DVLA. By day 7 my passport arrived back, and by day 10 my license arrived back! With that, my name was changed everywhere and hasn’t caused an issue since.

My credit files are all aligned, it even shows my electoral roll registration with my old name.

I only had 2 copies of my deed poll.

I’m not sure when exactly you had to send your marriage certificate off everywhere, but my experience above was recent. In 2021 and with the pandemic, you’ll definitely find the admin much more streamline than you did with your marriage certificate

Penhaligon
Trevalyan

I have a simple, nature surname and still have to spell it all the time. I like the idea of having your Grandma’s name, it’s lovely.

Winter (no s)
Frost
Storm

Everley
Evers
Everest

Eve is lovely!

Winterseve
Foxwinter
Everlove
Evensong

Eve sounds lovely, it's nice and short and easy to spell. Go for it!

Dead easy and no need to pay for it. I've changed my name four times by deed poll now.