Marriage. How do I change my name?

[Mammy55]

Hi! This might sound so silly but I got married a few months ago and have just received our certificate. (Took ages to come) it says my full name and my husbands name. I want to take his last name, how do I do this? Is there somewhere I need to update originally or do I just have the option now I can produce the certificate? Like for the doctors and bank etc? I’m just confused because they made me sign it in my maiden name instead of mrs new name? Thank you, sorry if I sound stupid I have no idea 😂

You have to manually contact all the places - bank, Dr, HMRC, driving license etc and get it changed. It's a pain!

Ps yes your marriage cert is the evidence that proves you can use his surname

Thank you! When they told me to sign my original name I thought have I just got married or is this a different type of ceremony 😂 thanks

Of course you sign it with your usual name. you have to actively change it if you want a different surname. The marriage certificate acts as your proof of name change

Don't. Not helpful I know, but it's a silly outdated custom.

I thought that the whole point of equality is that women now have the right to choose to call themselves whatever they like.

So it is a bit galling to have other women telling them what they should and should not do.

Op is at liberty to do whatever she wants, as am i to point out that it's a silly, outdated custom.

Yes you just need to make some copies of the marriage certificate (they don't need to be certified as far as I know, but things may have changed since I got married) and send them to the relevant people. As a pp said, it's a pain. I wouldn't have done it if DH had a nicer surname than I had!

I meant the other way round - DH does have a nicer surname that I had. I was typing too quickly

I fled from a abusive traveller family when I was young, I managed to flee the day of an arranged marriage. Before it ever went ahead luckily, so loosing my family name is a relief for me. I’m really looking forward to it. Thanks for all the advice!

I was wondering the same but in reverse. I've finally got my decree absolute and am now thinking what to do about my name. Seems such a faff to change it back, and the children want me to have the same as them- hmm decisions decisions...