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Original poster

Changing my name questions

12 replies

ByebyeKaren · 26/11/2022 06:16

Hi everyone, following on from my recent thread, I'm about to change my first name but would appreciate any advice on the logistics of this, if anyone can help please.

I think I'm happy to keep my original name on official documents for the time being. I think I'll change it eventually but want to see how it pans out first and also I'm not really in a position at the moment to deal with the added work (and stress) that changing everything takes.

Anyway......can anyone see potential problems with this approach? I'm thinking along the lines of needing ID to collect a parcel and my ID doesn't match the delivery name. I'm worried there's lots I haven't considered.

Also, how to solve and avoid any issues would be great too.

Thanks everyone. I'm really happy to be doing this after so long.

OP posts:
Original poster
ByebyeKaren · 26/11/2022 15:56

Just bumping. Thanks

OP posts:
piratehooker · 26/11/2022 16:10

Sorry I don't have exactly the same experience, but may be one or two things that could help! I recently changed my surname after marriage, and at the same time decided to add a second middle name, so I kept my Mum's maiden name in there somewhere. I did it via deed poll, and used a company online to help out. They put together the paperwork, sent letters out that I could fill in with my signature and and reference numbers, etc. They also gave info on what companies needed to have specific documents for evidence.

Perhaps having a couple of copies of your deed poll when it's done, so you have some proof if needing to evidence that you are both 'Sue' and 'Mel'. As I say, so so much of the faff was taken away from me by using the online company, but of course it does come with a fee, so understand that might not be a good route for you at the moment.

I have found I needed evidence of my new surname on a few occasions, so had photographed the original documents, and also carried an original copy if going somewhere they might need to see something more tangible. Now everything is mostly switched over, it's becoming less and less of a faff. Changing my work stuff has been the worst! But that's down to my Trust's procedures mainly.

Would advise that your first priority for changing your name is something like your driver's licence (if you have one), so then you should be able to produce that as ID ongoing. But I do understand you're looking at not changing things officially as yet. As I say, I know it's not exactly like your situation, but hopefully may be one or two useful bits in this melee of text!

WeAreTheHeroes · 26/11/2022 16:12

If you sign a deed poll to change your name, you renounce all other names. You can't use two different names. Change your name on your ID documents then work your way through everything else.

Mabelface · 26/11/2022 16:15

Do a non enrolled deed poll for now. It explains how on the gov.uk website.

Original poster
ByebyeKaren · 26/11/2022 19:02

Thanks everyone. I'm not sure I'll change it by deed poll yet but am worried about implications.

OP posts:
Original poster
ByebyeKaren · 26/11/2022 19:06

Mabelface · 26/11/2022 16:15

Do a non enrolled deed poll for now. It explains how on the gov.uk website.

Thank you for this. Have to admit I'm finding it a bit confusing though. Will persevere!

OP posts:
tickticksnooze · 26/11/2022 19:11

WeAreTheHeroes · 26/11/2022 16:12

If you sign a deed poll to change your name, you renounce all other names. You can't use two different names. Change your name on your ID documents then work your way through everything else.

You can use any names you like as long as not for a fraudulent reason, you don't have to do a deed poll to use a different name so the wording on a deed poll is irrelevant. We don't have "legal names" in the UK.

Honestly though op, in the long term using a different name without just changing everything over "officially" will probably be more aggro than the admin of a deed poll and updating your documents.

If it's only for a short period it should be ok and is a good idea to get comfortable, but you'll have to make sure you use the name on your documents for anything where ID will be required (eg flight tickets).

tickticksnooze · 26/11/2022 19:13

If you decide to make it permanent / for everything, don't bother with enrolled deed polls or paying a fee for a deed poll. You can just print it yourself and make sure it is properly witnessed and signed.

If you pay a company for a deed poll, you're just paying for fancier paper and a hefty profit margin for them. It's not legally necessary to do anything except get the wording, witnesses and signatures correct.

tickticksnooze · 26/11/2022 19:15

And just make a list of all the organisations that need updating then notify them all at once. It's not that bad.

WeAreTheHeroes · 26/11/2022 20:04

@tickticksnooze I know all that. That's why I specifically said if the OP changes her name by deed poll...

She hasn't said how she intends to change her name, but if it's by deed poll, my post stands.

ChicCroissant · 26/11/2022 20:14

I'm going on the experience of a friend changing their name here - if you're not feeling that you should change it on everything then it might not be the right time for you. She had friends using her new name, but couldn't face telling her family and backed out of the whole thing.

Change a bill (eg water, electricity) so you have something with your new name and your address on to use as proof of ID if you need it.

tickticksnooze · 26/11/2022 20:14

The op asked about informally changing her name, but whatever.

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