Changing name and complications

[Enirroc]

I got divorced a little while ago and at the time decided not to change my name for the simplicity of staying the same as the kids. Recently I've been reconsidering it, for a number of reasons, but I'm worried about a couple of things. I'm planning to go back to Miss, add a middle name and go back to my maiden name.

I know I'll need to do it by deed poll, but can anyone think of any complications I might not have thought of?

My main concern (and reason for AIBU) is that if I change my passport, it will make things difficult if I travel abroad with the kids- so AIBU to change everything BUT that and travel under my married name if the need ever arises?

I'd really appreciate your advice!

I have changed everything to my married name before I got divorced and travelled under my passport which is my maiden name.

You shouldn't need to do it by deed poll. Generally you just need to show marriage certificate (to show maiden name) and divorce certificate obviously.

Sorry just seen you want to add a middle name. In which case, yes. Deed poll!

Could you keep your married name as a second middle name? That way you could maintain your passport and have a name link to the kids if ever questioned?

I understand that I can keep my passport in my married name anyway...

When I got married I changed my name and all ID except for my passport (only because I couldn't be arsed and didn't feel like paying for a new passport) and so my passport bears a different name than all my other ID and this hasn't caused me any problems at all. As a pp said just be sure you keep handy copies of your marriage & divorce certificates. And make sure you remember to book flights under the name that appears on your passport- which is obvious but you might forget once you get used to using your maiden name for everything else!

Thank you!

I'm also considering using a completely different surname... Am I nuts?

I'm considering the same so no!

Go for it! But remember a deed poll is free despite what others may say.

It would be simple to change back to your 'maiden' name - just change - it's on your birth certificate, and changing name in marriage is just a choice, it isn't a legal necessity.

To change to a totally new surname and add a middle name you can do it by Deed.

Could you change the kids' names too, to add the new name? You would need their father's permission.

After I got divorced I changed my surname to a completely new name. I’m not that close to my dad and didn’t identify strongly with my maiden name. Going back to it would have felt like a backwards step instead of moving forwards to a new stage of my life. So I picked a name from my mum's side of the family and changed it by deed poll. I love it, and it feels more like ‘me’ than ever.

So I now have a different surname to my son, and it has not caused us any problems. I’ve taken a letter from his dad when we’ve travelled abroad, but I’ve never been asked for it.

I kept my name, and I have never encountered any problems travelling with my children and without their father.

Thank you all!!!

Once you legally change your name, you must stop using your old name completely. It would be illegal to travel with a passport in your old name if everything else is in your new name.

I changed my surname and DDs when I got divorced. Then I decided to have a completely new surname so changed it again. We just got new passports.

I changed back to my maiden name and Miss. didn't need a deed poll. Was really easy but took me a while to inform everyone....I hadn't realised quite how many people/agencies etc this involved 😳

"Cut your costs
To change the name on your passport, you have to renew it, which costs £72.50. However, it is legal for you to use a passport in your previous name until it expires. Just remember the name on any airline tickets must match the name on your passport or you may not be allowed to travel." www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/money/2013/feb/06/changing-your-name-dos-and-donts

You don't have to change your passport

Valerrie: lots of people use 2 names, and even have bank accounts in different names. Very common where someone uses a family name and a professional name.

You can’t have 2 UK passports in different names, though.

That's right @DivisionBelle , but I only got my passport in 2017 so it won't expire until 2027 and my youngest will be 15, so if the only issue I have is having a different passport for the few months until he's 16 that seems to make sense.

You can use whatever names you like. It's not illegal to use different names at all. Please don't propagate myths!

Sorry, I was slow typing. Response to Valerrie

How is it a myth? The name on your passport has to match your legal name.

The name on your passport and the name on your aeroplane tickets has to match. My passport is still in a surname I had previously. This name is not my current surname, nor is it the name I was registered with at birth. This is not a problem, nor is it illegal.

Valerie, you absolutely don't have to stop using one make just because you take on another. As long as the intention if doing so isn't to commit a crime/fraud, it's fine. Lots of people use two names, especially for professional reasons.

You have to have the name on your passport match the name on your airline tickets, but that doesn't mean it's illegal to use other names.

Eg my passort says
Mrs julieanne grant (not real name), so does my ticket
My credit card says julie grant, as that's what I'm known as
My bank card says miss julie Brown as I didn't bother changing it when I got married
My work knows me as dr jullieanne Brown as that's my professional name

It's always so complicated for women isn't it? Men rarely have this problem. I didn't change my name when I got married and absolutely everything is in my own name. Passport, driving licence, bank accounts etc. DH and I have a joint account in Miss My surname and Mr His Surname.

Should I ever get divorced at least that'll be one less thing to worry about!

I'm using 2 names just now. Not been a problem with anyone

I have gone back to my maiden name for my passport (it's also what I use at work) but everything else is still in my married name - I'm too lazy to change it!!