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!

Odd, I'm looking at my Deed Poll paperwork from my solicitor and I had to sign to say that I won't use my old name again, from the date I signed the Deed Poll

If you are using your maiden name then since it's the one you were 'born with' then you never lose the entitlement to use it. You can use it from birth thru death, it is ALWAYS yours. (If you want to keep it!)

You can switch between maiden and married as you choose provided you have birth cert, marriage cert and decree absolute as necessary. I usually travel with a copy of my marriage cert 'just in case' give I've reverted to maiden name on passport but all other ID remains in married. (For now).

Any material changes other than that need to be by deed poll - I do have friends who were in a position where they wanted to get rid of their married name before being in receipt of the DA and so therefore went through deed poll instead since in the grand scheme it's not a huge cost. And I also have friends who wanted a total 'name overhaul'. They paid their fee and then it was a time issue given most orgs require original copies of the documents.

And just to add to the disagreements Valerrie you don't need a solicitor to do it.

Nooo Doesitgoto11 it's free!

valerrie why are you using a solicitor for a deed poll? It's free if you just follow the advice on gov.uk

But all the fuss about names reinforces my choice never to change mine. Changing address was bad enough.

Yes, I learned that you don't need one a while after using one. It was only £25 though, so didn't break the bank

Wheres - I did it in 2003 and didn't realise back then that it was free.

I want to add my maiden name to DDs passport she's 11 but exh won't agree to it and passport office are asking for an enrolled deed poll is there anything I can do? I'm not really changing dds name just adding my surname as a middle name..?

@WhatCanIDoNowPlease hey chicky read what I said, going back to maiden is free, deed poll costs

Apols - I misread too I'm having a bugger of a day tbh maiden name is ALWAYS free to use, material changes cost. Is that better? Sorry!!

@Doesitgoto11

Hey chicky, read what I said, deed poll is free .

Ah cross post.

You can change it from whatever you have to whatever you want but the deed poll is totally free. You don't need a solicitor, or to register it anywhere, or any funky rolled up paper.

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 used 2 names for years. I didn't change my passport.
It's perfectly legal. You can legally have more than one name as long as you don't use the names to defraud.

You can use whatever name you like as long as it's not to defraud. And you don't have to only use one name - lots of people use one surname at work and one in the rest of their lives.

You don't actually need a Deed poll to change your name, lots of places just seem to think they are allowed to insist on it.

@rabbitrabbit12 You won't be able to change her name without the agreement of everyone who has PR.

Aslo OP - travelling with your children without their father with a different name has the same issues as travelling with the same name. Airlines, immigration people etc are fully used to mother's not having the same name as their children as so many cultures operate that way already.

People don't simply get stopped at airports because of names. It's more about the fact it's a solo adult with children because most children who are abducted out of the country are abducted by their own parent.

Personally, having had delays at overseas airports, I would leave it until the DC have adult passports. Would that be a long delay for you?

DiesItGo: “If you are using your maiden name then since it's the one you were 'born with' then you never lose the entitlement to use it. You can use it from birth thru death, it is ALWAYS yours. (If you want to keep it!)”

Yes, So why on earth would anyone need to do a Deed Poll to revert to their maiden (I prefer ‘birth ‘) name whether or not the DA had arrived?

Sorry I missed all the replies...

Just to clarify, I am wanting to go back to Miss and my maiden name, but also want to add a middle name, so I will need a deed poll.