Changing name after being married 1 year+

[zerotheorem]

Posting this here for traffic

I want to know how much of a hassle it really is to change your surname.

Been married 18 months now and never really bothered about changing my name, however I'm now pregnant and would like to change my name so I have the same surname as DC when they are born and so my surname is the same as my husband's on the birth certificate.

Do I need a new passport in order to start changing my name at places or not? And have I left it too late now with all my maternity notes etc being in my maiden name? I'm wondering this because from what I can see online you shouldn't really be ordering a new passport in the current climate unless it's urgent so if I need to provide ID with my "new" name on it then I'm a bit stuffed, aren't I?

I haven't really looked into it too much as like I say it never bothered us before but I'd like to change my name now.

Why don’t you give the baby your surname?

I was un the same position. I used my marriage certificate told them my surname was my husbands surname. They didn't need to see anything else.

@FizzyGreenWater because my husband's surname is a nicer, shorter one and flows much better with names than mine does, it makes choosing names much easier and I want us all to have the same name as a family. I have used my husband's name "unofficially" when ordering stuff online, on social media etc etc just never changed it legally as it never seemed a pressing matter but now I would like to

Just use your marriage certificate.

Ah. It's one of those nicer male names...

I did hope my marriage certificate would suffice, thank you!

All you need to use your husbands surname is your marriage certificate.

@eurochick
It's just a very short one syllable name compared to my long three syllable surname. The names we have chosen so far have all been slightly longer and more "unusual" so a simple surname flows much better

Get an extra copy of your marriage certificate (I have three certificates) start calling places. My credit cards changed easily, my driving licence i had send away my certificate, my banks asked for a photocopy so I actually went in and then they took a copy, mortgage providers, electoral role etc. I think I only sent it away to two places, my passport is still in my maiden name I’m not paying for a new one till that runs out(you can legally use either maiden or married name so this is ok as long as any travel is booked under the name on your passport). My pension providers asked for a pdf,if you get access to a scanner keep a pdf in your e-mail it’s really easy then.

@eurochick sometimes people have better names. My husband has a great surname and mine was shot and used to bully me, having a new name felt like a new start for me. Mind you if he had his mother’s maiden name I would not have changed as it’s vile.

@BashfulClam Thank you so much! I have 2 copies of my marriage certificate already and I'll be able to scan one on to the laptop if I need to send a pdf so that's really helpful.

It’s really easy to do with a marriage certificate and you can ask them to update maternity notes. Just let midwife know at next appointment

Congratulations

Some places ask for copies only. Santander said not to send an original but I just went into my branch. They really could make it easy as HMRC, DVLA, electoral roll and passport are all .gov sites so why do not make it centralised considering the registers of births, deaths and marriages is also .gov. You should be able to go online, request name change enter the reference from your marriage certificate and Roberts your uncle...too simple! Let cou cil tax know as well actuslly! I kept a lost and ticked them off.

Yeah, most places are really easy. Leave your passport until it needs renewing otherwise you are paying for a full new passport. Just remember which name to book in if you do go away!

Send off for a new driving licence, then when it comes back a new passport. You just need your marriage certificate.