Changing name by de poll

[Hartey40]

I’m thinking of changing my name to my partner’s surname, I’m divorced and I don’t want the name anymore, nor do I want to go back to my maiden name, as it’s a very unusual name and my father wasn’t a nice man, so don’t want the association. I am engaged to my partner but no immediate plans to marry yet, so wouldn’t be that strange to do this. Anyone else done this?

Never done it but it's pretty easy to do if you want to. Not that much more tricky to do a register office quick marriage though, and maybe more clear?

Yes I did it through a lawyer but later found out you can literally write a letter containing old name and new name,get 2 unrelated people to sign as witness and you can get passport, drivers licence, bank account etc in new name.

It's not weird. I did it before I got married too for various reasons.

It's Deed Poll

I changed my name when I was 18 from my dad’s surname to my mum’s maiden name. It was very easy to do - just fill in an application, they send you the forms and you get two witnesses then that’s it - you can use your new name legally everywhere then.

Yeah I did it. Unfortunately not before dd was born but that was what prompted me to do it. Seeing ex husbands surname on her hospital band was a bit of a shock..
Got married 5 years later.
Very easy to do.

I wouldn’t change it to my partners name that’s just weird, wait until you are married to change it to your partners.

people will assume you got married and you’ll need to explain it each time.

There’s some information here on how to change your name by Deed Poll.

I think it costs £50.32.

You don't need to pay for it. Print out a template online, fill it in. Get it signed by 2 people that you aren't related to.
Me and DC all did this and so far the only place that hasn't accepted it was when I applied for the winter fuel fund or whatever its called

If you do it before getting married, does it look a bit weird on the marriage certificate?

Totally irrelevant I know.

If you are going to do it use gov.uk, there is no need to use lawyers or specialist firms. It is so so simple to do and cost only a few pounds. Don't get conned.

It doesn’t cost a penny!

I know as I did it, drew up my own deed poll and got 2 witnesses to sign.
Good enough for new driving license and passport.

You don't even have to pay "a few pounds".

Some women really just change names like they’re switching tops. Wow.

It just has both full names on with the same surname so a bit odd but not a huge deal. The worst thing was we got married in the States so everything was done for us rather than us having signs etc printed ourselves and the sign outside the door said the wedding of samesurname & samesurname 🙈

I changed my name to my DHs before we were married as my divorce wasn't finalised so my legal name was still my XHs and DS was due soon, I could have changed it back to my maiden name but we were planning on getting married and I wanted us to all have the same surname so didnt want the hassle of yet another surname change.

No one has ever questioned us, all family and friends we told them, people we met through DSs school etc didn't really say anything and if we became friends then I would explain.

Wow really? I’ve had two names my whole life…my maiden name, then my married name, I was married 27 years, so not me.

It could be a few years before we marry as we want to get married in Spain.

It makes sense IMO.

Have you looked up your mothers maiden name, or would that not work for you?

Yes, really. You are going to change your name. To that of a man. For the second time in your life. You don’t find that even slightly ridiculous? Do you see yourself as property to be rebranded every time you change ‘owners’?

Jesus.

I think your comments are more ridiculous. More people change their names to their DHs than dont but even so it literally is no one else's business as long as the OP is comfortable.

I certainly dont have my husband's surname because he is my owner, we have been together since I was 25, have a family together and I wanted us to have the same surname as a family. I was married very young before that and traditionally took my husband's name at the time. I still didnt consider it ownership, just traditional.

I would not change my surname again even if DH and I weren't together as its the same name as my DCs and that's really important to me.

I can't imagine having such a lack of critical thinking that I couldn't understand why other people may do thing differently.

That’s really unnecessary and rude. People are talking about changing their name after a divorce and suddenly they’re changing their name as often as they change tops? So twice? 🙄

Just traditional, you say? And what’s the basis of said tradition? As you don’t appear to know, Google ‘coverture’.

I can’t imagine having such a lack of critical thinking that I reflexively embraced sexist traditions.

Changing her name to yet another man’s name for the second time. I think it’s ridiculous.

She posted in AIBU. I think she’s BU. My opinion is no more ‘unnecessary’ than yours.