Changing back to my maiden name

[NightOfTheCactus]

Applying for the Decree Absolute today!

I've started using my maiden name again privately, but I'd really like to officially have it changed back.

What do I have to do to have my maiden name legally accepted again?

Thanks.

just use it - the law is that your legal name is the one you use.

Banks etc might get twitchy so be prepared to show your marriage certificate to demonstrate the reversal. Best to ask institutions what documentary evidence they require as they all have their own little rules. Its very common so not a problem.

One colleague of mine did it in stages, she double barrelled her original name with married name. ie Miss Brown married Mr Smith and became Mrs Smith. As she was divorcing she became Ms Brown-Smith. After a couple of years she dropped the Smith bit and was just known as Brown.... not sure if she did that with banks etc, but it worked well in a work context as everyone knew who she was. I never changed mine so never had the problem .

if you have children you might want to keep it as it is. My children are 11 and I've looked into this, I'm keeping it, plus it'll piss him off!

For banks etc you will probably need the decree absolute as proof that your marriage has ended.

Thanks. Definitely don't want to keep my married name - don't want to share that man's surname for any longer than I have to (even though it will mean having a different surname to DD). I have a feeling the Court took my marriage certificate and I just have a certified copy - not sure whether that'll cut the mustard...

You only ever had a certified copy. The original is the entry in the register. You probably had more than one certified copy.

For banks and driving license I had to provide original copies of both decree absolute and birth certificate. They wouldn't accept anything less. Unfortunately I can't afford a new passport so that's the only thing left that's still in my married name. Not that I can afford to go anywhere these days...

Thanks for your advice folks. Got a horrible feeling my birth certificate maybe a copy... Will have to have a look...

all certificates of birth death and marriage are copies - don't worry, They are certified copies of the original entry in the official book for either Birth, Death or marriage. The only thing original about the birth certificate many of us have is that it was the first copy to be issued of the entry in the book - but it's still a copy!

I splashed a very small amount of cash on a deed poll, did it online, got several certified copies. No idea where my marriage or birth certificates went the deed poll did the job for everything.