Question about name change!!!

[november90]

So me and ex have been separated 1 year and have another year before we can start divorce proceedings.
I use my maiden name but it bothers me that on my bank card, the doctors etc I'm still under my married name so I was hoping to change it and pay.
My ex has been really emotionally abusive to me throughout of break up and I just don't want his name anymore.
My question is I've read a lot about name change being penned, enrolled etc and I'm a bit confused.
If I change it via depoll and get the certificate to change at the bank docs etc will it automatically change on public records when we divorce?

You don't have to do any of that. You can revert to your original name any time you want.

Your name is still your name, it always was and always will be. When you begin to use someone else’s surname such as after marriage it’s never your actual name, it’s just some kind of courtesy title. Your real name doesn’t change and you can start using it again.

Really? So I could ring the doctors up and my bank and tell them in using my maiden name again? I'm still married :(

PP's are correct, but I found in reality, most institutions asked for 'proof'. To avoid the hassle, I just got the solicitor to do a Deed Poll, but I understand you can do one on the internet.

Being married or divorced doesn’t mean anything, of course you can use your own name again. Your name never really changes, you just used someone else’s temporarily through marriage that’s all.

I waited until I had my decree absolute. Bank, passport and DVLA needed that along with my marriage cert to prove it my maiden name I was reverting to.

Once those were done, everything else was easy.

If you can't wait until you have divorce papers, deed poll is the way to go.

Yes, you can just start using your maiden name, but that's not enough for passport and driving license.

That can’t be true about dvla and passport office, that you need proof of annulment or divorce to resume use of your own name?

^sort of rhetorical, not accusing PP of lying 😀

We were only married 1 year before he left me (when I was pregnant!!!!!!!) so my passport is actually still in my maiden name 🙈 I don't plan on going anywhere... I think it's more the doctors and bank where it bothers me!

@Ylfa

That can’t be true about dvla and passport office, that you need proof of annulment or divorce to resume use of your own name?

^sort of rhetorical, not accusing PP of lying 😀

Well it was true in 2013. It's what I had to do. They all wanted originals or certified copies. A friend certified them for me.

@november90

We were only married 1 year before he left me (when I was pregnant!!!!!!!) so my passport is actually still in my maiden name 🙈 I don't plan on going anywhere... I think it's more the doctors and bank where it bothers me!

The doctor will just change it with a phone call, as will most places. My bank wanted the paperwork.

Use your passport as proof of anyone asks?

You definitely do not need a deed poll.

If you didn't change your passport, there's no problem. Everyone will accept that.

I'm just a bit worried about the public records but though as surely I'm legallly my martial surname? Sorry if I'm sounded stupid!

Sorry, I'm contradicting myself here, I think. I've been thrown by realizing your passport is in your maiden name.

I changed everything when married then changed everything back when divorced.

Most places will just go on your day so. Some will accept your passport. I defo needed all the paperwork for the bank and dvla, but there's a chance that it's because I did it while I was waiting for the new passport to come back.

I'm just a bit worried about the public records but though as surely I'm legallly my martial surname? Sorry if I'm sounded stupid!

I don't even know what you mean. If you are using your original name, your passport is in that name and you change the bank/doctors etc to match then that is your name. What do you mean 'public records'? You can change your name at anytime!

You don't sound stupid at all. It can get confusing.

When I changed the name on my passport I'm sure there was a bit in the declaration saying that this was the name I would use and be known by. It made me wonder about women who use different surnames at work and at home.

What I mean is you are only legally your married surname for as long as you choose to be.

By public records are you referring to the electoral register? Contact your local authority to get your details updated.

@november90

I'm just a bit worried about the public records but though as surely I'm legallly my martial surname? Sorry if I'm sounded stupid!

What public records? Your name is your name. You used a different name for a while after you got married which is allowed as long as you aren't doing it to commit fraud but your name is still the name you were born with.

I reverted to my maiden name following separation earlier this year. I searched for 'statutory declaration' template online, typed it up and got a local solicitor to witness it. Cost £5. Got a few copies done. Changed pretty much everything using that although many organisations just took my word for it.