Changing back to maiden name and getting documentation

[HelBarl1]

Hi, I'm looking to go back to maiden name after getting divorced. I'm researching what needs to be done and it's quite stressful and confusing. Ladies who have been in this position, what order did you find worked first. I've booked a holiday abroad for a year's time purposely with my maiden name to give me the kick up the bum that I need to get the changes made! I've looked to see if I can just do the passport first but they want evidence that I'm already using my maiden name which I've not done yet. Help! Thanks x

Sorry can’t advise but watching with interest as I have lots of different things in my maiden name/married name (now divorced) and doing the Swedish death cleanse want to bring everything into line to make easier for the DC having to sort out my affairs.
Not sure how to do that.

Just do a deed poll and get it witnessed by two friends. It’s free! Then change your driving licence - job done, you now have photo id in your new name. From there you can do bank, gp etc etc

its a piece of paper, costs nothing and was just such a freeing wonderful step for me. I how it brings similar freedom and peace for you.

Have you changed your name at work? Your birth certificate and a payslip will be enough for the passport.

I've got an idea now. We can type our own unenrolled deed poll and make multiple copies. Have two witnesses sign each one. Send the one deed poll to DVLA first as they will accept this without you having to send original certs like birth and marriage certs. I don't trust them, I've known them to lose documentation for a kit of people. Then take another deed poll to your bank with your bank card, birth and marriage certs and final order. It'll be done instantly, get a bank statement printed immediately with the new name. This bank statement can then be used as evidence to the passport office that you're using your maiden name already. Or you could use your new driving license when it arrives to change your name on your passport, along with your birth and marriage certs, final order and a statement saying you have reverted to your maiden for all purposes and are no longer using your married name.

Thank you so much, I've found this it whilst doing a fair bit of research. I'll be doing exactly the steps you've said, thank you!

I haven't yet no, as I hadn't changed my bank details to my maiden name, so I was worried if this would affect my pay. I'll change my name with them once my bank details are done. Thanks for your help!

I did the deed poll thing. Everyone accepted it as if it was some kind of magical spell.

I just requested to change mine back. Legally you only adopt your married name so you are allowed to change back without anything legal. I sent my birth certificate for a new passport and driving licence, and I kicked up a bit of a fuss with the bank and reminded them that a married name is only an adopted name and they eventually changed it back for me. Once you have your IDs you can use that for anything else.