How do you change your surname?

[rockpink]

I've been separated for years and starting a University course soon. I want my degree in my original name so I'm thinking about legally changing it.
How do I go about it? CAB?
No way am I paying for this divorce, but I am happy to pay to change my name

Look at the Uk Deed Poll website for all the info.

If you have been seperated for more than two years a divorce is relatively easy and cheap. Why would you want to remain married to someone you have been sperated from for "years"? Strange!

You go onto a deed poll site like this

changemyname.to

and fill in the details and they will post you all the legal stuff and instructions.

sorry should be www.changemyname.to

Thank you for the info, I'll look there.

Why is that strange that I want to remain married to him? It's not, I don't wish to be associated with him at all - I am just not paying for the divorce that's all.

I thought and I could be wrong, that your married name is courtesy thing and that you could still legally use either that or your maiden name for whatever you choose? Like MsX at work and the bank and Mrs Y at the doctors or school or whatever.

You need a change of name deed. Ignore references to Deed Poll. They're expensive (if done properly), and entirely unnecessary.

Sorry didn't mean to offend but I reckon most would thinks it's a little strange to remain married to someone you don't wish to have anything to do with! Perhaps the cost you talk about is not just the actual divorce fees but split up of assets?

when you get married you have two names

your original name and your married names

you can use both as you wish, just register for your course in your original name and there you go, that is now your name .

No assets left, he made us lose them all. Hence I ain't paying anything towards divorce.
I registered on the course in my maiden name but CRB checks, student finance and pre-course access qualifications etc are all in my married name, they said once I had a proof of name change I could be known as "Z" instead of "X" and my degree would be in that name.

this Collaborate ?

Two recent threads on it:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/2167009-Desparately-need-my-maiden-name-back-any-advice

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_matters/2181243-changing-passport-to-maiden-name-after-divorce

thank you! I'll check them :)

If you are just returning to your maiden name you don't need to pay.

Just take your birth certificate into your bank and a letter showing you are getting a divorce. Once the bank had changed everything should follow.

This is what I did as added my DH's name to mine. As long as you are not choosing a new name there is no need to pay by deed poll. I researched this.

Once divorce comes through just send confirmation of this and covering letter saying you want to return to maiden name to change driving licence etc

I haven't got anything saying I'm getting a divorce though. There's no divorce in progress.

I just want my name back.
I'm going to pop into solicitors and just ask if they can officially stamp a statement that I make saying I revert to the name of A instead of Z and that I wish to be known as such from now on!

I hope it gets sorted and you don't come up against loads of jobsworths telling you that you can't change your name without getting divorced. Banks etc can be ridiculously old fashioned in that respect.

I haven't got anything saying I'm getting a divorce though.
You do NOT need anything saying you're getting a divorce.

I have changed my name twice like that. You do not need a deed poll, you do not need a solicitor's letter, you do not need any divorce decree.

Change your name on your passport with your marriage certificate, birth certificate and a signed letter from you saying that you'll be using your own name from now on for all purposes. DVLA couldn't care less why you're changing your name and then you have two pieces of photographic official ID that will change everything else. Banks may argue, but back down after a few minutes of withering looks and logic.

Ok.....here goes. Will ring passport office & DVLA to see who I need to send it to!
You're all right..it is my own flippin' name and if I want to use it I should be allowed to "revert".

Passport office says here that I have to send in decree absolut ?!

Yes, I know that's the official line but many people, myself included, have not had to do that. I wrote a letter to them with the correct documentation and the form saying that I would be using my original name for everything and I got my new passport in a few weeks, no query. I'm not divorced but absolutely everything - banks, drivers licence, NHS, HMRC, child benefit, passport all changed.

Agree as long as you have your birth certificate and are going to use that name you are fine

OK - fingers crossed.
Thanks for all the invaluable advice!

i just wanted to warn mnetters re the website linked to by TravellingToad* www.changemyname.to

i went on there via the info on this thread over 2 weeks ago now. filled in the details, paid the fee and nothing.

no phone number on the website. only one post on their twitter feed. no response on twitter and no response by email.

clearly either a very incompetent company or just a con. beware.