Changing name back to Maiden Name

[Pandora79]

Hi

I am separated from exdh. He was abusive and seeing his surname on all my documents and having to use it, makes me feel sick.

I finally move into my own home today and want a fresh start.

I want to go back to my maiden name, do I need to do this by deed poll? I looked on the government website which said if you are married, you must get your husbands or wife's permission.

And I need a declaration f4om someone I have know 10 years, who owns their own home who isn't a relative. No one I know fits that criteria. My relatives tend to be home owners, but my friends aren't.

Not sure if it's because it's so early and I need more coffee, but the government website isn't making sense to me.

Any help would be appreciated.

Are you in England /Wales?

Sorry, yes. I am in england. Forgot to put that.

Definitely need more coffee

I'm in England. I just applied for a passport in my maiden name , I had to enclose a cover letter explaining this. The passport was enough ID to change my name with my bank, place of work etc.

You don't need a deed poll. You are legally entitled to use either name, however, changing it back on formal things such as bank accounts and passports you will tend to need the divorce certificate for. So if you are wanting to do it more urgently, then go the deedpoll route - pretty sure it doesn't have to cost either.

I'm assuming you have your birth certificate - I just used mine when I reverted back ( 10 years ago ) didn't have to do a deed poll.

MagicFajita so you didn't do deed poll?

TheHodgeoftheHedge on the gov website it appears to coat £36 But I need the declaration, that I can't get. And stbxh agreement, which I won't get.

Can't believe I have to have his permission to change my own name. Ffs.

namethecat that's brilliant. Thank you!

Will apply for my passport asap.

I didn't used deed poll. My divorce solicitor had a standard change of name declaration that he witnessed me signing and countersigned. This is the document I then used for passport, driving licence etc. It was £25, 10 years ago now.

Where have you read about needing his permission? I can't see anything that suggests that on gov.uk (and of course you wouldn't - if you were changing the name of a child you would need permission).

www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-to-change-your-name-forms-loc020-loc021-and-loc025

In the guidance forms is says that if you are married you need permission for your husband or wife.

Can you send us a link to where you are reading this, because I think you are misunderstanding.

TheHodgeoftheHedge on the gov website it appears to coat £36 But I need the declaration, that I can't get. And stbxh agreement, which I won't get.

Can't believe I have to have his permission to change my own name. Ffs.

You do NOT need his permission to revert to your maiden name. Categorically.

I have attached a screen shot. If you click the link I posted and the go to loc019 (deed poll pack and guidance forms) and scroll to page 2.

No op , I didn't need a deed poll name change. I was divorced though so enclosed my decree absolute with my passport application.

www.theguardian.com/money/2013/feb/06/changing-your-name-dos-and-donts

Read this. Legally you are entitled to use either name after marriage so I still don't see how his permission would be required to relinquish his name.
I think it's only if you were doing something with his name if that makes sense?

magicfajita I wanted to do it before divorce, so that may not work for me.

He will drag the divorce and make it take ages.

TheHodgeoftheHedge thank you, I will read the link now.

Permission is only required if you want to register the deed poll with the Courts. That is not really not necessary. Just crack on - passport first as pps said helps. Download a template from google for a deed poll and get it witnessed if anyone else is looking for 'proof'.

You don't need to do any of that Deed Poll nonsense.

I will do them for existing clients for a few quid as they are dead easy. Non clients get charged more because of the admin in setting them up as new clients.

Don't know why the government site still hosts all that rubbish.

Here you go, template on this site. Declare it for a fiver at a solicitor's. Bob's your uncle

www.rocketlawyer.co.uk/documentV2.ca?t=ed9258e7-6f35-4c34-9ca0-4b9ddc153f4d#p-69784167-0274-4c3a-8e5f-ceb652155475

That government site is totally wrong and misleading.

The Guardian article is the one you need to read, then this free deed poll site, freedeedpoll.org.uk

Although like pp's say, not necessary if you want to revert to your maiden name.

Are you absolutely sure though? This is your ideal opportunity to become Ms Penelope Longstocking or Miss Elvis The Pelvis or Jesus Jones or............

Brilliant, thank you.

I have done a template, just need to get witnesses and I can crack on!

Thank you all so much!

This is your ideal opportunity to become Ms Penelope Longstocking or Miss Elvis The Pelvis or Jesus Jones or......

Hahhahhaa I spent months trying to come up with something new and exciting.....I failed miserably at it.

I'm glad you're getting it sorted op. It makes me cross when there's not clear information on how a woman can revert to their own name.

magicfajita me too.

Tbh I have been kicking myself for years for changing it in the first place. Mum's been married loads of times so I had a few different names growing up. Never officially changed it though. I went back to my dad's name (when she married him again) at 15. I got married at 20 and didn't feel attached to my maiden name. Stbexh wasn't happy at all when i raised, maybe keeping my own name. That probably should have been a red flag there.

Over the years though I wished I had kept it or known how easy it was to change it.

Fabulous news OP :) Wishing you tons of luck with it and the future xx

@Pandora79 I've recently remarried but loved using MY name again so much that I didn't want to lose it. We decided to both hyphenate our names , the bloody name just about fits on forms but we both love it. He's had some weird comments from his admin team about how they've never had to name change for a man after marriage though. It's ridiculous.

Anyway , I'm rambling , enjoy using your name