Reverting to use maiden name but not getting divorced. Do I need a deed poll?

[MartinEPSeligman]

I've been married 27 years and kept my maiden name at work but changed to my married name on my passport and driving license.
I've always regretted this as I feel it's not 'me' and so decided I'd revert to all my documentation back to my maiden name.

This was fine with my passport I provided my marriage certificate and they changed the name.

The DVLA however have had my birth certificate and my marriage cerifictae and are now insisting I can only revert back to my maiden name on my licnece if I get a deed poll changing my name.

I don't want to do this as I'm not changing my name! It seems ridiculous that I have to get a deed poll when my passport is in my maiden name!

Any advice? Am I legally entityled to use my maiden name without getting a deed poll?

No but it would probably be advisable to execute a deed poll to avoid complications down the line, particularly with banks etc.

You will need a deed poll for official documents such as your passport. You can do it yourself using a template letter for free, or do it online for a very minimal cost.

The DVLA are wrong. As has been shown by the passport office changing your passport.

I’m confused if I’m missing something as pp think you need one, but I don’t know why you would need a deed Poll? It literally says on the application you can send a note declaring you’ve changed your name and that’s sufficient. Anyone can change their name anytime (except a few exceptions)
my understanding also was that if your name on your passport has changed, your passport is sufficient ID for your drivers license, and those two are then sufficient for everything else like banks.

My passport was already chnaged back to my maiden name. Without a deed poll.

The DVLA are now asking for a deed poll.

I said I didn't need a deed poll to use my maidne name?

That's what I thought. But they are insisting.

What name did you sign on your marriage certificate?

Can't you just show them your reissued passport?

They won't accept that anymore apparently.

When I divorced, many years ago, I remember asking if I could now use my maiden name. My solicitor said I needed to change it via deed poll so I kept my married name.

did you send it at the same time as doing your passport?

If so I’d cancel the application and submit it again using your passport as your proof.

The DVLA are a law unto themselves sometimes. My DD had a nightmare with them as they printed the wrong DOB on her license. Took 11 months to get sorted.

My maiden name.

Go through their complaints procedure. They’re wrong but getting them to admit as much will be a nightmare.

They say they won't accpet it.
But I think you are right they are a law unto themsleves. I've had 4 pieces of diffreing advice.

I guess just doing the deed poll is the easiest thing. But I resent doing it.

DVLA are having a power trip. Just send any ID with the name you want to use. They sent my licence with both my names on it, married and birth name. Same with passport, I didn't mention it and when I renew will ask them to drop the married name off

You can use the wording given here on the government website
www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/make-an-adult-deed-poll

I did mine a few years ago using different wording from somewhere like Wikipedia. I printed it at home and got 2 friends to sign it. I didn't enroll it and it was accepted for my new passport and driving licence with no quibbles.

It's annoying but you can solve the issue quite easily and for no cost.

Agree with others that DVLA are wrong. Their own website says you just need form D1 (or D2 for vocational licences).

However I suspect they won't be the only outfit who, either instituionally or at the level of individual employees, don't grasp that the law says you can call yourself anything you like. For that reason there's an argument for getting a deed poll executed and keeping it up your sleeve.

Yes, I guess I'll grit my teeth and do the Deed Poll but I'm just so annoyed with them!!

After marriage women are entitled to use either name without a deed poll!

I did the same a few years back - reverted to maiden name without divorcing. It was easy to download a pro-forma deed poll from the internet and have a couple of friends sign it for me. It only cost the paper it was printed on!

I'd suggest getting a few copies signed though - government departments often ask for originals and then lose them so having a backup original isn't the worst plan.