Child benefit question - married name/maiden name

[Gingerbreadpixie]

Hi. This is probably the completely wrong place to post this but I couldn't figure out where was best.

I've been filling in my child benefit form to claim for my new baby. I called the helpline to get some help and I think I may have been given the wrong advice. Im tempted to call back and speak to someone else!

I've put down my married name and filled my maiden name in the space provided. My bank account is in my maiden name. The lady I spoke to said I'd have to get my bank account changed into my married name to receive the payments. This doesn't sound quite right to me. In fact, there is an option on the form to have it paid into someone else's account entirely if you wish, so why would they mind if your account is in your maiden name? Should I send a copy of my marriage certificate along with baby's birth certificate or would this be unnecessary?

Sorry if this sounds stupid. I'm a first-time mum and despite previously working in a high-pressured media job I am having trouble with the simplest things these days. Such as filling in forms! :(

You won't need to give your married name. You just need to give them your account number, sort code and name. You can choose to have it paid into whichever account you want.

And no, you wouldn't have to send your marriage certificate.

Thank you! So should I claim under my maiden name all the way through the form and not put my married name down? It's just that my married name is on the birth certificate

do it in the name you use now