Double barrel surname / passport dilemma

[ThePartyArtist]

I need to renew my passport before I go abroad to marry. I'm considering double-barrelling my surname and can't decide if it's weird to do that before the wedding OR silly not to (as it'd save me paying twice for the new passport!) It's got me thinking about whether I do actually want to change my surname upon marriage. Obviously it could be quite a lot of administrative hassle (lots of savings accounts, email, passport, bills etc.) also I'm not sure if a double-barrell surname is just too much hassle! My surname is Scottish, 6 letters, 2 syllables and frequently mispronounced. My fiance's surname is very ordinary, 7 letters, 2 syllables. So combined it'd be 4 syllables. I don't really want to lose my surname altogether and would like future children to have both our names, but realise this might be a hassle.

Can anyone advise on whether I should double barrell my surname (keeping my name as the first part) and if so whether I should do it before or after marrying?

Entirely personal choice

I still have my name. Any future cd will have both

If you are going to double barrel do it now. I know someone who changed the name on their passport six months before marrying.

DC!

I don't think we will be releasing a cd.

Yes just wanted to add to the message that alternatively I could just keep my current name (sort of seems simplest option, plus I'd be a bit self conscious at work answering the phone with such a convoluted 4 syllable surname! I constantly have to spell mine out for people so adding a complication could be annoying!)

I have grown up with a different surname to my mum as parents are unmarried and I got my dad's name. I don't want my kids having a totally different surname from mine. So maybe easiest if I keep mine, fiance keeps his, and kids get lumbered with both! But then if I wouldn't want the hassle of the double barrel maybe that's unfair! Arrrggh dilemma dilemma!

I won't double barrel any kids. They will have both but use one day to day I think. Which one of our surnames that is may be down to the flip of a coin! If they don't like both names, or either, or want to double barrel them then they can make that choice at 18.

Will tje passport authority let you change your name without deed poll or a wedding certificate?

4 syllables is not bad for a double barrelled name. I am not DB ing because I'd end up with 5 and it's too much of a mouthful. Maybe just go with his but give yours to future DC as a middle name? That's a very Scottish thing anyway.

And no reason why you can't keep your own name professionally but use his name officially- how often do your professional and personal circles overlap? You can always let the switchboard know your aka in case the school call about the kids or something.

OP I have just checked and it looks like you can change your name before the ceremony but the passport will not be valid till after the ceremony. So you couldn't use it to travel to the ceremony. You'll need to get a new one in your current name.

Also, it seems that to apply in advance for a married name passport you'd need it signed by the British registrar or religious celebrant who is going to conduct the ceremony. So if your legal wedding is to be outside the UK that's another reason you can't do it.

I did wonder if you could change your name by deed poll to get round needing a new passport in your maiden name, but your passport has to show the same name as your flight booking so that won't work if you've booked already.

Jessie that definitely works if you change your name to DP's name - is it also to he same if you change it to something else, like double-barrelling?

Hi Trazzletoesï¼?not sure I understand the question, sorry...what definitely works? The conclusion I came to for OP was that nothing works!

I'd be inclined to keep your own name and give the DCs both, I've kept mine and have never had any problems apart from the odd cheque made out to me in DH's surname. I don't mind being different to the DCs though, some people don't like that.

Just remembered, I think there's an option to have an "also known as" note in a British passport. Not sure if that means you can have a flight booked in either name though.

A friend of mine double barrelled her name after her marriage - she had to get it done by deed poll. If she had just taken her husband's name only, she wouldn't need the deed poll.

So it would make sense in the OPs case if she wants to double barrell to do the deed poll when the passport needs renewing then it is irrespective of marriage but not quite as romantic

My DS loves his 5 syllable hyphenated surname, and loves that it comes from each of his parents.

Keep your name, which keeps the passport situation simple.

I have a double barrelled surname, you don't need to use deed poll if you have a marriage certificate. I think changing it before your wedding will be a lot of hassle as you'll have to use deed poll to get a passport in your new name.

If you're not 100% about double barrelling then it'd be so much easier to keep your own name.

Friends of mine ended up triple barreling their name as his was already doubled, now they have an 8 syllable surname!

Not sure it made it on to the passports though...

Oooops sorry Jessie I mis-read both your comment AND the OP

squidgy I think she'll need a passport in the name she booked the flights in, so she can't change it before the wedding unless she hasn't booked the flights yet. Airlines are usually very reluctant to change names and charge hefty fees-she may as well pay for the passport to be renewed in her own name.