How do I convince my bank to change the name on my account?

[TooOldForGlitter]

I know this is more of a 'chat' post but chances are there are people here who will know the answer to this!

My bank account is in my ex husbands surname, I haven't used that surname for many years and nothing else is still in that name except my bank account. My bank insist that I cannot change my name without a change of name deed. Are they right? I can't see how they can be when there is no law about taking your husbands name. I know this is trivial

I'd just say right fine then and close it and take my business elsewhere.

Go somewhere else

And I don't think it's trivial really not to want letters and internet banking and things with a name you don't use and which is connected to your ex all over it!

...ask them why they have a bank account in a name that isn't your legal name? Show them your passport?

Divorce papers are surely what you need to prove this, you don't need a "name change document"

Have you reverted to your maiden mame? If so, have you tried showing the bank your marriage certificate, your decree absolute and ID (passport ideally) in the name you're currently known by and using? At least that will show the paper trail of how you've changed your name, hassle though it is to have to produce. Alternatively, as the pp said, take your business elsewhere!

I don't think it's trivial either and would tell them to shove close the account and open one with someone else.

They are wrong in law. Unless you have a particular connection with this bank ( I've had the same main current account I opened when I was 17. They let me live way beyond my means on overdraft for years. I couldn't have left them then) I would ask nicely once then close the account.

I have reverted to my birth name yes (I hate saying maiden name!). I don't have a passport and I can't drive so I don't have any photo ID. I did take it my birth certificate and decree absolute but they wouldn't accept these.

I would just close the account. There is no arguing with stupid.

Do you have a payslip/benefits/tax credits letter/ ctax bill etc in your current birth name? Take those.

Yes, all my payslips are in my birth name, that might be an idea. I think I will call in at some point this week and if they won't accept it then i'll close my account.

It's ridiculous i've been divorced over 10 years now and still have his name following me around!

It would probably be easier to open a bank account elsewhere but if you want to stay you could start a formal complaint, go through ombudsman etc.

I had a problem when I got married where my bank started recording my husbands name on my credit file and had to go to the financial ombudsman to resolve it but it took at least a year to resolve. That was Santander. Now with HSBC.

They really must accept decree absolute as proof of change of name. It's legal proof of your name change.

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

thatstoast that's awful!

That's a useful link thanks Gilbert

I know a lot of people don't like the term 'maiden name' but it's a legal term to define the name you're using and known by when you contract your first marriage (often the same as your birth name, but not always).

Just close the account. My XH wouldn't meet me for ten minutes at the bank to take my name off an account he wanted to use, so I genuinely could have whizzed thousands as I could still see and access it online. In the end he only had a quid in there so I went and closed it. I bought a lottery ticket with the quid. It's easier to close out a whole account without another person's consent, than take their name off. I don't ever recall signing over our jointly owned house to home either...that seemed way too easy to do as well.

Like Gilbert said, I'm sure they accept decree absolute. My mum had to change her name with her bank. She had to apply for it, I think, then took it in. Done.

It's probably the lack of photo identification that's making it tricky. Could you get a provisional license?

Otherwise you can use your decree alongside three address id bits such as; a utility bill, tax code notification, council tax bill, firearm licence, etc

You don't persuade them you tell them and if they don't like it you take your account elsewhere. If you want a deed I did mine for £0 - I can send you the words.

If they insist on the deedpoll you could do one a week in a different namem for a couple of months to annoy them.

Banks are shit about this, one refused my friend's deedpoll! Another has insisted a coworker can't double barrel.

Turn up with a friend in a suit who claims to be your 'representative' and get them to ask why they are refusing to do something perfectly legal on your behalf, that can also be fun.

I know a lot of people don't like the term 'maiden name' but it's a legal term

I did not know this, yuch!

It reminds me of the use of 'maiden over' in cricket.

Is it a legal term? It's not in Scots law. Legally your name is your name. For everyone this is the name on your birth certificate and for most men and many women will be your name for life.

There are various reasons why some people decide to change that name and once changed that becomes your name. In Scots law you can call yourself anything you want as long as it not with fraudulent or criminal intent. You can if you want swear and sign a declaration in front a notary public that you want to be called something completely different and send that off to the relevant authorities - but it's not essential.

Maiden name is used in registration law in England and Wales. When a birth is registered, the mother is asked to state the 'name she is currently known by and using', and if married, her maiden surname (which may or not be the same as her current name and may or may not be the same as the surname she was given when her own birth was registered).