The Name Game Getting married traditionally involves the bride taking on her husbands surnames, but this isn’t a legal requirement and as WJ reveals, there are other options available…
So what are the choices available? Well you can retain your maiden name, choose a double barrelled surname, keep your maiden name as your middle name or even have your husband change his name! Only two of these options do not require a Deed Poll: - To continue using your maiden name, or
- Taking on your husband's surname.
If you decide to change your surname to that of your husband's, the marriage certificate provides the necessary documentary evidence that you have changed your name.
KEEPING YOUR MAIDEN NAME
This is probably the easiest option as it means you don’t need to worry about changing your details on official documents. As well as being the lazy choice, it’s also a favourite with career women whose names are well known and with women who, much as they love their husband, simply can’t stand his surname.
CHOOSING A DOUBLE BARRELLED SURNAME
A double-barrelled surname combine both your surnames. The surname can be linked by a hyphen or kept separate e.g. Smith-Jones or Smith Jones, it’s your personal choice whether a hyphen is used and which order the names are placed. Should either or both of the couple decide to have a double-barrelled surname a Deed Poll is usually required. Although some companies and organisations may change their records to show a double-barrelled name upon presentation of the marriage certificate, many will not. A Deed Poll will ensure that the name you choose is accepted by everyone without question.
If you both decide to change your surname to a double-barrelled surname, the cost of a second Deed Poll can be avoided if your husband changes his surname to the double-barrelled surname before marriage. Consequently, his new surname will appear on the marriage certificate allowing you to take your husband's (double-barrelled) surname in the traditional way.
CHANGING HIS NAME
Few people know this, but it is possible for the groom to take on the bride’s name, making things very simple for the bride. He can start using the bride’s surname immediately after the wedding, but unlike the traditional method where the bride takes on the groom’s name, the groom must go through Deed Poll to change all his official documents and records.
USING BOTH NAMES
Many brides like the idea of being able to use their maiden name, especially where loosing it would be detrimental to their career, while also embracing the tradition of taking on their husband’s name. You can legally pick and choose which circumstances you are known by your maiden name and which by your married name, but you need to have your wits about you as this can create financial and legal confusion
USING YOUR MAIDEN NAME AS A MIDDLE NAME
A good way of keeping your maiden name incorporated in your name is to make it your middle name. To do this and to have your records and documents changed accordingly, you need to change your name via Deed Poll after the wedding.
THE TRADITIONAL ROUTE
If you decide to go with the tried and tested procedure of taking on your husband’s surname you will need to notify everyone of your change of name, supplying proof of marriage (i.e. your marriage certificate) in most cases. Think about each and every aspect of your life and make a list of all the companies and people that you need to inform. Make things easy for yourself by writing a standard letter informing people of your name change and attach a copy of marriage certificate to each. Government departments, Banks and Building Societies will need to see the original document to make the changes, but most other establishments simply need a copy
WHO NEEDS TO KNOW?
Here are some of the companies and organisations you need to inform of your name change: | Bank
Building society (mortgage/savings)
Credit card company
Clubs and societies
Doctor
Dentist
Department of Health & Social Security
Driving Licence Association
Employer
| Loan companies
Inland Revenue
Insurance companies
Investment companies
Mail order companies
Magazine subscription
Passport Office
Pension company |
|
Planning 
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