www.deedpollsonline.co.uk

About Deed Polls
What is a Deed Poll?
Why is it called a Deed Poll?
What is the purpose of a Deed Poll?
Who can apply?
Can I change my children's names?
Are there any restrictions on names?
Is a Deed Poll registered anywhere?
Can a birth certificate be changed?
Why do people change their name?
Answers to other FAQs

Applying for a Deed Poll
Change your name online now
Example letters of consent

General name change information
Introduction
A woman's rights upon marriage
A man's rights upon marriage
A woman's rights upon divorce
A woman's rights upon being widowed
Your rights upon adoption
Who to advise after changing your name

UK Deed Poll Service
Contact us
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions and your rights
 

There is no legal requirement for a woman to change her surname when she gets married. It is her own personal choice, although by tradition it is usually the case.

Upon marriage, there are two options available to the woman only:

• To continue using her maiden name, or
• Change her surname.

If a woman decides to change her surname to that of her husband's, the marriage certificate provides the necessary documentary evidence that she has changed her name. By sending her marriage certificate to all concerned, her documents and records will be changed to show her new surname.

However, should either or both of the couple decide to have a double barrelled or hyphenated name using both their surnames (or any other name change), a Deed Poll should be executed. 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. Please note, the passport office and DVLA will issue a new passport and driving licence showing a double barrelled surname upon presentation of the marriage certificate.

If a couple decide to share a surname upon marriage that is different from the man's (a double barrelled surname for example), he should consider executing a Deed Poll before he gets married. Consequently, upon marriage, his wife can take his (new) surname. This saves the cost of the woman having to execute a Deed Poll after marriage. Furthermore, because the woman can get her passport changed to show her new surname before she get married, the couple can travel on their honeymoon in their new married surname. Note, you should only follow the above advice if you have sufficient time (at least four weeks) to get the documents you need for your honeymoon changed before you travel, for example, your passport, travel documents, driving licence, credit cards etc. You are strongly advised not to travel overseas with documents in different names.

Many women do not like the idea of totally abandoning their maiden name and would like a way of keeping a link to their family name without having a double barrelled surname. One solution is to have her maiden name as a middle name, which should be done by executing a Deed Poll if you require all your documents and records changed including your passport and driving license etc.

Last updated: 28 April 2003