Scotland and England have a few minor differences regarding name changes. People decide to change their names for a variety of reasons. It might help people feel more at ease in their skin and even enhance their mental health. Although there are other ways to change your name, deed polls are the most convenient, economical, and rapid method for most people.
Civil Partnership, Marriage and Divorce
Following your marriage or civil partnership, you can change your name. Some decide to use their two surnames together. Your marriage licence or civil partnership agreement is formal documentation of your name change.
It is reasonable that many people want to revert to their pre-marital name following a separation or divorce. Several factors will determine how you do this, such as how you registered your name change. Have you finalised your divorce? You might need to go through the same process as when you first changed the name.
Gender Fluidity and Gender Reassignment
Transgender individuals are free to alter their names at any time; they are not required to transition before doing so. This gives a lot of people the opportunity to live their lives as they choose and get acknowledged for it. To perform this, you don’t need to be certified. There is no protocol you need to follow if all you want to do is let people know how you want to be addressed or if you only want to switch up your pronouns. The Scottish Trans website has further useful information and guidance.
Statutory Declaration
In Scotland, a statutory declaration made and approved by a notary public or justice of the peace can be used to alter your name. After that, this serves as formal proof of your name change. You should contact a legal expert if you need help with this process.
Who to Tell
Here is a handy list of who you should notify following a name change:
- DVLA Passport Division
- Your employer
- Your bank
- Your mortgage lender
- Any business with whom you have a credit card, ISA, or loan (including student loans)
- Both historical and current pension providers
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Gas, electric, water, phone, and internet utility providers
- Insurance providers
- HMRC
- DWP
If you have questions about using a deed poll to change your name, contact DeedPolls.com for deed poll assistance on 020 8150 2010.