Changing your name after entering into a civil partnership
Changing your name following marriage
For women
Please refer to the section which describes the type of name change you are trying to achieve:
Adopting your husband’s surname
If you simply wish to adopt your husband’s surname and cease using your maiden name you can do this by writing to everyone that holds your personal records to inform them that following your marriage you are assuming your husband’s surname. You will need to include your marriage certificate with the letter as documentary evidence.
A deed poll is NOT required in order to achieve this kind of name change.
Double-barrelling your surname with your husband’s
If you wish to double-barrel your surname with that of your husband’s (e.g. Sarah Anne JONES, marrying John SMITH, becomes Sarah Anne JONES-SMITH or Sarah Ann SMITH-JONES).
While government departments and some companies will accept your marriage certificate as evidence of your name change, many will not. The only way to ascertain whether you will be able to get all of your documents and records updated is to contact each organisation and find out what their policy is on the matter.
Adding your maiden name as a middle name and adopting your husband’s surname
If you wish to maintain a link to your maiden name but would rather not double-barrel, you can do this by adding your maiden name as a middle name and taking your husband’s surname. Using the example above Sarah Ann JONES, marrying John SMITH, would become Sarah Ann Jones SMITH.
For men
Unfortunately there is not yet gender equality in terms of choosing to change your name following marriage if you are male. Therefore, if you want to make any sort of change, whether adopting your wife’s surname, double-barrelling or adding your current surname as a middle name while assuming your wife’s surname, you will almost certainly need a deed poll.
A deed poll WILL be required in order to achieve this kind of name change.