2. Name change options that may or will need a Deed Poll

More and more women are deciding against giving up their surname for their husband's surname on marriage. Instead they opt to maintain a link to their family name by including it into their new married surname.

The options available are -

 

2.1  To double-barrel your surnames

A double-barrelled surname uses both surnames and can either be linked by a hyphen or kept separate e.g. Smith-Jones or Smith Jones.

You can place the names in any order, although some people prefer to place the man's surname last. However most couples simply go with whichever combination sounds best when spoken aloud.

If you do decide to double-barrel your surnames, then a Deed Poll is often required. Some organisations like government departments and other bodies will accept a marriage certificate as documentary evidence of the double-barrelled name change.

Others however, and in particular financial institutions, will need to see a Deed Poll. The good thing about a Deed Poll is that it guarantees that your new double-barrelled surname will be accepted by everyone, without question.

The only way to find out if you need a Deed Poll to get your non-government documents and records changed is to contact organisations individually to ask what their policy is on changing your surname to a double-barrelled surname upon marriage.

 

2.2  A further option if you plan to double-barrel your surnames

If you do find you need a Deed Poll to double-barrel your name on marriage then both you and your husband-to-be will need to apply for a separate Deed Poll. However there is way to avoid this and go ahead with the name change using a single Deed Poll.

If the husband changes his surname by Deed Poll before the marriage takes place then, upon marriage, the wife simply takes his surname in the usual way. This is because his new double-barrelled surname will be on the marriage certificate, just like any other surname.

However if you plan to change your name in this way, you will need to allow for sufficient time to change all the documents you will be taking on honeymoon. Your passport, driving licence, travel documents, credit card, etc will all need to be in the new name – and to get this done you will need to have a Deed Poll.

Because you are strongly advised not to travel overseas carrying documents in different names, we suggest you apply for your Deed Poll at least three months before your wedding. This way you allow sufficient time to get everything changed before you leave on honeymoon.

Your marriage notice will also need to be amended to the new double-barrelled surname. So it’s important to notify your minister or registrar that you have changed your surname by Deed Poll to this can be done in time.

 

2.3  Making your maiden name a middle name

Although many women are happy to take their husband's surname on marriage, some don’t like the idea of completely abandoning their family name.

If you’d rather not double-barrel your surnames, then you could consider keeping your maiden name as a middle name. For example, if Sarah Ann WILLIAMS marries Michael JOHNSON, the new name will be Sarah Ann Williams JOHNSON. 

Some husbands opt to take their wife’s surname as a middle name, too. Using the example above, the husband would change his name to Michael Williams JOHNSON. 

Either of these options will require a Deed Poll.

 

2.4  ‘Meshing’ (or combining) your surnames

‘Meshing’ a surname is when you take elements of each surname and combine to create a brand new surname. (For example, if Sarah THOMPSON marries Michael SIMMONS, they might mesh their surnames to become Sarah and Michael SIMMSON or THOMONS.)

Because you will both need to apply for a Deed Poll, you could also consider adding your original surnames as middle names, thereby maintaining a link with your original family names. (For example, Sarah THOMPSON would become Sarah Thompson SIMMSON.)

 

2.5  If your marriage certificate is not in English

If your marriage certificate isn’t in English because you married in a non English speaking country, you will need to provide record holders with either an official translation of your marriage certificate or a Deed Poll (which tends to be cheaper than an official translation).

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Sections in this article
Click on the links below to view each section of this article.

1.     Name change options that do not need a Deed Poll
2.     Name change options that may or will need a Deed Poll
3.     When to apply for your Deed Poll
4.     Changing your title to ‘Mrs’
5.     Making other changes to your name
6.     Continuing to use your maiden name for work or professional purposes

This page was last checked today by Amanda Dawson, Senior Deed Poll Officer.