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May 2012. I divorced a few years ago but never bothered to change my name but now only a few months away from graduating university I received a letter from them asking for my full name and what order I wanted my subjects to go (I am doing a joint degree) I would like to graduate usin...
Mandy, Bilston, Wolverhampton.
6. Continuing to use your maiden name for work or professional purposes
Legally, you can continue to use your maiden name for work or professional purposes (with the permission of your employer). Often there are clear benefits in doing so, especially when you have an established reputation and are well known to your clients.
Indeed, in some cases, a change of name at work could be commercially detrimental and your employer may hope you will continue to use your maiden name.
If you’ve read through these articles you’ll have seen that, when you change your name by Deed Poll, you are declaring that you are using your new name for all purposes.
However if you change your name by Deed Poll yet continue to use your maiden name for work or professional purposes, you are not actually in breach of this declaration. This is because at work, legally, you are acting on behalf of your employer and not in your own name.
But what happens if you’re self-employed and wish to continue to trade in your maiden name?
Legally you can do this, however you will need to indicate that you will be known as [New Name] trading as [Former Name]. (For example, Susan JONES trading as Susan BROWN.)
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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.