Newly-Weds Exchanging Vows, What About Your Name?

By Sally Beaumont, April 2008.

The question about whether or not to change name after marriage is one that many brides-to-be, and increasingly nowadays, grooms-to-be, wrestle with for months before the 'Big Day'.

Then there's the puzzling over what's involved, who should be notified and what the options are. But with the UK's leading online name change experts The Legal Deed Service, can guide and explain what's what, and help take the strain out of changing your name.A frequent question from many brides-to-be is: "Will I have to change my name when I marry?"

The short and simple answer is no, there is no legal requirement for you or your partner to change your name when you marry. It is purely a matter of personal choice. However, it is traditional for the bride to take her husband's surname in place of her own after marriage and in the UK around 85% of women still choose to take this option.

However, Jamie Jackson, Chief Executive and founder of The Legal Deed Service says: "If you don't want to go down the traditional route and take your husband's surname in place of your own, there are several increasingly popular alternatives. You can continue to use your maiden name if you wish, but if you want an option that allows you to keep your family identity whilst demonstrating a clear link to your husband, there are ways of having the best of both worlds.

For example, you could consider hyphenating (double-barrel) your surname with your husband's surname. This is becoming increasingly popular, and the groom often hyphenates his name too so that both partners share the same double-barrelled name. The husband's surname is often shown last, so sticking with the Brad Pitt example your name would be Smith-Pitt. The decision on which name to use first or second is often down to which way around the new surname sounds the best."

Mr Jackson goes on to say: "Another option is to consider using your maiden name as a middle name. For example, you could change your name to Mrs. Jane Smith Pitt. You would be known in every day life as Mrs. Jane Pitt but your family name of Smith would still be there on all your personal documents, passport etc."

Whatever your reasons for considering changing your name The Legal Deed Service ensures that the process is both quick and great value. In only four swift steps, and with the fee starting at only £10 for a standard adult deed poll change, you will have official proof of your new name delivered to your inbox in only three hours with the printed deed poll sent to you within 24 hours.

The reasons behind these name changes are as varied as the names themselves. No longer is it just the domain of the new bride changing her name to her husband's; people are now changing their names for charity, for sponsorship deals, after changing their gender, or simply for fun. With the process now simpler, cheaper and faster than ever before, a new name is only four steps away.

Text: © 2008, 2009, The Legal Deed Service Ltd.

This page was last updated: 28th April 2009