Name Changes for Life Events

Marriage, divorce, bereavement, new beginnings.

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People change their names for all sorts of reasons. Marriage is the most common, but divorce, bereavement, adoption, moving to the UK, and simply wanting a fresh start all bring their own questions. These guides cover when a deed poll is the right tool, when another document (such as a marriage certificate) does the job instead, and what to expect whichever route applies to you.

Change Your Name by Choice You don't need a reason. In the UK, you can choose any name you like. → Changing Back to Your Maiden Name Sometimes you need a deed poll, sometimes you don't. Here is how to tell. → Changing Your Child's Surname After You Remarry Taking a step-parent's surname, double-barrelling, or going back to yours. Here is what you need. → Changing Your Name After Adoption in the UK An adoption certificate covers the registration; a deed poll handles everything else. → Changing Your Name After Bereavement Taking a late partner's name, or honouring them in a new name: a deed poll makes it legal. → Changing Your Name After Divorce Reclaim your name after a divorce, or choose something completely new. → Changing Your Name After Marriage When your marriage certificate is enough, and when you need a deed poll. → Changing Your Name During Separation You don't need to wait for the divorce to be finalised. A deed poll works now. → Changing Your Name for Safety: Harassment and Stalking A deed poll lets you take a new name quickly and privately, without a public record. → Creating a Double-Barrelled Surname in the UK Combine two surnames into one using a deed poll, with or without a hyphen. → Hyphenating Your Surname After Marriage A marriage certificate won't give you a hyphenated name, but a deed poll will. → Name Change After British Naturalisation Naturalising as a British citizen? Here's how to get your chosen name on your British passport. → Name Change After Civil Partnership Dissolution The dissolution order covers a reversion to your previous name. A deed poll covers everything else. → Name Change After Remarriage A new marriage certificate covers the simple case. Here is when you need a deed poll. → Name Change After a Civil Partnership A civil partnership certificate covers some changes. A deed poll covers everything else. → Name Change for Foreign Nationals Living in the UK A deed poll works for you too. Here is what it changes, and what it does not. → Taking Your Partner's Surname Without Getting Married You don't need to be married to share a surname. A deed poll handles it legally. → Taking Your Wife's Surname as a Man There is no law that says a husband must keep his surname. Here's how to change it. →

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Changing your name can invalidate an existing will. If you have a will written in your old name, it may become unclear or unenforceable after your deed poll. Our sister service PureWill makes it quick and easy to write a new, legally valid will online.

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