Legal Things to do After Getting Married in the UK: Guide to Changing Your Name after Marriage or Civil Partnership

NameSwitch is here to break it down and help you through the next phase of newlywed life: specifically, the marriage name change process.

If changing your name post-marriage is on your to-do list here are a few things to consider:

• Will you take your partner’s surname?
• Would you prefer to keep your family name and opt for a double-barrelled surname?
• Is using your maiden name as a middle name right for you?
• Could creating a whole new surname (meshing) be your style?
• Maybe keeping your maiden name professionally and using your married name in your personal life feels right?
• Or perhaps you’re happy to use your maiden name - keeping things just as they are?

Remember, there is no right or wrong decision here. Do what feels right for you. Stay with us to explore some commonly asked questions.

Does your Name Automatically Change After Marriage or Civil Partnership in the UK?

This is a question that we get asked a lot. The answer is simple: No, your name does not automatically change upon marriage. And you don’t need to change your name following your marriage. However, if you decide a change of name is right for you, here is what you need to do to legally change your name in the UK.

1st: Choose Your Name Your name is a huge part of your identity, so take the time to decide what feels right for you.

2nd: Gather Your Documents To change your name in the UK, you will need your original marriage or civil partnership certificate, a decree absolute (in the case of divorce) or a deed poll as evidence of your change of name. To learn more about when you need a deed poll to change your name, check out our helpful UK Deed Poll Guide.

3rd: Make Copies Some companies and governing bodies will accept a simple copy of your legal document, while others will require a certified copy of your marriage certificate as documentary evidence. We recommend you have a few of each on hand.

4th: Make a Plan: Timelines to Consider Before Changing Your Name The average person will notify over 24 organisations and government bodies of a name change. It’s a good idea to plan ahead: consider lead times, travel plans, important dates or events as it can take some time to process a name change. We recommend prioritising at least one form of formal ID such as your passport or driving licence.

5th: Have Envelopes and Stamps Ready While many name-change requests can be done online or in-person, there are still some that require documentation via post, so you may need to send off some requests the old-fashioned way.

6th: Get Started Once you have everything in place, it’s time to start sending off your requests. OR, if you want to seriously simplify the process, this is where NameSwitch can help!

NameSwitch has created the UK’s first and only award-winning name change toolkit to help you through the name change process with ease, speed and peace of mind. We have done the legwork for you, so you don’t have to!

Do You Need to Change Your Surname After Getting Married?

It is 100% up to you whether you chose to change your name or not. This is a big decision that should feel right for you personally. There is no legal requirement to change your name in the UK and equally, if you decide down the road, that you’d like to change your name, you certainly can - there is no time-limit.

If you’re torn between choosing your maiden and married name, why not use both! You always have the option to keep your maiden name at work and use your married name in your personal life. Learn more in our Best of Both Worlds blog post.

How to Change Your Title After Marriage or Civil Partnership

We have good news! If you want to change your title after you wed, there is nothing you need to do legally. If you wish to change your title to Mrs from Miss right away, you absolutely can! You do not need evidence of a name change or need to provide any details to start using a new title.

Checklist for Changing Name After Marriage

From governing bodies and local authorities to service and healthcare providers, the average name changer will end up notifying more than 24 organisations! NameSwitch has created a free downloadable name change checklist to help. Here are just a few organisations you will need to inform:

• DVLA
• HM Passport Office (How to update your passport in your new name)
• HM Revenue, Customs & Local Authority
• Banks, Mortgage Providers, Land Registry & Lenders
• Health Services (NHS)
• Insurance, Utility, Pension Providers
• Mobile & Broadband Providers
• Credit card, Subscriptions, and Social Media

There are few other things to keep in mind if you want to change your name, such as creating or updating your will after you tie the knot. Our trusted partners at Octopus Legacy, a leading estate planner, are experts in helping you create your legacy.

Now, this might seem like a tedious and overwhelming task, but NameSwitch is here to make your name change journey super-simple. Not only will we equip you with pre-populated letters, forms, online options and personalised instructions, but our system is able to detect your local council tax and electoral register office and special nuances based on your name change purpose.

Our specialist team, personally checks each and every order and we will contact you directly if we spot any errors, have any questions, or think you may have missed some key organisations from your list. Bottom line – we have you covered!

Name Change Special Considerations: Cultural & Personal

We are all unique and so are the reasons behind our name change decisions. We may be influenced by family traditions, cultural norms, religious heritage or simply our own personal preferences.

For example, some may choose to add Kaur as a surname or middle name to honour Sikh tradition, whilst others may opt keep their maiden name or take a husband’s name for religious reasons or a country’s legal requirements. Some cultures use gendered endings (Pavelka or Pavelkova) and others have specific naming laws following marriage which are influenced by tradition. If you are a non-UK national or dual citizen a wealth of helpful information on changing your name can be found here.

Same sex marriage name change traditions are just as flexible and nuanced. And as with any decision, it’s most important to do what feels right for you. Some couples choose to adopt one partner’s surname, some opt for a double barrelled name, while others may look to get creative to create a new surname. As always, there is no legal requirement to change your name, there is no time limit to do so, and the legal process is the same, if you chose to.

NameSwitch & How to Change Your Name After Marriage UK

If you have decided that changing your surname after getting married or entering a civil partnership is right for you, NameSwitch will make it super-easy to start using your new legal name! From our post marriage name change checklist to our award winning name change toolkit, we will guide you through our 3-step stress-free and straightforward process for changing your name. You’ll be out with your old name and in with the new in no time!