How to Change Your Name After a Divorce in the UK

A Deed Poll is just one of the ways you can change your name in the U.K.

Changing your name after a divorce in the United Kingdom is a relatively simple process that does not involve a lot of legalities. After a divorce, you may officially revert to your maiden name by using one of several methods recognized by U.K. government agencies and financial institutions.

Instructions

1. Use your divorce and marriage certificates. If you wish to drop your married name, these two documents go hand-in-hand and may be sufficient. Many U.K. companies accept a marriage certificate accompanied by a divorce certificate (also known as an absolute decree) as documentary evidence of a name change. But it is important to note that not all U.K. companies regard these documents as acceptable evidence to use in changing your name. Financial organizations, particularly banks, credit card companies and building societies usually do not accept a divorce certificate.

2. Change your name by Deed Poll. In cases where your absolute decree and marriage certificates are not sufficient to change your name, you will need a Deed of Change of Name document, commonly known in the U.K. as a Deed Poll. Changing your name by Deed Poll is very simple and there are no legal restrictions on what name you can change to or how often. A Deed Poll can be obtained from one of many U.K. websites that specialize in Deed Poll services. However, in order to legalize a Deed Poll, you will need to sign it in the presence of an attorney, who will also be able to certify it for you.

3. Inform companies of your name change. Once you have legally changed your name, either by Deed Poll or by using your divorce and marriage certificates, you will need to write to all companies and organizations that have you on record and inform them of your new name. Depending on how many companies there are to contact, it may take you a long time; you will need to send the original documents and wait for them to be returned to you before you can send them on to the next company. If you are using your marriage and divorce certificates to change your name with a company you did business with before you were married, you may only need to send the divorce certificate because it is likely that the company will already have your maiden name in its database.

References

• UK Deed Poll Service: A Woman's Name Change Rights Upon Divorce
• United Kingdom Name Change Service