Divorced - change back to maiden name?

Do what makes you happy

‘ I think you settle into your married name over the years ‘

I never have in 47 years of a perfectly good marriage.

All those years ago it was mostly expected that a woman would change her surname. I certainly wouldn’t nowadays.
Mrs ••••• is my MIL not me. Also my maiden name was much nicer.

When I separated from my first husband I changed back to my maiden name straight away.

When I divorced I changed my name to a completely new one, but one which reflects my Scottish roots. It was quite simple to do, a form to fill in, letters to the relevant offices and I had a new identity.

PaperMonster

You don’t need to change your name by Deed Poll. Your married name is just a courtesy, it’s not a legally changed name. So you don’t need to to a Deed Poll to revert to your maiden name. You can just change all your documents as and when.

I’m afraid that won’t do. Officialdom (banks, pension providers, DWP, Land Registry and the Probate Registry etc) will insist on seeing a Deed Poll.

GSM Officialdom (banks, pension providers, DWP, Land Registry and the Probate Registry etc) will insist on seeing a Deed Poll.

I didn't have to have a Deed Poll because I reverted to my maiden name and had my Birth Certificate to prove it. I was told I only needed a Deed Poll if I decided on a completely different name.

Me neither Sparklefizz I started using my maiden name when I started a college course the September after my son had left school. He kept his which was fine by me.
I had been divorced for 10 years but I didn’t have a passport, driving licence or bank account at the time so quite simple really, Just my original birth certificate and an added Ms …I never wanted to be a Miss😉 anyway. Oh don’t forget GP surgery or anything medical related.

I just went back to maiden name. Told everyone, didn't need deed poll. Only one pension insisted that they wouldn't change so I just waited until I retired and moved it.

You need a Deed Poll document to change your name on your passport. My name had been double barrelled maiden name/married name, I just dropped the married bit but they still insisted on a Deed Poll document. Easy to do but just inconvenient.

Redhead56

When I separated from my first husband I changed back to my maiden name straight away.

Me too. It wasn’t much of a faff although I had to pay to change passport

I wanted to change back to my maiden name when I got divorced but then I realised that keeping my married name meant I would have the same surname as my three sons and five grandchildren so I have kept it.

I changed back to my maiden name after remarrying. I call myself Mrs MaidenName just to confuse everyone. My in-laws call me Mrs HusbandsName and that's fine, I'm not interested in having a fight. But legally I am now back with my maiden name.

I cobble together a form of words using the gov.uk website, headed it up "Deed of Change of Name", printed out 10 copies, signed it in both my former and current name, and got it witnessed by a couple of co-workers. No lawyers involved, no publishing in the London Gazette either.

It's been accepted by everyone; DVLA, Passport Office, banks, building societies, the lot. The only quibble came at one bank where the girl I spoke to said that it needed to have a solicitor's stamp, I said no it didn't, she said "but then anyone could do it!", I said "Yes, they can!", she went and conferred with a superior, came back, and said it was okay.

Just send a copy off with any change of name documents, it will normally be sent back.

I’ve been married twice and I’ve never used either husband’s names. I’ve never understood the custom. I’ve had women say to me ‘but don’t you want to be called Mrs Whatever?’ or ‘ aren’t you worried that people will think you’re single?’ Honestly, that’s just so daft.
We did observe custom by giving our sons my husband surname, but my name is one of their middle names. It was just too long to double barrel, but I didn’t want to lose it.

I didn’t change straight back to my maiden name as thought my children might think it was good enough for them but not for me. I never wanted to change it anyway but moving after marriage up to the far north of England made it impossible.
I finally changed it back about 6 years ago and really really wish now that I’d done it immediately; my now adult children have said that it made no difference whatsoever to them what I was called.
But when I showed my new passport to my dad he said “There’ll be two Mrs H’s now!”. I replied that I was a Ms not a Mrs but my mother addressed everything to me as Mrs until the day she died.

Sparklefizz

GSM Officialdom (banks, pension providers, DWP, Land Registry and the Probate Registry etc) will insist on seeing a Deed Poll.

I didn't have to have a Deed Poll because I reverted to my maiden name and had my Birth Certificate to prove it. I was told I only needed a Deed Poll if I decided on a completely different name.

This was the case when I went back to my maiden name. I filled in a change of name form (not a deed poll), which stated that I was returning to my maiden name. I got it witnessed and provided it with a copy of my birth certificate. My bank, and all the relevant government departments accepted it with no issues. I only had problems with one store account when a snotty little know all told me it was illegal. They were the losers as I just closed the account with them!

I changed back to my maiden name after my divorce. Paid £49 by deed poll well worth the money made it official on my birthday seemed fitting the day after my decree absolute ...

I regretted taking my first husband’s name within weeks. I left him 11 years later and reverted to my maiden name, using the legal deed poll document.
I married again but kept my own name. Our children have both our names but not double barrelled

I reverted back to my maiden name in my twenties also changed sons' names to my name. Now my grand children and great granddaughter all share the same name! Also, my second husband took my name too. If hadn't my family name would have died out.

Soon as I was divorced I went straight back to my maiden name. I’m an only child and wanted to keep my dear dad’s name going. It was little bit awkward for the children obviously as they had different surname than there mum.

When I was divorced I had young children I did not revert to my maiden name as this would've made life rather complicated when dealing with legal stuff. So I've kept it. I did remarry, 12 yrs later and at the kids request, kept the name and tagged hubby nunbers two's name on the end.
It worked. Now gave a jaw breaker but unique surname, kids tho, very happy. And that was important.

You don’t need a Deed Poll to change back to your maiden name.
I changed mine back with no question 16 years ago.

Ps. My son changed his surname by Deed Poll to my maiden name, aged 19. So my son and grandchildren all now have my fathers surname, my maiden name.
It was his choice.

germanshepherdsmum I changed back with no issue. I had expected to have to do a deed poll, but the solicitor advised otherwise. The only place that wanted something was my mortgage provider and as part of the process of removing my ex from the mortgage, my name was also changed via the solicitor.

Do what makes you happy. I kept my married name to be same as my kids,same age as yours! Had it too long now and I like my married name....your choice, do what's right for you.

Sparklefizz

GSM Officialdom (banks, pension providers, DWP, Land Registry and the Probate Registry etc) will insist on seeing a Deed Poll.

I didn't have to have a Deed Poll because I reverted to my maiden name and had my Birth Certificate to prove it. I was told I only needed a Deed Poll if I decided on a completely different name.

I didn't need a deed poll either, so maybe it is easier if reverting back to one's maiden name. I changed my name to my maiden name for my passport as starters, and then used my passport as an identifier when changing my name for banks, land registry etc. I did keep my divorce papers handy, but I don't recall ever having to produce them