Changing my name at 68

I changed my name in my fifties to my mum’s surname. My original name was my dad’s and I grew to intensely dislike him before he died because of things I found out about him. It was also a name that I either had to spell out to people or it was mispronounced. I have never looked back and so glad I did it.

I'd love to go back to my birth name but all those needed to be notified scares me!!!

I've got the best of both worlds. I used my married name for legal/formal matters but revert to my maiden name as a pen name and for social media and activities related to my writing/speaking life.

I was unusual - I never took a married name in either marriage.
In fact my son, product of the "alternative" lifestyle I lived in the 70's bears my name, (we weren't married till he was 11)

with my then DH's name as a middle one, with the instructions to go ahead and change it if he wished, but he is now married and his wife wanted to take his name....

Just go for it! You don’t need to do Deed Poll - you only take a married name as a courtesy, so it doesn’t need a legal change. Just gradually start contacting all the places you need to notify. I changed my name back when I divorced and won’t change it again.

Go for it, it sounds lovely, a reclamation of part of your identity.

I once counted up the people I’d need to inform and when I got to 30+ which included pension providers, car tax and DVLA, land registry, utilities, banks, solicitor, local council, mobile phone, all my online purchase companies doctors,hospital the list grew and grew. I wish I had the patience. Well done those that have.

My DD1 changed back to her birth name a few years ago She was divorced and kept her married name until her son was 18. She said it was straightforward.

If you are changing back to the surname that is on your birth certificate, it's really easy. I changed mine. All I had to do was type a letter for all concerned (bank, building society, doctor, etc) saying that I now wished to be known by my maiden name, and showing my birth certificate.

Yes I changed my name by deedpoll and found it very simple
I just had to alert all professional bodies ie bank, utilities etc and that was it, I never looked back I don’t remember there being any faff at all

I’ve wanted to go back to my birth name since my husband died it’s just the faff of changing every single thing stops me doing it. If you have the patience then do it. I just can’t be bothered.