Legally changing your name back to Maiden name

Hi there

Could someone tell me whether I have to change my name by Deed Poll to go back to using my maiden name? Clearly when I got married, all I needed was my marriage certificate if I wanted to change my bank account, driving license, passport etc.

I had naively assumed I could use my Decree Nisi certificate to do the same thing in changing it back to my maiden name, but someone told me that I'd have to change my name by deed poll.

Any views?

I don't think you have to change your name by deed poll back to your maiden name. That is your legal name from your birth certificate.

I never changed my name when I married so did not have this problem. You surely have a right to use your maiden name now.

I was told you could use your decree absolute. To revert back to your maiden name.

oooh yeah, that's what I meant. My absolute is through (fingers crossed) on 17th March.
I'll give it a go and see if I come across any barriers.

You don't need to use deed poll to change your name, you can rely upon a change of name deed which can be prepared by your solicitor.

When a woman marries her name changes to the married name even if the maiden name is retained which is why in question 1 on the latest version of the divorce petition you have to state that your name has changed since marriage if you retained the maiden name once married.

If you used a married name during the marriage presumably all documentation will be in that name therefore a document proving change of name should be obtained to change dirving licence, passport etc.

Charles

I did not need to get anything prepared by a solicitor to change back to my maiden name.

I have had both my passports (dual citzenship) changed to my maiden name and all they required was my birth certificate, marraige certificate and a letter stating why I was changing name. They wanted the letter as I have misplaced my Absolute so didn't have it to hand to send off

I have changed all my bank accounts etc in the same way.

Good advice there rosie - you would be a good spy