According to tradition, a woman takes on the man’s last name after a heterosexual marriage. These days, we have more evolved views on the role of women in our society and it’s not uncommon for women to choose a double-barrel surname or refuse to change her last name altogether. Other than the traditional implications, why should you have to assume a man’s name? However, if you wanted a traditional wedding, that’s entirely up to you, but you may regret the name change now that you have split up, and that’s okay. There are ways to recover your maiden name.
No-one goes into a marriage thinking that they’re going to fail as a couple. Unfortunately, divorce is exceptionally common in the UK, so entertaining the possibility that you might break-up may not be romantic, but statistically, it’s realistic. Even so, many women take on their husband’s surname with no thought of how they’ll feel about this, if the marriage deteriorates.
After a divorce, retaining his last name can be a daily reminder of the relationship that fell apart. You may want to return to your maiden name, but you’re not sure how. It’s best to start this process as soon as you’ve decided to divorce. This will save you a lot of time and will make for a smooth transition from a married status to single life.
Divorcing
File a name-changing order when you apply for a divorce. Legal proceedings will obviously differ depending on where you live, but generally, this is the best way to get your name changed quickly. Speak to the clerk of courts and let him or her know that you want to return to your maiden name upon completion of the proceedings.
In court, let the judge know that you wish to change your name – he or she will probably ask you anyway. This way, there will be a formal order established by an official, and you can use this later when attempting to change your personal details at no extra cost. Check out www.switalskisfamilylaw.co.uk for more information on how you can go about this.
Update Your Documents
As soon as your divorce is finalised, you should update your official documents and identification as soon as possible, otherwise things are going to be awkward for you. Request name changes to your Social Security information and passport. From here, you should start contacting your bank, insurance companies, and creditors to make them aware that you’ve changed your name. You may have to provide documented proof, when it comes to some agencies, so make copies of your name-changing order and your divorce certificate.
When Should You Start Using Your New Name?
As soon as your name has been 100% approved by the government, you should start using this name. Your new forms of identification will appear within a number of weeks. After this, you can enjoy your brand new life and look forward to new beginnings.
