Changing your name

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Can you imagine trying to decide which of you is going to give up your name? There is absolutely no legal reason for anyone, whether in a gay or straight relationship to give up their name, although convention dictates that in a straight marriage the bride will take the groom’s surname on marriage.

Some couples choose to “double-barrel” their names, particularly if there are going to be children taking the surname either now or in the future, but most find it easier and more logical to keep the surname they grew up with.

If you are intending to change your name, and are planning to go on honeymoon immediately after the commitment ceremony, which name do you make the booking in?

While it is nice to take on your new identity from the moment you sign the schedule, that is not necessarily practical when it comes to ensuring a hassle-free honeymoon.

In theory, as long as you have your birth certificate, your passport, and a copy of your civil partnership schedule you can prove who you are, even if the name on the passport (assuming it is not yet updated with your new name) does not match the name on the ticket.

That, however, is only the theory. Our advice is to ensure that your credit cards, passport and any other documentation needed for travel all have the same name – and save yourself a lot of unnecessary stress at check in.

After your civil partnership, you will legally be known as “civil partners”. If one of you wishes to change your name, then you will need to make arrangements to do this by change of deed poll. The Citizens Advice Bureau offers help and information regarding this service.

You’ll need to change your name with:
Employer
Inland Revenue
Department of health and social security
Doctor
Dentist
DVLC
Passport office
Bank
Building society
Credit card and store charge card companies
Finance/loan companies
Premium bond office
Investment companies
Mobile phone provider
Pension provider
Insurance companies
Motoring organisations/AA OR RAC
Professional institutes and bodies
Clubs/societies/associations
Solicitor – check implications on your will

You may not change your name:

in order to commit an illegal act like fraud
to something that is rude or offensive
to imply or include a title such as Lord, Lady, Duke or Duchess
to something that includes symbols or numbers.

Before you change your name you should check that your name change will be accepted by the following people:

your employer any institute or professional body that you are a member of.
your country of origin, if you are a foreign national living in the UK
the relevant authorities of the country you are living in, if you are a UK national living overseas.

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Changing your name