Many newlyweds in the UK choose to adopt one partner’s surname, but a growing number are opting for a double-barrelled name. This can be a wonderful way to honour both your families and create a new, shared identity. But how exactly do you go about it? Is it a complicated process? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about double-barrelling your name after marriage in the UK, making it straightforward and worry-free.
Understanding Your Marriage Certificate
The great news is that in the UK, your marriage certificate is your key document for changing your name to a double-barrelled surname. You don't usually need a Deed Poll if one or both of you are adopting a new surname made up of your existing surnames, joined with or without a hyphen. For example, if you are Jane Smith and John Jones, you can simply choose to become Jane Smith-Jones (or Jones-Smith) and John Smith-Jones (or Jones-Smith), or any combination thereof, or just one of you can change. The important thing is that the names you're combining are already on your marriage certificate.
If you wish to create an entirely new surname that isn’t a combination of your current ones, or to add a hyphen to a name that wasn't previously hyphenated on your marriage certificate, you would then need a Deed Poll. However, for most double-barrelling scenarios using existing surnames, your marriage certificate is sufficient.
Order of Operations: Where to Start Your Name Change Journey
Once you have your marriage certificate in hand, the change can begin. It's often recommended to update your passport first, as this is a universally accepted form of identification and makes updating other accounts much smoother. After your passport, your driving licence should be next on the list. These two documents will serve as primary proof of your new double-barrelled name.
- HM Passport Office: Apply for a new passport in your double-barrelled name. You'll need your marriage certificate as proof.
- DVLA: Update your driving licence. This is usually free and can often be done online or via post.
- Your Bank Accounts: Contact your bank(s) to update your name on your current accounts, savings, and any joint accounts.
- HMRC: Inform HM Revenue & Customs of your new name for tax and National Insurance purposes.
- Employers & Pensions: Let your employer know and update your workplace pension scheme details.
- Utilities & Bills: Notify gas, electricity, water, and broadband providers.
- NHS & GP: Update your details with your doctor’s surgery and any hospital records.
Remember to update all your key documents and accounts consistently with your new double-barrelled surname to avoid any discrepancies.
Practicalities and Proofs of Name Change
When you contact organisations to change your name, they will almost always ask for proof. Your original marriage certificate is the primary document required for most changes. It’s always a good idea to have several certified copies or high-quality photocopies of your marriage certificate ready, as some organisations may need to keep a copy for their records, or you might need to send it off to a few places at the same time.
Once updated, your new passport and driving licence will also become key pieces of identification for subsequent name changes, making the process much easier for other accounts like loyalty cards, insurance policies, and professional memberships.
Things to Consider Before Double-Barrelling
While double-barrelling offers a lovely way to combine identities, it’s worth thinking about a few practical points. Consider how your new surname will look and sound with your first name, how it might fit on forms, and how long it might be. Some people prefer a hyphen, while others opt for no hyphen, simply using both surnames side-by-side. Both are perfectly valid choices, and your marriage certificate supports either.
Also, discuss with your partner whether you both plan to adopt the double-barrelled surname, or if it will just be one of you. There’s no right or wrong answer, just what feels right for your new chapter together.