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Who to Notify and How
Assuming you take your husband’s name, your marriage certificate and a letter stating that you now wish to be known as your new surname is all that is required by most organisations.
Government departments, banks and building societies will usually wish to see the original copy whilst others will accept photocopies. To prevent any unnecessary delays, make sure you include details of any account numbers or reference numbers.
If you have changed your name by Deed Poll, organisations will want to see the original Deed Poll document instead of your marriage certificate.
If you decide to change your name, you will need to notify a large number of organisations and companies. The average person notifies 35 organisations of their change of name. Trying to remember every organisation that has your surname is no mean feat. If you can’t remember them, chances are they’re not that important. The odd letter or email will remind you if you have forgotten one off the list. There are however a few key organisations you must remember to tell such as the DVLA and the Identity & Passport Service.
To help you with your admin, we have put together a list of organisations you need to advise of your change of name (key organisations are in bold).
- DVLA – for Licence and Vehicle Registrations
- Identity & Passport Office
- HMR&C (your employer can give you details of your tax office)
- National Insurance Contributions Office
- Local Authority - for Council Tax and Register of Electors
- HM Land Registry – if you own land or property
- Bank and Building Societies
- Credit Card companies
- Finance/Loan and store card companies
- Utilities – Phone, mobile, Internet, Gas, Electricity, Water and TV
- Mortgage company/Landlord
- Motoring organisations such as AA or RAC.
- Insurance companies – Contents, Building, Life, Medical and Car
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Optician
- Employer
- Any companies you hold shares in or investment companies
- Pension
- Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) if you are on benefit
- School/college/university
- Police (if you have any criminal actions against you or are on the sex offenders register)
- Professional institutes and Bodies
- Student Loan company
- Vets
- Magazine subscriptions and mail order companies
- Any other organisation you belong to
If you already have a will, make sure you update it to reflect your change of name and marital status and update it where necessary.
nofreetime tip
- If you’re organised before you get married ask the registrar or minister whether they can give you multiple copies of the original marriage certificate.
- If not - make a number of copies of your original document (marriage certificate or Deed Poll document). This will allow you to notify a number of organisations at once – unless the original is required.