Changing back to my maiden name...

LegacyUser

Long time poster, but I'd rather do this anon. I'm seperated a year and a half and want to change back to my maiden name on everything - bills, passport (is coming up for renewal, helpfully), register of electors, etc.

I've been searching a lot, but haven't found any hard Irish information on how to go back to using my maiden name. For example, I would assume that getting my passport renewed into my maiden name is difficult if all other identification, barring my birth cert, is with my married name.

Anyone got any ideas, or know anyone with any ideas who you could point this way? I'd be very appreciative of any help.

Pherekydes

Just start using your maiden name again. Simple as that. Regarding passpaort renewal, go through the usual process, but with your maiden name. You have your birth cert; your chosen surname is on that.

CDfm

Yup thats about it really.

Legally you can use whichever you want and it only becomes an issue of you want to assume a name for illegal reasons.

Just write to banks tax office etc and that should be that.

Beruthiel

I just contacted the bank and all other places where I got bills from and told them.

When I was renewing my passport, I just changed back. They will tell you what they need at the time of renewal.

LegacyUser

ye have said about just start to use your maiden name again for day to day use,

but when it comes to kids how would that work,
as i dont want my children been know as the surname they have now

its a big process going through courts as i have to get his permission( which is crap)

CDfm

Unregistered wrote: »

ye have said about just start to use your maiden name again for day to day use,

but when it comes to kids how would that work,
as i dont want my children been know as the surname they have now

its a big process going through courts as i have to get his permission( which is crap)

the kids legal names are on their birth certs- you cant just change kids names when you split up IMO.

mikemac

Unregistered wrote: »

its a big process going through courts as i have to get his permission( which is crap)

Goes by the birth cert.
You can't split with your husband today and change your childs name tomorrow.

There is a process and you are free to follow that

Pherekydes

CDfm wrote: »

the kids legal names are on their birth certs- you cant just change kids names when you split up IMO.

It depends. Children registered before 30/09/1997 do not have their surname entered on their birth cert and are free to use any surname or combination of surnames that appear on their birth certs. Children registered after 30/09/1997 do have their surname entered on their birth cert.

CDfm

Pherekydes wrote: »

It depends. Children registered before 30/09/1997 do not have their surname entered on their birth cert and are free to use any surname or combination of surnames that appear on their birth certs. Children registered after 30/09/1997 do have their surname entered on their birth cert.

i think its a consent issue.

if the children have the name of their biological father and the father is involved or provides for them his concent will be sought for a name change

thats how the uk and i think we are the same

Pherekydes

CDfm wrote: »

i think its a consent issue.

if the children have the name of their biological father and the father is involved or provides for them his concent will be sought for a name change

thats how the uk and i think we are the same

This doesn't contradict my post. You only need to apply for consent if a surname is entered in the 'surname' box on the birth cert, otherwise you can use any surname or combination of surnames that appear on your birth cert. My partner's two daughters have different surnames: one carries her mother's maiden name, which she changed (herself) at 13, and one carries her father's surname.

CDfm

Pherekydes wrote: »

This doesn't contradict my post. You only need to apply for consent if a surname is entered in the 'surname' box on the birth cert, otherwise you can use any surname or combination of surnames that appear on your birth cert. My partner's two daughters have different surnames: one carries her mother's maiden name, which she changed (herself) at 13, and one carries her father's surname.

but there are two issues or more here

the child changing their own name has no legal standing whatsoever and the child wont be able to change their own name legally until they are 18 by deed poll without consent.

The second issue is that the fathers surname is used to denote biological paternity as a cultural & social issue. I feel uncomfortable saying this but if there is doubt as to the paternity in anyones (especially the fathers mind) do you think that at the very least it could influence the fathers bond/attitude to & his extended families of the child and socially reflect on the mother and the child in a not too flattering way.

With my experience of the family courts this could spectacularily backfire !!!!

I would imagine that a judge may even reflect on such issues and draw their own conclusions which would be very conservative.

Is it just me or does anyone else think this opens a huge can of worms?

Nevyn

Well how about you take that huge can of worms to humanities.

OP you need to look at what the legal requirements for changing the names of the children
and you need to talk to the children about it. A name is very important when it comes
to identity and how a child perceives themselves.

Both of my have thier father's surname which is different to mine, one prefers the anglo verision and
the other prefers the Gaelic so having differing surnames in a house hold doesn't have to be a big thing.

But I would have to question your motivation for changing their names,
why do you want to do it ?

LegacyUser

OP here - I didn't ask the question on children's names. We had no children. I was just wondering for my own benefit.

I'm going to start contacting companies that send me bills and ask for my name to change on those, and then see about renewing my passport. Any ideas about changing my name for voting? There really seems to be a total lack of official information on this - I found more about deed polls, but as far as I can see that's for if I want to change my name to Sunshine than the far more common occurance of reverting to a maiden name.

Pherekydes

Contact your local authority. They'll tell you what you need. I'd say all you need is your birth cert and something with your address.

aare

This might seem a bit "left of field" but why not give "Women's Aid" a call?

They must, SURELY deal with whole families changing their names all the time and may be able to give you the benefit of that experience?

CDfm

Unregistered wrote: »

OP here - I didn't ask the question on children's names. We had no children. I was just wondering for my own benefit.

I'm going to start contacting companies that send me bills and ask for my name to change on those, and then see about renewing my passport. Any ideas about changing my name for voting? There really seems to be a total lack of official information on this - I found more about deed polls, but as far as I can see that's for if I want to change my name to Sunshine than the far more common occurance of reverting to a maiden name.

I think its as simple as starting to use your own name again and your passport name can be changed on renewal.

Deed Poll is a legal change of name but in Ireland a woman taking on her husbands name is more tradition than legal.Its an "alias" and you can revive your former name by starting to use it again.

Your big problem is that you will be dealing with stupid people who tell you what they think they know:)

The Utility Companies and Banks will do the change for you by just phoning them. They will change it if you tell them thats what it takes for you to keep paying the bill and will be very helpfull.That should put you in a position to deal with the banks if they demand evidence that you habitually use your maiden name and are reverting to it(presumably your drivers licence is in your unmarried name).

The drivers licence people will probably change it for you if you call in in person and ask them to exchange it.

The Voting Register People will do it if you call in and ask them to change your details on the register.

With your passport I would wait for the renewal - but as Garda stations check passport applications and you may find them helpful with that one.

It should not be that difficult really -merely time consuming- as you never legally changed your name legally to begin with.

LegacyUser

Hi OP, I am separated too and just got legal advice on this name change thing...my solicitor
tells me that legally the name you were born with,on your birth cert IS your legal name.
She says just tell everyone that's the name you are using from now on...there is no deed poll needed.
I have let everyone know,but I am leaving my passport in married name as I have kids and it might complicate travel..but according to the other posters that is just a matter of informing them at renewal time.
Hope that helps.