Changing your name

corasam

Hello,

Anyone been through the process of changing their name after marraige, I've heard it can be a pain but have no idea what I need to do?

Thanks

smelltheglove

I thought it was handy enough, the bank just needed to copy my marriage cert, I included my marriage cert with my passport application as mine had to be replaced and I rang one of the government offices to change it although I cannot recall which one, I think I just did it when I transferred my tax free allowance. I didnt spend days going about it, just when I needed to do something I brought along the cert, i.e. I made a lodgement in the bank and then visited the customer service counter, easy peesy.

katetehblue

smelltheglove wrote: »

I included my marriage cert with my passport application as mine had to be replaced

How long after getting married do you need to have passports/driver's licenses and all that good stuff changed over to your married name?

smelltheglove

I dont think you have to change them at all to be honest. My passport was stolen on honeymoon (I know bad luck) so I just replaced it when I needed it a year later.

Each of the things I changed, I changed as and when needed, when I went to the doctor I gave my new name, when I went to the bank I gave my new name, when I transferred over my tax credits, I gave my new name. Simple as really. You're not changing your identity, you could decide ok on Friday I am going to change my name everywhere and you just call releveant places and ask them to change your name on records etc but thats pretty much it really, unless I have done it wrong:o

corasam

Thanks for your advice. I'm worried it could be more complicated eg if i change my name at bank before getting new passport will i have problems booking flights - payment details and passport not matching up?

also, i found something online that said a driving license will be re-issued at no charge in your new name, but do I have to fork out 80e for new passport? if so I may wait another 9 years until it expires!

smelltheglove

Not sure about the charge for passport to be honest, I havent changed my license as it hasnt expired, never had any problems using it as id even though surname is different to be honest. I had to pay for a replacement passport as mine was stolen but I'd guess that it would be charged. Payment wise never had a bother with name on credit card being different either. I cancelled my card now so dont need to worry about that anymore anyway!

taram

corasam wrote: »

Thanks for your advice. I'm worried it could be more complicated eg if i change my name at bank before getting new passport will i have problems booking flights - payment details and passport not matching up?

I often book flights for elderly relatives to visit my family using my card, never ever a problem, and that's with a number of different carriers. Only thing that might catch you out is if you listed the person flying as Ms. X and your passport says Mrs. Y.

tatli_lokma

taram wrote: »

I often book flights for elderly relatives to visit my family using my card, never ever a problem, and that's with a number of different carriers. Only thing that might catch you out is if you listed the person flying as Ms. X and your passport says Mrs. Y.

for things like this just carry a copy of your marriage cert until you change it over. You can legally use both your married name and your single name as they are both legal names for you - you have legal right to use either, both, a mix. I double barrelled my name on some stuff like utility bills etc, but didn't change my bank or drivers licence or work stuff - just for simplicity, but legally I have been told by a solicitor friend that I can use either and any documentation where there is a discrepancy (such as old passport etc) just have a copy of marriage cert with it in case.

cch

katetehblue wrote:

How long after getting married do you need to have passports/driver's licenses and all that good stuff changed over to your married name?

Absolutely no time limit on this and no obligation to do it either!

Cincikchick wrote: »

for things like this just carry a copy of your marriage cert until you change it over. You can legally use both your married name and your single name as they are both legal names for you - you have legal right to use either, both, a mix. I double barrelled my name on some stuff like utility bills etc, but didn't change my bank or drivers licence or work stuff - just for simplicity, but legally I have been told by a solicitor friend that I can use either and any documentation where there is a discrepancy (such as old passport etc) just have a copy of marriage cert with it in case.

TBH that may be the legal position but I wouldn't trust Ryanair with this at all!!
Just make sure whoever's booking the tickets uses the exact same name as is on the passport.

galah

I'm in the process of changing my name, and find it really, really annoying.
Getting the name changed at work (and all that follows) took me the best part of 10 days, included phone calles to various local and global IT departments, some random HR women in Ireland and elsewhere, and a LOT of explanations. At one point, I thought I was the first and only woman EVER to change her name after getting married...

anyhoo - it gets worse. Tried the bank, and while it really shouldn't be that difficult, yer one must have been a little sleepy - I ended up being MISS galah newname, not MRS (on the bank cards etc). Meh. she also almost forgot to hand me back the passport AND left my marriage cert on the copier....maybe a bad day at the office.

Meteor was another struggle - I rang up to get the name changed, the not very helpful staff told me they couldnt do it over the phone, I have to go into a branch with my marriage cert - marched into town, and what did the dude in Meteor say? "why didn't you just call the helpline instead of coming in?" aaargh.

Gave up on Eircom, ESB and the rest of them - simply can't be arsed.

Still need to change the info for revenue (but I have not had the patience to read through all that tax stuff ), and will get car tax etc changed soon-ish...so much to think about...

MargeS

I'm not sure I see the need to change your name? I'm getting married soon, and won't be doing it.
Is there any benefit... and I don't mean just financial?

smelltheglove

I suppose its each to their own. My 2 yr old thinks its great calling us all by name and that I have the same name as her, I think she notices it a bit more as my first daughter has my maiden surname. I had considered staying with my maiden name but decided no I wanted to be a more traditional family. My first daughter was given a chice, even though only 6, I would not make a decision for her, she was allowed to choose between the name she had, my husbands name and her daddys name, she didnt want to change as she loves her name.

There is no benefit really, its just whether you want to or not really. I still feel strange when people address me as Mrs. Fox.

galah

I'm a traditionalist at heart, as well.

And was also very very sick of always having to spell and explain my (German) maiden name...Now, it's easier here - but infinitely more difficult in Germany.

Can't win. :rolleyes: