is my last name legal

simonb101

hey there may last name is byrne but in my great grandfathers time it was o byrne i would like to bring the o back because from what im told it was just my great grandfathers ideato drop it. can anyone tell me if its legal to just start using it again

Our man in Havana

Yes. There is absolutely nothing to stop you calling yourself anything you like.

fliptzer

Not sure it's as simple as that, if your birth cert, passport, etc. has 'byrne' you might be best to legally change your name by deed poll to avoid any uncertaininty later.

This might help

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/birth-family-relationships/problems-in-marriages-and-relationships/changing_your_name_by_deed_poll

Ceartgoleor

I know of a family from home as well where two of the girls refer to themselves by just the surname (for example Byrne as you used above) and the rest of the family use O'Byrne (just sticking with the example!) She found it created problems for her though when she graduated college and her degree was conferred in her name on her birthcert (and her transcripts were in the same name) yet when she started applying for jobs online and stuff she was having problems with the two slight differences in her surnames, so thats definitely something to be aware of

dermot_sheehan

There's nothing stopping you from calling yourself whatever you want.

If you want documentary proof of a change of name you can execute a document at the high court called a deed poll for a nominal enough fee (less then 50euros I think)

To get the new name on a passport you must show documentary evidence of use for two years when applying for a new passport.

simonb101

thanks folks for all the info ill dig further cheers