Surname for Married Women getting Separated

Gerry T

Will try to explain the situation and see what people on here think.

A friend of mine is separating from her husband after more than 20yr's, she took his Surname when married. But now wants to change back to her maiden name. Her passport and bank accounts are in her husbands Surname.

Does she have to change her name by deed poll or can she just start using her Maiden name ?
Will she have to first change her Passport and Bank Account details ?

Anyone that's gone through this or knows the right way to go about it, if you can let me know that would be greatly appreciated.

Oh--finally its a separation, not a divorce she is starting into, would the name change affect anything there, division of asset's etc.. ?

MrWalsh

In Ireland a name can be changed by common usage.

However, there may be some legal inclusion in a separation about reverting back to the maiden name.

It shouldnt affect anything like division of assets.

Im not sure how you could go about changing it on the passport unless it was in common usage for a period of time though - because usually to change a surname on a passport they ask you to send in the marriage certificate. Perhaps she could ring the passport office on that.

Gerry T

MrWalsh wrote: »

...... - because usually to change a surname on a passport they ask you to send in the marriage certificate. Perhaps she could ring the passport office on that.

Thanks and that would be the best, I was just thinking if a married woman can take her husbands surname with a marriage cert can she then change back to her maiden name with say a birth cert. But as you say phoning the passport office would be best.

Pat Mustard

Gerry T wrote: »

Does she have to change her name by deed poll or can she just start using her Maiden name ?
Will she have to first change her Passport and Bank Account details ?

Most women who have been through divorce/separation don't bother with deed poll applications. They just revert to their maiden name. Besides, the birth cert is the original identity document and that will not have changed.

I don't know why they change their names in the first place. Pointless tradition.

Gerry T

The Mustard wrote: »

I don't know why they change their names in the first place. Pointless tradition.

Thanks for that, as you say I believe it was done out of tradition, I'm just 50 and most of my friends wives took their Surnames, not my wife--she wasn't giving in to that nonsense !

athtrasna

To change passport name back you need to prove two years of normal usage, bills etc. I'm glad my passport was all I ever changed

goz83

The Mustard wrote: »

I don't know why they change their names in the first place. Pointless tradition.

I wouldn't say it's pointless. When it comes to having kids, it certainly cuts out any trouble when naming them. I for one, despise double-barrel names, so lets just leave that on the side. You'd have oddballs giving the first child the dads surname and the second child the mums surname. I have personally witnessed this a few years back with an unmarried couple with four children. It helps establish marital status too. i think it also creates a stronger psychological bond between husband and wife and helps with the identity of the family unit.

Granted, not all marriges stand the test of time, but I certainly believe it's a good thing, not a pointless tradition. And asked if tables were turned, would I give up my name to take my wifes maiden name......yes, were it the norm, I would, but lets just say my surname suited her better than hers suited me

Gerry T

Got onto the passport web site and copied the following, just for info for anyone interested.

https://www.dfa.ie/passports-citizenship/top-passport-questions/documents-for-reverting-to-maiden-name/

If you've been using a married name and want to revert to your maiden name on your passport, you need to apply for a new passport and submit:

Your previous passport
Your birth certificate
A judicial separation court order, separation agreement, or divorce decree
Otherwise, you will need to submit two official documents that show you've been using your maiden name for two years.