“And just when you thought it was all over!! There are still plenty of things that need to be done after the wedding so here's a helping hand to get you through your first few months of married bliss blissfully! And of course, one of the biggest things is letting everyone know your new surname. Deciding whether or not to change your name after your wedding is a completely personal decision. Some people do, some people don't and while you are legally entitled to change your name upon marriage, you are not legally obligated to do so. Whatever you decide must be right for you and whatever you do will not make you more or less married. There are several option open to brides -

Taking your husbands surname - This is the most traditional, and still the most popular choice. It's very easy to do, you just need to tell everyone that you've done the deed and now wish to be known by your husband's name. Because a marriage certificate acts as legal entitlement to do this, you don't need to fill in any further forms but most companies will want to see your marriage certificate before they change their records to check that you are entitled to take this name.

Double Barreling - This is where one or both parties make a new surname comprising of the woman's maiden name and the man's surname. This does require some legal leg work however as the marriage certificate does not give either of you legal entitlement to do this. You'll both need to either change your names by deed poll or by statutory declaration. You really need to see a solicitor to do this correctly and to obtain the necessary paperwork.

Maiden Name for work and Husband's name elsewhere - If you have a particular reputation at work or just want to keep your maiden name to avoid confusion with contacts, you may decide to do this. You'll probably need to write to your work, explaining what you'll be doing and also to let them know which name your bank account/NI/tax records should be held in.

Another alternative is for your husband to take your name. This again entails some legal work as men do not have legal rights to change their name upon marriage. As with double barreling, you would need to make a statutory declaration or change the name by deed poll.

If you have children from a previous relationship or marriage, the name change debate is doubly difficult. They too can change their names by deed poll to match a new married name but for more permanent changes (such as adoption or giving legal rights to your new husband) you must speak to a lawyer.

If you've changed you name following your wedding, you'll need to let people know. Here's a list of who you need to contact -

Employer

Inland Revenue - obtain your reference and address from your employer

Department of Health & Social Security - write to the Contributions Agency at your local Social Security Office

Local Authority - to change council tax and voting records

Doctor

Dentist

DVLC - for your driving licence and any car registration documents

Passport Office

Bank

Building Society - mortgage and/or savings accounts

Credit Card and Store Charge-Card Companies

Finance/Loan Companies - cars, household goods etc.

Premium Bond Office

Investment Companies

Companies that you have shares in - the name of the registrars should be on your certificates or paperwork

Utilities - gas, electricity, telephone

Mobile Phone company

Pension provider

Insurance Companies - motor, medical, life, buildings & contents, pets (and if you have a pet, you’ll need to inform your vet too)

Mail-Order catalogue companies.

Motoring Organisations - breakdown organisations

Professional Institutes and Bodies

Clubs, Societies and Associations

Solicitors, financial advisers etc.

Internet Service Provider - if your e-mail address incorporates your old name, you may wish to change your e-mail address

Magazine subscriptions

Most companies will be satisfied with a letter and a copy of your marriage certificate or even a phone call. However, some organisations (especially banks) like to see the original certificate and make a copy for their records there and then, as well as asking you to sign your new signature for their systems too. It might be best to find some time to go into the bank rather than posting your original certificate to them.

If you write to any companies, be sure to give them your new name, date of marriage, address and any account reference numbers.

It does seem like a massive task so it can be helpful to get all the contact details together, set up a ‘standard letter’ and blitz it! Then promise yourself another look at your wedding photos when you’re done…”

This excerpt is taken from the ‘TK on the Day’ wedding planning Cd-Rom which is full of all the details and information that you’d need to plan your wedding. Written by ‘one of the UK’s best wedding experts’, you can find out more about ordering on www.tkontheday.co.uk

Copyright © Tamryn Kirby & ‘TK on the Day’ 2003-2004. All rights reserved.