Marriage and Divorce

Women 

Although traditionally women change their surname tot hat of their husbands on marriage there is no requirement to do so. A woman is s free on married to continue using her maiden name, take the husband’s surname or to use a double-barrelled surname. 

It is also possible to use both the maiden and married name for different purposes. Eg the maiden name may be used by the woman for her professional career and the husband’s name in private.  

A marriage certificate is all that is required to change the woman’s name to her husband’s surname. It is simply sent to all the relevant authorities and organisations to amend their records. However, is a double-barrelled surname is to be used then a legal change of name document is required. 

Upon divorce, a woman can usually revert to her maiden name without the need for a legal document as her decree absolute certificate (certificate of divorce) and marriage certificate (which shows her previous maiden name) are usually accepted as proof of reversion to the maiden name. Often a woman will wish to revert to the maiden name as soon as a separation occurs and before a divorce is granted. In this situation a change of name document will be required. 

A woman is able to continue using the man’s surname after a divorce although this is not to imply that she is still married. 

Men 

There is no automatic right of a man to change his name by virtue of married. The marriage certificate is only accepted as change of name for a woman. Consequently for a man he will always require a change of name document if he wishes to change his name to that of his wife or use a hyphenated or double barrelled name . Similarly he will require one on divorce too if he wishes to revert to his original name.