Can I use two names simultaneously?

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LongjumpingLab3092@reddit

It's literally fine. I got married last year and got halfway through changing documents before I ran out of steam. Currently driving licence is changed (along with everything driving related), about half of the utilities, half my bank accounts, and a few other misc things that were easy to change like my gym membership and the vet. Passport and anything high effort is in my maiden name. I'll get there eventually 😂 I do carry my marriage certificate with me when travelling in case of any identity issues

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TSC-99@reddit

I’m at the start of this process 🤣

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DameKumquat@reddit

As long as you don't have another passport in a different name, yes. Since 2016 the UK won't renew your passport if you have a different name on any other passports you hold. Changing the name on a foreign passport or your UK one to match the other could be hard if all other ID is in another name.

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ashyjay@reddit

How are you going to provide right to work? how are you going to explain to an employer/HMRC/DWP your name is \*blank\* but pay you in this bank account for \*blorb\* and you'll have 2 conflicting names to your NI number. You can have a formal name but go by a prefered name, I know quite a few who have a formal name on all documentation but use an anglicised name for day to day purposes.

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ramapyjamadingdong@reddit

My work have never questioned that they pay an account with a different name. I showed my marriage certificate in conjunction with any docs requested. You can legally keep passport in maiden name until it expires.

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

I have passport, bank account and professional qualifications HMRC and house 1 in maiden name and driving licence, bank account, house 2 and family matters in married name. Its not fraud the use of a professional name is well recognised - the old paper driving licences used to have a special box for this purpose.

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ashyjay@reddit

Married name, there's a difference, as there's a record of the name with the registry office tying the surnames together. it's much the same as why you don't need a deed poll to change a surname once married. It's not a name pulled from thin air. A professional name would also be registered with the industry body, union, guild or certifying body.

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

Yes thats why i called it my professional name it is also the name on my birth certificate therefore it is my name and I am entitled to use it as i see fit.

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ramapyjamadingdong@reddit

I got my passport in 2014 as Miss A. In 2016 I got married and changed my name to Miss B. I changed my name everywhere except for at work and on my passport. My passport expired this month and I need to renew it. It is my understanding that I now have to change my name on my passport from a to b.

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Bad_Hippo1975@reddit

Hope that's not a potential Miss Stake.

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

No you don't have to if you continue to be Miss A then you need ID for that if you change jobs. As I recall you will need to do the paper application as they won't be able to link your driving licence and passport together.

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YelenaShadow@reddit

I don't think you can do that, to open a bank account or get a driving licence you need id- therefore something with your name on it. I think the only options to change your name is by deed poll or marriage, then that would be your legal name. Then you can change your bank account and driving licence. If your passport is in a different name, it doesn't matter as long as you're not using it to open a bank account etc, or travelling.

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Laescha@reddit

There's no such thing as a legal name in the UK.

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YelenaShadow@reddit

Of course there is! It's the name on your birth certificate!

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Laescha@reddit

That's not your legal name, it's just a name that is fairly easy to prove is yours. If you're born Jane Smith and later decide that that's boring and start going by Raven Dreamscape, then Raven Dreamscape is your legal name just as much as Jane Smith is - but you might find that difficult to prove.

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

You can use marriage certificate or divorce decree its an easy way of doing it. You don't need a deed poll but most people choose to do it. As I recall you just need to declare it and notify people that you will be using it - i think it is called a statutory declaration.

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YelenaShadow@reddit

I had forgotten about the divorce decree! I had a divorce but didn't change my name for a couple years, then used the deed poll

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

Oh no !

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

I use a mix of names as I added my husbands surname to my Maiden name so something like Sarah Smith Jones. I am often referred to as Mrs Jones Mrs Smith-Jones Mrs Smith etc. My bank account and some other things are still in Miss Smith and other things I have changed. You just have to remember which name you have used and which ID goes with it !

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MadWifeUK@reddit

I had to renew my passport 8 months before I got married (to go to a wedding). I changed my name on all my other things, but have kept my passport in my maiden name. We're 7 years married this year, I might get a new passport this year once it hits less than 2 years to go. When I've been showing my documents for a new job (twice since I got married) I've just produced my passport and marriage certificate and it's been accepted both times.

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RagingFuckNuggets@reddit

Yeah, just make sure you use your name on your passport when booking flights. I got married in 2018 but my passport is from 2017 and I didn't update it to my married name. I will be doing when it is up for renewal though. I also couldn't use it as ID for my mortgage since it had my maiden name. When people have asked to see my passport I also show my marriage licence. You don't have to legally change your name to anything just start using the name you want to use.

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YetAnotherInterneter@reddit

Would not recommend. It would be very difficult to prove that it wasn’t for fraudulent purposes and it would cause you a lot of grief.

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VerbingNoun413@reddit

The UK has no concept of a legal name. Your name is what people call you. However, you can and should expect issues if you do this and your documents don't match up. What are you trying to accomplish here? Do you simply not want to pay for a new passport?

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Can I use two names simultaneously?

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24 Comments

LongjumpingLab3092@reddit

TSC-99@reddit

DameKumquat@reddit

ashyjay@reddit

ramapyjamadingdong@reddit

Mental_Body_5496@reddit

ashyjay@reddit

Mental_Body_5496@reddit

ramapyjamadingdong@reddit

Bad_Hippo1975@reddit

Mental_Body_5496@reddit

YelenaShadow@reddit

Laescha@reddit

YelenaShadow@reddit

Laescha@reddit

Mental_Body_5496@reddit

YelenaShadow@reddit

Mental_Body_5496@reddit

Mental_Body_5496@reddit

MadWifeUK@reddit

RagingFuckNuggets@reddit

YetAnotherInterneter@reddit

VerbingNoun413@reddit

AutoModerator@reddit