A Woman's Rights Upon Marriage: Understanding Your Name Change Options

Explore the legal rights and surname options available to women upon marriage in the UK. UK Deed Poll Service provides guidance on maintaining or changing your surname after marriage.

Your Rights As A Woman After Marriage

Marriage is a significant milestone that brings about various legal considerations, especially concerning a woman’s rights and choices regarding her surname. In the UK, women have the autonomy to decide whether to adopt their spouse’s surname, retain their maiden name, or choose an alternative option. Understanding these rights ensures that your personal and professional identity aligns with your preferences.

Surname Options After Marriage

Upon marriage, a woman in the UK can choose from several surname options:

Retain Maiden Name: Continue using your existing surname without any changes.

Adopt Spouse’s Surname: Change your surname to that of your spouse.

Double-Barrel Surnames: Combine both surnames, either with or without a hyphen, to create a double-barrelled surname.

Create a New Surname: Mesh/blend elements of both surnames or choose an entirely new surname.

Name Change Options Without Requiring a Deed Poll

Continuing with Your Maiden Name

If you choose to keep your maiden name after marriage, no formal action is required as you are not legally changing your name. Should you wish to use the title “Mrs” while retaining your maiden name, additional information is available via the link provided.

Adopting Your Husband’s Surname

Following tradition by taking your husband’s surname requires no Deed Poll. Your marriage certificate serves as the official documentation of your name change, as it displays your husband’s surname. To update your records:

Send a photocopy of your marriage certificate to most organisations
Include a brief covering letter explaining your name change
For important documents such as passports and driving licences, you’ll need to submit your original marriage certificate

We recommend purchasing several extra marriage certificates from your registrar or minister after your ceremony to facilitate multiple simultaneous applications.

Important note for international marriages: If your marriage took place in a non-English speaking country and your certificate is not in English, you must provide either:

An official English translation of your marriage certificate, or
A Deed Poll (typically the more cost-effective option)

Options That May Require a Deed Poll

Many modern brides are choosing alternatives to the tradition of taking their husband’s surname, preferring to maintain connections to their family name. Here are options that may require legal documentation:

Double-Barrelling Your Surnames

A double-barrelled surname combines both partners’ family names. These can be linked with a hyphen (Smith-Jones) or kept separate (Smith Jones). While some social circles traditionally place the man’s surname last, most couples arrange them based on what sounds most harmonious when spoken.

If you choose a double-barrelled surname, you may need a Deed Poll. Although government departments and many organisations will accept your marriage certificate as sufficient evidence, many financial institutions will not. A Deed Poll guarantees universal acceptance of your new name. To determine if you need one, contact your bank, building society, credit card company and mortgage provider to enquire about their specific policies.

Cost-Saving Option for Double-Barrelled Surnames

For couples both planning to use a double-barrelled surname, you can avoid the cost of a second Deed Poll if your husband-to-be changes his name before the wedding. After marriage, you can then take his double-barrelled surname using only your marriage certificate as documentation.

Important considerations:

Your husband should apply for his Deed Poll at least two months before the wedding
He must update all important documents before your honeymoon (passport, driving licence, etc.)
Avoid travelling internationally with documents showing different names
Your husband must notify your registrar about his name change to amend the marriage notice
Be prepared to show proof of consistent name usage (passport, driving licence) when requested

Using Your Maiden Name as a Middle Name

For women who want to take their husband’s surname but maintain a connection to their family name, adding your maiden name as a middle name offers an elegant solution. For example, Sarah Ann WILLIAMS marrying Michael JOHNSON could become Sarah Ann Williams JOHNSON.

Some couples also choose reciprocal name changes, with the husband adding his wife’s surname as a middle name (Michael Williams JOHNSON), which acknowledges the shared commitment to your new family identity. These changes require a Deed Poll.

"Meshing" Your Surnames

Surname meshing combines elements of both surnames to create an entirely new family name. For example, Sarah WILLIAMS and Michael JOHNSON might become Sarah and Michael WILLSON or JOHNAMS.

As this requires a Deed Poll, you could also keep your original surnames as middle names, maintaining your family connections while creating something new together.

Non-English Marriage Certificates

If your marriage took place in a non-English speaking country, you must provide either an official English translation of your marriage certificate or a Deed Poll when updating your records. The Deed Poll option is typically more cost-effective than obtaining an official translation.

When to Apply for Your Deed Poll

If you need Deed Polls to change your surname, consider these timing options:

Signing on Your Wedding Day

If you wish to sign your Deed Poll documents on your wedding day (immediately after your ceremony or during your reception), order your Deed Polls at least three weeks before your wedding to allow for any delays. When completing your application forms, note your wedding date in the comments box. We will pre-date your Deed Polls for your wedding day, which appears more professional than handwriting the date.

After signing your Deed Polls following your ceremony, keep them safe at home. Upon returning from your honeymoon, you can begin notifying everyone of your name change.

Applying After Your Honeymoon

If you prefer not to sign your Deed Polls on your wedding day, you can order them upon returning from your honeymoon. You may still order before your wedding if you wish, particularly if you want your documents ready for signing immediately after your honeymoon.

Changing Your Title to Mrs

Regardless of your decision regarding your surname, you may wish to change your title to Mrs. Here’s what you need to do for each option:

If You're Applying for a Deed Poll

When completing your Deed Poll application form, you can request the addition of a title change declaration. This ensures both your name and title change appear on your Deed Poll document. Your Deed Poll Pack will include a sample covering letter for notifying organisations of your name and title change.

If You're Taking Your Husband's Surname

If you choose the traditional option of taking your husband’s surname, include in your covering letter (when sending your marriage certificate to organisations) that you have also changed your title to Mrs.

If You're Keeping Your Maiden Name

If you decide to retain your maiden name but wish to use the title Mrs, no Deed Poll is required. Simply write to relevant organisations notifying them that following your marriage, you are not changing your surname but have changed your title to Mrs. Include a copy of your marriage certificate for verification.

Note: Your title does not appear on your passport, so there’s no need to update this document for a title change only.

Understanding Your Name Change Options After Marriage

As we’ve explored the various options for surname changes after marriage, it’s important to remember that a woman’s rights upon marriage include the freedom to choose how she identifies herself—whether keeping her maiden name, adopting her spouse’s surname, creating a double-barrelled combination, or exploring creative alternatives like surname meshing. These choices represent the evolution of marriage traditions to better reflect modern partnerships based on equality and mutual respect.