Changing your name after a major life change: the admin checklist people forget

When you go through a major life change such as a divorce or getting married, it is easy to forget about some of the important administrative tasks that you need to complete. 

If you are going through a divorce, you might be distracted by the emotional rollercoaster you’re experiencing or you’re preoccupied with trying to set up your new home arrangements. A recent wedding might mean that you are enjoying your honeymoon or still caught up in the memories of your big day.

Whatever the reason is for changing your name after a major life change, forgetting to do certain admin could cause you some serious problems. If you are about to change your name or have already done so, here’s a checklist of tasks to help make sure that you don’t miss anything out:

Obtain Your Legal Document to Evidence Your Name Change

The first step in the process is to get hold of the legal document that you will be able to use as proof of your name change for notifying relevant organisations. This could be your marriage certificate, divorce document (decree absolute), civil partnership certificate, deed poll or adoption certificate.

Another type of document you might be able to use is a statutory declaration name change, which is a written statement made under oath and is a legally binding document. These are commonly used in Scotland or for international use to provide evidence of a name change. They can also be used by non-UK citizens who need to provide evidence of a name change.

Apply for a New Passport

It is not a legal requirement to change your name on your passport but if you want to use your passport as ID for anything, you will need it to be in your new name. It will also reduce the chances of ending up with travel problems if you forget to book flights in your previous name. Your passport must match the name you have booked your flights in and a marriage certificate will not be acceptable as proof of name change by the airport security.

A name change for a passport unfortunately means paying for a new one, which is why some people choose to wait until their passport is due for renewal before they arrange to get their name changed on the new document.

Update Employment Records and HMRC

Notify your employer of your change of name and also let HMRC know if your HR department do not do this on your behalf. This will make sure that your payslips and tax records are all in the correct name. 

You should also update your details with your pension provider and any employment schemes you are part of.

Update Banks and Mortgage Providers

You will also need to let your bank(s), plus any credit card and mortgage providers know that you have changed name. Your bank will usually automatically send you new bank cards with your new name. If you have any other type of finance, such as loans or car loans, you should also update these companies.

Contact the DVLA 

If you have a UK driver’s license, you will have to contact the DVLA to arrange for your licence to be updated. This is particularly important because not having your legal name on your driver’s licence can result in a fine of up to £1,000 under the Road Traffic Act. You might also experience car insurance issues if your driving licence has not been updated.

Vehicle owners also need to remember to update their registration documents so that they are re-issued in the correct legal name.

Update Any Insurance Policies 

Check which insurance policies you have in your name, such as home, life, car, pet and medical insurance and arrange for your name to be updated with the relevant insurance providers.

Inform Your Healthcare Providers

People often forget to tell their GPs and dentists about their change of name. Not updating your healthcare records could result in confusion when trying to get appointments and could cause duplication of records.

Update Electoral Roll and Council Tax Records

Don’t forget to update your name on the electoral roll and on your council tax records, to save complications when it comes to vote. Your electroral roll is also linked to your credit records, so changing this as early as possible will make sure you don’t face issues getting a new mortgage or credit, for example.

Tell Your Utilities Suppliers

These are the ones that commonly get overlooked, your gas, electric and water suppliers might seem obvious but if you also have broadband, phone contracts and TV subscriptions, you should inform the suppliers of your name change.

Changing your name involves a long list of admin but this checklist should help make sure you don’t forget anything and some of these updates can be completed online to save time.