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Traditionally, a man does not change his surname upon marriage.  However, many men decide to either:

• Double-barrel their surname with their wife's surname.
• Take their wife's surname.
• Make their wife's surname a middle name.
• "Mesh" their surname with their wife's surname to make a new surname.

Your options explained
If you decide against tradition and wish to consider one of the above options, please read on.

1.  Double-barrelling your surname with your wife's surname OR taking your wife's surname
A double-barrelled surname uses both the couples' surnames.  The two elements of the new surname can be linked by a hyphen or kept separate e.g. Smith-Jones or Smith Jones.  It is personal choice whether a hyphen is used and which order the names are placed - although there is a tradition in some social circles to place the man's surname last.  Most couples however decide the order by what sounds better when the new double-barrelled surname is spoken.

If, following your marriage, you wish to double-barrel your surname with your wife's surname, or take your wife's surname, a Deed Poll is often required.  Although some companies and organisations will change their records to your new double-barrelled surname, or to your wife's surname, upon presentation of your marriage certificate, many will not, particularly the financial institutions e.g. banks and building societies.  A Deed Poll will guarantee that your new surname will be accepted by everyone without question.  Please note, since December 2005, government departments, including the Passport Office and DVLA, have been accepting marriage certificates as documentary evidence of a man changing his surname to a double-barrelled surname or for a man taking his wife's surname.  The only way to find out if you need a Deed Poll to get your non-government documents and records changed is to contact, for example, your bank, building society, credit card company and mortgage company etc and ask what their policy is for changing your surname upon marriage.  No doubt, in time, all companies and organisations will follow the government's lead and allow men to either double-barrel their surname, or take their wife's surname, upon presentation of the marriage certificate.

2.  A further option if you will be double-barrelling your surnames
If you and your wife will be double-barrelling your surnames by Deed Poll, the cost of a second Deed Poll (for your wife) can be avoided if you change your surname by Deed Poll to your double-barrelled surname before you marry.  Consequently, upon marriage, your wife can take your double-barrelled surname, in the traditional way, by using your marriage certificate as documentary evidence of her change of surname (because your double-barrelled surname is on your marriage certificate).  Please note, you should only follow the above advice if you have sufficient time to get the documents you will be taking with you on your honeymoon changed to your new double-barrelled surname, for example, your passport, travel documents, driving licence, credit cards etc. We suggest you should apply for your Deed Poll at least two months before your wedding to allow sufficient time to get everything changed before you travel on your honeymoon (you are strongly advised not to travel overseas carrying documents in different names).  You will also need to notify your minister/registrar that you have changed your surname by Deed Poll so your marriage notice can be amended to your new double-barrelled surname.

3.  Making your wife's surname a middle name
If your wife will be taking your surname upon marriage, in recognition of her giving up her family name, your could make your wife's surname one of your middle names.  Such a gesture may be greatly appreciated by your wife and not make the name change process following marriage one-sided.  If you wish to make your wife's surname a middle name, you can only do this by Deed Poll.

4.  "Meshing" your surnames
Meshing surnames is a term used to describe the blending of elements of each of the couple's surname to create a new surname for both of them.  For example, if Sarah WILLIAMS marries Michael JOHNSON, they could mesh their surnames to become Sarah and Michael WILLSON (or JOHNAMS).  Because meshing can only be accomplished by Deed Poll, you could also consider adding your original surnames as middle names, thereby maintaining a link with your original family names.  Using the above example, Michael JOHNSON would become Michael Johnson WILLSON.

When to apply for your Deed Polls
If you need to apply for Deed Polls to change your name, there are two options to consider in respect of the timing of your application:

1. Apply in time for signing on your wedding day
If you wish to sign your Deed Poll documents on your wedding day (immediately following your ceremony or later at your reception), you should order your Deed Polls at least three weeks before your wedding (this allows for any delays).  When you complete your application forms, please write in the comments box the date of your wedding.  We will then date your Deed Polls for your wedding day, which looks so much better than hand writing the date.  After you sign your Deed Polls after your ceremony, you will keep them safe at home and upon your return from your honeymoon you will start the process of letting everyone know of your change of name by Deed Poll.

2. Apply upon returning from your honeymoon
If you do not wish to sign your Deed Polls on your wedding day, you can order your Deed Polls upon returning from your honeymoon.  You can of course still order before your wedding if you wish, particularly if you want your Deed Poll documents to hand for signing upon returning from your honeymoon.

Making other changes to your name
If you will be applying for a Deed Poll to change your name following your marriage, you can also take the opportunity to make other changes to your name.  For example, you may wish to change, add, rearrange or remove forenames.

Last updated: 7 August 2006