Leanne JMar 11

Getting married soon (we hope), wanted a simple arrangement. Thus far:
Register office only open for 1 hour 6 days a week, the larger room is only Mon-Fri. Durham is worse, only Tuesday & Wednesday!

Need documents. Birth certificate, which my mam assures me she gave me when I bought my house in 2007. No clue where it is. New one bought online 👍
As my name was changed as a kid I also need the deed poll/change of name. Hmm. No clue where that is. Not as easy as getting the new birth certificate!

Show threadLeanne JMar 11

It turns out if you have an unenrolled deed poll / change of name (which is most people) there is no central record and thus no copy to send you. So you need to do it again. In the UK, we have the right to do this for free. So I just need 2 witnesses to sign the form which I can just print myself. Easy enough!

As I was reminded when I did this the first time, aged 16, you can choose pretty much anything you want. Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock anyone? 😂 #Phoebe

Show threadCaz Mockett
@LDJ is it me or does that situation strike you as a bit... crazy? 🤷🏼‍♀️
Mar 11 at 8:24pmWeb
Show threadLeanne JMar 11
@cazmockett It’s from an historic law, and it’s still a legally binding document for me as you’re only allowed to use one name. Contracts and even wills can be made with less information in some instances. Weird but interesting. My name has been this since primary school, but they didn’t legally have to change it for school or NHS - I dunno, 80s record keeping! And kids travelled on their parents’ passports then. But when I was 16 I suddenly needed my own passport for college.
Show threadCaz MockettMar 11
@LDJ oh I appreciate all that I'm just surprised there is no central records of who has changed to what. 🤷🏼‍♀️
Show threadLeanne JMar 11

@cazmockett It does seem a bit mad. But there is record as soon as you use the name for anything with legal implications - house, credit card, ID, marriage, bills, contracts - so that’s why you can only go by one name. Similar with a new married name of course, you just update any relevant suppliers and documents.

I could take the opportunity to change my surname to Nick’s, which we discussed, but I’d have to change a lot of subscriptions and records…😂 So no.

Show threadCaz MockettMar 11
@LDJ he could always change his to yours 😁
Show threadHobbsMar 11
@cazmockett @LDJ no, oh and from now on I want to be known as Penfold!
Show threadLeanne JMar 11
@Hobbs @cazmockett Does that make me Danger Mouse? 😁
Show threadHobbsMar 11
@LDJ @cazmockett