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Name Change After Divorce

Chloe McDermott

Morning, 

I am hoping someone can assist me with a sanity check! 

We have an employee who has just received her decree absolute and wants to revert back to her maiden name. However, the absolute does not state her maiden name just her married name. Normally, I ask for accompanying documents to confirm that the name has officially changed; either from solicitors or deed poll office. 

The employee has handed me a form this morning from HM Courts and Tribunal Services and there is a section that refers to divorce papers (doesn't state what papers) and states that this is enough to change your surname with your employer. She is quite adamant that she is not paying to change her name. 

I am uncomfortable with changing her surname on payroll and contractual documents without documentation that states she has officially denounced her married name. However, I may be a it out of date as I know there was a change to divorce papers in 2022 and I may have missed something that confirms a decree absolute is enough. 

Does anyone have any advice?

Thank you Slight smile

Parents
  • Just to add a little to this.

    When my wife and I married she chose to keep her previous name. Fine by me but it caused one or two little 'issues', with minor officialdom and bureaucrats insisting on calling her Mrs Perry. She simply told them that she wanted to be known by her previous name and that was that.

    As far as I'm aware you can choose to be called whatever name you wish. HMRC don't care what you call yourself as long as you pay your taxes. When I wanted my middle name added to my bank a/c details (to avoid confusion with some one else with a similar name in our village) I simply told them what it was. They asked for no proof. No need for solicitors - unless you like paying them. Obviously - I hope - you can call yourself whatever you like - as long as you are not changing your name for dishonest reasons.
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  • Just to add a little to this.

    When my wife and I married she chose to keep her previous name. Fine by me but it caused one or two little 'issues', with minor officialdom and bureaucrats insisting on calling her Mrs Perry. She simply told them that she wanted to be known by her previous name and that was that.

    As far as I'm aware you can choose to be called whatever name you wish. HMRC don't care what you call yourself as long as you pay your taxes. When I wanted my middle name added to my bank a/c details (to avoid confusion with some one else with a similar name in our village) I simply told them what it was. They asked for no proof. No need for solicitors - unless you like paying them. Obviously - I hope - you can call yourself whatever you like - as long as you are not changing your name for dishonest reasons.
Children
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