Changing Your Name After Divorce

When you get divorced, you can choose what name to use. You can revert to your previous name, keep your married name, or choose something entirely new.



If you want to change your name in any way, you need a deed poll. Your divorce papers do not change your name.

Your Options

Revert to your previous name

You can return to the name you used before marriage. You need a deed poll for this. Your decree absolute is not enough on its own.

Keep your married name

You can continue using your married name after divorce. No deed poll or documentation is needed, and nobody can require you to change it.

Choose a different name

You can change to a completely new name you have not used before. You need a deed poll for this.

Why Your Divorce Papers Are Not Enough

In Northern Ireland, your divorce is finalised by a decree absolute. It proves your marriage has ended. It says nothing about your name.

Organisations need proof of your name change before they update your records, and a deed poll provides it. Some organisations may accept your birth certificate, marriage certificate and decree absolute together as evidence that you're reverting to a previous name, but many will not, and gathering three documents is more work than one. A deed poll removes the doubt and is accepted everywhere.



Our guide to changing your name in Northern Ireland explains how deed polls work.

When to Change Your Name

You can change your name by deed poll at any point, during divorce proceedings or after. You do not need to wait for your decree absolute.



Most people wait until the divorce is finalised, which keeps things simpler. But if you want your name changed sooner, nothing stops you.

Your Children's Names

Your decision about your own name is separate from your children's. Parents and children do not need to share a surname, and many families don't.



If you want to change your children's names as well, everyone with parental responsibility must consent, including your former spouse if they hold it. Our guide to changing your child's name explains how it works.

Financial and Matters

Changing your name does not affect financial settlements, maintenance payments, or arrangements for your children. Your legal identity stays the same, and your obligations continue under your new name.

Privacy

A deed poll is a private document. Your name change is not published or entered on any public record. Only you and the organisations you inform will know about it.



If you are changing your name for safety reasons, consider carefully which organisations you inform and when.

Updating Your Documents

After changing your name, you update your records with each organisation directly. Your driving licence should be updated promptly, since the DVA must be told of changes to your details. For everything else, there is no deadline.



See our article on who to inform when you change your name for the full list.

Ready to Change Your Name?

Apply online and receive your deed poll by post within days. Each document is drafted to Northern Irish requirements, printed on parchment paper and embossed with a seal.

Once signed and witnessed, it is legally binding and guaranteed to be accepted in Northern Ireland and throughout the UK.