Although it is not common, a man taking the surname of his wife upon marriage is legally possible, with many couples deciding to do this in an effort to change the unequal practice of women taking their husband’s surname. The process for a man taking his wife’s surname is different to when a woman takes her husband’s surname, when only a marriage certificate is needed by organisations to note the change.
Although it is not common, a man taking the surname of his wife upon marriage is legally possible, with many couples deciding to do this in an effort to change the unequal practice of women taking their husband’s surname. The process for a man taking his wife’s surname is different to when a woman takes her husband’s surname, when only a marriage certificate is needed by organisations to note the change.
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When a man takes the surname of his wife, he must file a Deed Poll or obtain a formal Change of Name Deed which is drawn up by a solicitor. This will allow the husband to get all documents, records, and bank accounts, to list but a few, changed into his new name without problems or delays. The husband and wife will then be known by the same surname. But are there any other considerations or complications? We look at the potential issues.
What are the reasons a man may choose his wife’s last name?
Although it is not considered the traditional approach, a man is entitled to take his wife’s surname upon marriage. A study carried out in 2017 by London Mint revealed that more than 1 in 10 men are opting to take their wife’s surname when they marry. There could be a number of reasons for this change. Perhaps the wife wants to retain her name either for professional or personal reasons, and her husband wishes to share the same surname with her. It may be that the woman’s family name is at risk of being lost if it doesn’t get passed onto the couple’s children, while the man’s name has already been continued by other family members.
If a woman has a child from a previous relationship which shares her surname, then it might be more straightforward for the new husband to adopt that name. This way, the whole family can share the same surname without needing to think about changing the child’s surname, which can be problematic. On the other hand, it could simply be that the woman’s name has a nicer ring to it and they both want to share that surname.
There are people who just don’t agree with the implications of the woman taking her husband’s name in marriage. Of course, every couple’s circumstances are unique and there are many other reasons a couple may choose this option.
What complications could there be when a man change’s his surname to his wife’s?
A man changing his surname to his wife’s after marriage can bring some complications arising from traditional gender expectations around name changes. While women commonly change their surname upon marriage, men doing so can face challenges, both practically and socially.
From a legal standpoint, the man will need to provide additional documentation to validate his name change, as it is less common and can raise questions. Financial institutions, for example, will need to see the marriage certificate, deed poll, or other formal evidence to ensure the change is genuine. Some entities, such as banks or government agencies like the DVLA, might not initially recognise the name change as readily as they would for a woman, leading to delays or requests for further proof.
Additionally, men who change their surname may face scepticism or confusion, particularly in professional settings where other people may be unfamiliar with this practice. In some cases, there might also be social stigma, as traditional views of masculinity may lead to unwanted assumptions or comments.
What is the process for a man taking his wife’s surname?
If a man wishes to take his wife’s surname after marriage, the process is fairly straightforward but involves some specific steps to be taken.
A deed poll is commonly used for this purpose, as it legally confirms a name change. The man would need to draft a deed poll, which can be done with an online service or solicitor, then sign it with witnesses. Once complete, it becomes a legal document that can be presented as evidence of his new surname.
Although a name change by deed poll is most commonly used, a solicitor can prepare a “change of name deed” or “statutory declaration of change of name” as a legally recognised document. This document essentially serves the same purpose as a deed poll, but may be seen as more formal when prepared and witnessed by a legal professional.
What organisations and institutions would need evidence of a change of name?
- Government Agencies: The husband’s passport, driving licence, National Insurance records, HMRC, and any other government institutions must be updated with the new name. It is the policy of all government bodies to treat married men in exactly the same way as married women when changing their name.
- Banks and Financial Institutions: Banks and building societies will require a deed poll or other legal name change document together with the marriage certificate to update the husband’s name on accounts.
- Employers and Professional Bodies: The husband’s workplace and any professional memberships will also need notification of the name change.
How long does it take for an institution to change a name, and can it be reversed?
The time frame varies, but it generally takes a few weeks, depending on processing times for each institution – some are quicker than others, with government agencies being slowest.
If the couple gets divorced in the future, the man can decide whether to revert to his former name or continue using his married surname in the same way a woman would be able to do. If he decides to revert to his previous name, he can do so by entering another deed poll or other legal change of name document.
What are the alternative choices to a husband taking their wife’s surname?
A couple is under no obligation to change their surnames. Either party can retain their original birth surnames, combine both surnames by mashing them together in some way, or even create a double-barrelled surname. The choice is highly personal and up to the individual couple to decide.
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