Why You Sign Your Maiden Name at a UK Civil Wedding Ceremony

 

One of the most common questions I’m asked as a registrar is: “Do I sign my new married name on the day?” The answer might surprise you — no, you don’t.

At a UK civil wedding or civil partnership ceremony, you sign the marriage schedule with the name you walked into the ceremony room with — even if you plan on changing your surname after the ceremony. 

For example, if Miss Alice Leech marries Mr Harold Whittingham, she will still sign as Miss Alice Leech on the day, even if she later becomes Mrs Alice Whittingham.

There’s a very good reason for this. A marriage or civil partnership does not automatically change your name — and there is no legal requirement to change it at all. It’s entirely your choice. You can:

• Take your spouse’s surname
• Double-barrel both surnames
• Keep your current name
• Or even choose a completely new surname

Green feather quill pen with small pot of ink placed on His / Her Vow cards

If you do decide to change your name, it's your responsibility to notify all relevant organisations — such as your bank, Passport Office, DVLA, Drs, DWP, and so on. The registration service does not do this for you.

White fountain pen on a white envelope with gold "Wedding Certificate" printed on it

Planning a Name Change After Marriage? Here's My Advice:

If you’re planning to update your name, we recommend ordering a few extra copies of your marriage certificate. These are often needed as proof when updating official records, and it’s easier to order them at the time of registration than later on.

And yes, do practise your new signature if you’re excited about the change — but just remember: on the day of your ceremony, you must sign using the name you currently use. Don’t worry — we’ll remind you of this just before the signing!

So when your big day comes, take a deep breath, enjoy the moment, and leave the name change paperwork until after the confetti has settled.

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