Husband's name in US, maiden name in UK - legal?

[vkhutchings 15]

Hi all - I've looked through the old posts on this but just want to be really sure I'm doing the right thing!!

So I've finally got the Greencard!!! Which seemed like it would never happen and is really surreal! Now I'm turning my attention to all my loose ends in the UK. I'm only just getting around to telling HMRC etc. that I'm a permanent resident in the US now - I know that's bad, and maybe I should have done things before I left, but I was in the odd situation of not having any real history with HMRC because before this I was backpacking in Australia, and before that I was a post-grad so not working full-time, and before that just odd little jobs at school. So I'm only starting real working life in the US, and need my taxes in order.

ANYWAY, with all of my things in the US I'm using my husband's name - SS, Greencard etc. But I'm only just realising now what a pain it is so change all of that back in the UK (updating passport and everything). Is it possible (legal?) to use my husband's name in the USA and just keep my maiden name for everything in the UK?? I just don't want to go ahead with that plan and then find out it's illegal to not change everything to my new married name in the UK.

Thank you as always you helpful people

Edited August 20, 2014 by vkhutchings

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Eventually, you will want a new British passport and it makes sense to get it in your greencard name to make international travel easier.

Other than that, I'm not sure what you have in the UK to change. You probably don't have private pensions and such. Do you think you owe tax to the UK for 2013? If they might owe you, file a P85 to get a refund that would cover previous years too.

[vkhutchings 15]

Thanks, Nich-Nick! I was thinking of just changing the passport when it expires in a couple of years' time - I suppose I'm just attached to this one because of my stamps Until then I guess I'd just have to have the marriage cert with me when I re-enter the US.

I don't owe any tax or anything in the UK but I want to start making voluntary National Insurance contributions because I think one day we might move back to the UK (depending on all the crazy rules, of course). So I think I need to update my residency status with HMRC, and my parents also got a letter about me needing to update my voter registration, so I'll change my residency with them. Do I have to inform anyone like the NHS? Or DVLA? I think I also need to tell my bank because I won't be able to add to my ISA over there...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

That will work for your passport and travel. And you'll get it back after renewal to keep for the memories.

I really don't know the legalities of having an alias. I guess if you have a new name and you're going to stick with it, then having everything in your life under one name makes more sense. How many decades can you go explaining away things with a marriage certificate? If you move back to the UK, would you want to revert to your maiden name instead of your US name? Name changing is a hassle. I have a lifetime of things (in the US) in my former married name and didn't want to go to the bother of changing it, so I didn't. We have different last names because I'm lazy.

I would say, you are young and have a lifetime ahead of you so maybe get on with it and tell HMRC and the bank you moved, married, and have a name change. Or ring them up and ask if they require you to change it. The rest of us here may just be guessing.

[Kiwinyc 62]

All my stuff in the UK (bank accounts, pension, credit card, UK Drivers License ) are in my previous name, so is my passport. My greencard has both as I've simply added my married name and have two surnames here. I'll update my passport to say the same when I renew it in 2017. Its not illegal, just confusing.

[topoftherock2013 23]

Hiya,

Just adding my two cents worth, I got married last year and everything in the US is in my married name. Changing with student loan/HMRC is easy, you can do it over the phone and not even send anything in. My UK bank didn't let me change my maiden name without a passport change, so my bank cards and accounts are still in my old name.

Just recently I sent off my UK passport ($110!!) to reflect my new name, so I'd recommend you get it done. The reason for this was because I really don't enjoy carrying around my marriage certificate every time I travel internationally, at all times I have been taken into secondary to double check my names.

Depends on you really, if you travel a lot internationally etc it might be worth looking into, one less paper to carry around with you (which I'm absolutely sick of since I started with K1)

Like above posters mentioned, its not illegal so just weigh your options and see whats ideal/easier for you.

Good luck!

[vkhutchings 15]

Thank you all so much - this really helps I guess in time I'll change over the name with the various organisations, but it's nice to know I won't be in any kind of trouble if it takes me a while to do so! In fact, looking at how much it cost to send your passport off, topoftherock, maybe I should think about doing these things soon-ish, if only because I bet the costs will only go up!

[MmmBlondie 8]

Ok...so I have been married since April 2013 and took my husbands name.

Everything back in the UK is still in my maiden name but I didn't even think to contact HMRC!

How do I I even do that and why?! What else do I need to sort out "/

[stackeria 280]

I don't owe any tax or anything in the UK but I want to start making voluntary National Insurance contributions because I think one day we might move back to the UK (depending on all the crazy rules, of course).

Not related to name changes but...

If you are employed and paying social security / payroll taxes in the US, I would encourage you to do some research before making any additional voluntary National Insurance contributions in the UK.

The US and UK have a totalization agreement for social security / national insurance benefits. In theory, payments made in one system can eventually be claimed in the other. You should make sure you are not paying in twice for the same benefits!

I'm not sure if it is possible or advantageous to voluntarily pay additional national insurance contributions in the UK on top of what one might already be paying into social security in the US.

A lot of UK expats make voluntary contributions to national insurance but most of them work in countries without national insurance or totalization agreements with the UK (i.e. Dubai). The situation is different between the US and UK.

Here's a link with information about the agreement / treaty: http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/uk.html

Edited August 24, 2014 by stackeria