How do you change your name after getting married abroad?

Changing your name after a wedding abroad works the same way as after a wedding in the UK, as long as your marriage is legally recognised here. You do not have to change your name, but if you choose to, your marriage certificate is the usual proof. First, check that your marriage is recognised in the UK. Marriages that are legal in the country where they took place are usually recognised here, but you can confirm with the GOV.UK page for that country or with the General Register Office.

Once you have your marriage certificate, you can use it to update your passport, driving licence, bank accounts, employer records and other official documents. Some organisations may ask for a certified translation if the certificate is not in English. You can get a translation from a professional translator, and it may need to be certified or notarised. Check with each organisation what they accept.

If your certificate is not in English, you might also consider getting an apostille, which is a form of legalisation that makes the document valid abroad. The process varies by country, so check the rules for the country where you married. For UK documents, you can get an apostille from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Remember that you can use your new name informally straight away, but official changes take time. Start with your passport, as other organisations often ask for it as proof. Keep your old documents safe until everything is updated.