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  1.  
    • RebeccaV7
      CommentAuthorRebeccaV7
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    Hello,
    I am a doctor and am engaged. I was wondering if other doctors on here have changed their surname to their partners either personally or professionally and their reasons why. I also was wondering about the logistics of changing my name professionally if that is what I decide to do.

    I was thinking about changing my surname personally at home/bank etc and on the marriage certificate but keeping my surname at work but I don't know how this works legally.

    Thanks
  2.  
    • Mrs T Hurley!
      CommentAuthorMrs T Hurley!
      Ticker backgroundIs poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadgeTicker foreground
     
    I'm not a doctor but am a dispensing optician and my colleagues were surprised that I said that I will be changing my name. But my argument is that I've not been qualified that long so it shouldn't matter. If you've been a doctor for a while it might be worth considering keeping your name the same professionally. I've heard of many women keep their name professionally but I don't have any clue how they went about it!

    Members signature icon
    Met 18/09/03
    Engaged 06/09/08
    Getting married 05/09/17
  3.  
    • FutureMrsW
      CommentAuthorFutureMrsW
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    Hi Rebecca,

    It's second hand advice but my sister got married last year and had the same problem. If I recall correctly she found it was very difficult/maybe impossible to change the name on your doctorate award. She uses her married name in a personal capacity as you suggested, at the bank etc. but retained her maiden name in a professional capacity. From what I know she's had no trouble doing that.

    I'll ask her more when I see her tomorrow.




  4.  
    • Jules37
      CommentAuthorJules37
      BadgeBadge
      edited
     
    I'm a doctor have been qualified for years, keeping my name professionally. Most people I know have their maiden name professionally and then their married name out of work, unless they were married before they were qualified. Its up to you though, no idea about logistics I'm afraid, I think there is info on the GMC website about changing name.... I haven't looked into it yet because I'm not planning on changing my name for a while after we get married as we have lots of holidays booked in my old name this year but I'm going to ask colleagues who have kept their name professionally.
  5.  
    • InDreamland
      CommentAuthorInDreamland
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    I have changed my name on everything official including my records at work, however, for professional reasons i am still known on the email etc at work by my maiden name. I find it works fine.

    I'm not a doctor but as a professional who is established and has built a good reputation i want to keep my maiden name for professional purposes.

    Members signature icon
    Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
    Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!

  6.  
    • Glitterfairy
      CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
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    I am a Midwife and I changed my name, however, some consultants and Registrars at work have kept their maiden name professionally.

    Members signature icon
    Our wedding day - 6 October 2012


  7.  
    • Wundatigga
      CommentAuthorWundatigga
      Ticker backgroundIs poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadgeTicker foreground
     
    You can choose to be known by any name you like and do not need to do anything other than let people know that is how you wish to be known- almost like a stage name - you will always have your official name (so name on your passport etc) which as stated can be your new married name but there is nothing to keep you from using your previous name in a professional capacity.

    Members signature icon
    Started dating: 10th February 2011
    Welcomed our little girl: May 2015
    I proposed: 23rd December 2015
    I finally become Mrs R 17th August 2017
  8.  
    • JoanneW588
      CommentAuthorJoanneW588
     
    I am also a doctor and am choosing to change to my married name for both personal and professional purposes.

    This is for my own personal reasons as I want to feel traditional and be known as my new name for everything. I only have one publication in my maiden name and am not really interested in much research so I don't think it will affect me that much. The one reason that had put me off was that my dad is very proud of me for being the only doctor in the family and would have preferred if I kept my maiden name for professional purposes, but after thinking about it for a long time I decided I wanted to change it.

    I had spoken to a lot of colleagues, most of whom had kept their maiden name about the benefits of both. As for changing your name, it actually seems relatively simple, there's a form on the GMC website that you complete and they will update the register and then you will have to ontact indemnity + training bodies after this is done but it doesn't seem that difficult. You can't go back and change the name of your degree certificate but obviously this wil remain valid the same way it would for anyone else who isn't a doctor and gets married after they graduate. As long as you have changed it through the GMC then you can legally practice in your married name.

    If you're choosing to keep your maiden name, when changing your passport there's a section where you can request that you have your identity/photo page as Mrs X and then on the page beside this there will be a statement saying "This person is also known are Dr Y" which you can then use for identification for both purposes, rather than having to bring a copy of your marriage certificate every time.
  9.  
    • InDreamland
      CommentAuthorInDreamland
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    My passport does say on it "also know as Miss xxxxxxx" so i can be known as my maiden name at work but official records say my married name.

    Members signature icon
    Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
    Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!

  10.  
    • sammielou
      CommentAuthorsammielou
     
    I am a Dr and I am going to double barrel my surname. My h2b isn't Dr but will also double barrel is surname. We both wanted to keep our own and also wanted the other to take ours. Also it means I can just tag on the new part to any future publications.

    Also I worked so hard for the doctorate I didn't want to be dr in work and mrs out. I know it may sound silly and conceited but I like my title Dr both personally and professionally. I think h2b finds this a little hard at times and I understand I may get called mrs but on the whole close people will know.

    Hope it helps with your decision
  11.  
    • InDreamland
      CommentAuthorInDreamland
      Ticker backgroundIs poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadgeTicker foreground
     
    My mum uses her title Dr more than she does Mrs. Think my dad gets a little upset but is used to it.

    Members signature icon
    Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
    Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!

 

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