What if I get married, and want to change my surname before buying a home?

2022 Really seems to be the bumper year for weddings! It has many newlyweds thinking about whether/when they want to change their surname.

Taking (or not taking) a new surname means different things to different people, but it's a tradition that could cause a major headache if you're also in the middle of purchasing a new house.

Your marriage certificate is a record of you getting married, not changing your name. All mortgage providers check your application name against your formal identity documents. Your name has to be consistent across the many forms of ID required, so that accurate identity and credit checks can be run.

If the name given on your application doesn't match what's on your driving license, passport, employer payslips or utility bills, a lender might not be able to offer you their services...or at the very least, it will cause delays.

If you decide to legally change your name, many providers will still want to see the original marriage certificate, sent by post. This makes it hard to contact multiple providers simultaneously.

Our advice? Wait!

Having different surnames on your property deed doesn't change your legal rights as a married couple.

If you're newly married AND purchasing a home, it's safest to wait until you have the keys before changing your surname!

To learn more about how to make the most out of your mortgage, book a call with one of our agents!