In the United Kingdom, a divorced person has the freedom to choose their name after the divorce is finalized. There are no strict legal requirements that dictate what name they must use, whether it's their maiden name or their ex-spouse's last name.
After a divorce, a person has several options when it comes to their name:
Keep Their Married Name: They can choose to keep using their ex-spouse's last name if they wish. This name can be used as their last name or even as a middle name or initial.
Revert to Their Maiden Name: They can also choose to go back to using their maiden name, either as their last name or middle name.
Choose a New Name: In some cases, a divorced person might decide to adopt an entirely new name, not linked to either their ex-spouse's last name or their maiden name.
It's important to note that whatever name they choose, they should ensure they inform the relevant authorities and institutions of the change, such as the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), passport office, banks, and employers.
Additionally, if a person decides to remarry, they will have another opportunity to consider their name choice. They can choose to keep the name they adopted after the divorce or change it again based on their preference.
Ultimately, the decision of what name to use after a divorce and whether to keep that name after remarriage is a personal one. It's recommended that individuals consider what feels most comfortable and aligned with their identity and inform the appropriate authorities of any name changes to avoid confusion in legal and administrative matters.