How to change your name.

People change their names for many reasons. The most common include marriage, civil partnership, divorce, separation, family circumstances, personal preference or a wish to adopt a different spelling or combination of names.
In England and Wales, an adult can generally begin using a new name without obtaining permission from a court. However, official organisations will usually require documentary evidence before changing the name shown on a passport, driving licence, bank account or other formal record.

Do You Need a Deed Poll?

A deed poll is a legal document that provides evidence that you have changed your name and intend to use the new name for all purposes.
You can use a deed poll to:

• Change your first name or surname;


• Add or remove a middle name;


• Change the spelling of your name;


• Add or remove a hyphen;


• Create a double-barrelled surname; or


• Adopt an entirely different name.

You do not necessarily need a deed poll to start using another name. In practice, however, it is often required when updating official records.
A new name must not be used for a fraudulent purpose, to avoid a legal obligation or to mislead others.

Unenrolled and Enrolled Deed Polls

There are two main forms of deed poll.

Unenrolled Deed Poll

An unenrolled deed poll can be prepared by you, a solicitor or a specialist deed poll provider. A person aged 16 or over can make their own unenrolled deed poll.
The document must be signed correctly and witnessed. Government guidance currently states that a self-prepared, un-enrolled deed poll should be signed in front of two witnesses aged 18 or over.
An unenrolled deed poll does not place the name change on a public register. It is sufficient for many organisations, although acceptance policies can vary.

Enrolled Deed Poll

An enrolled deed poll is registered through the Royal Courts of Justice and places the change of name on the public record.
Enrolment is not normally required for a name change to be legally effective. Some organisations may nevertheless insist on an enrolled deed poll, so it is sensible to check what evidence will be accepted before beginning the process.
Enrolment also means that personal information about the old and new names will be publicly available.

Changing Your Name After Marriage or Civil Partnership

You will not normally need a deed poll if you adopt your spouse's or civil partner's surname.
A marriage or civil-partnership certificate will usually provide sufficient evidence to update records such as your passport, driving licence and bank accounts.
It may also be possible to use the certificate to:

• Take your spouse's or civil partner's surname;


• Retain your existing surname;


• Use your existing surname professionally and another surname personally; or


• Adopt a double-barrelled surname combining both surnames.

Whether a certificate alone is sufficient for a particular double-barrelled or combined name may depend on the wording and policy of the organisation concerned. A deed poll may be required where the proposed name is not clearly derived from the names shown on the certificate.
You should ensure that the name on your passport matches the name used to book international travel.

Changing Your Name After Divorce or Dissolution

After divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership, you are not legally required to stop using your married name.
To return to a previous surname, organisations may ask for:

• Your final order or decree absolute;


• Your marriage or civil-partnership certificate;


• Your birth certificate; and


• A signed statement confirming that you intend to use your previous name for all purposes.

Evidence requirements vary. Where the available documents do not clearly establish the connection, a deed poll may be the simplest option.
Some historic documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce orders and older educational qualifications, will not normally be rewritten because they accurately record the name used when they were issued.

Changing Your Passport

You must apply for a replacement passport if you want it issued in your new name.
Depending on the reason for the change, evidence may include:

• A marriage or civil-partnership certificate;


• A final order or decree absolute;


• A deed poll;


• A statutory declaration or affidavit;


• Evidence connecting your old and new names; and


• Evidence that you are using the new name.

Changing a name on a passport is not simply an amendment to the existing document. A new passport application and the applicable fee will normally be required.

Changing Your Driving Licence

You should notify the DVLA when your name changes.
You will normally need to send:

• The appropriate D1 or D2 application form;


• Your existing driving licence; and


• Original evidence of the name change.

There is currently no charge to change the name on a driving licence, although a charge may apply where another change is requested at the same time.
Vehicle owners should also update the name shown on the V5C registration certificate.

Updating Other Records

Once you have suitable evidence, you may need to notify:

• Banks, building societies and credit providers;


• HM Revenue and Customs;


• Your employer and pension providers;


• Mortgage lenders and insurers;


• Utility and telecommunications companies;


• Your GP and other healthcare providers;


• The electoral registration office;


• Schools, universities and professional bodies;


• The Land Registry where appropriate; and


• Companies House if you are a company director or person with significant control.

Keep several certified copies of the relevant documents where possible, as organisations may have different evidence requirements.

Changing a Child’s Name

Changing the name of a child under 18 can be more complicated.
As a general rule, everyone with parental responsibility should consent to the change. Where a person with parental responsibility refuses or cannot be located, an application to the family court may be required.
The court's main consideration will be whether the proposed change is in the child's best interests.
A child aged 16 or 17 can generally make their own unenrolled deed poll. Different requirements may apply when changing a passport, school record or other official documentation.
Legal advice is recommended where:

• The parents disagree;


• One parent cannot be contacted;


• There is a child arrangements order;


• The child is subject to care proceedings;


• The proposed change involves a step-parent’s surname; or


• There are concerns about removing the child from the UK.

Restrictions on Changing a Name

A name may be refused by an official organisation where it:

• Contains numbers or symbols that cannot reasonably form part of a name;


• Is offensive;


• Implies a title or status that has not been obtained;


• Is intended to deceive;


• Promotes criminal activity; or


• Creates practical or public-interest concerns.

Certain people, including some registered offenders, prisoners and individuals subject to immigration controls, may also have legal duties to report a name change or obtain approval.

When a Solicitor Can Help

Many straightforward adult name changes can be completed without a solicitor. Specialist advice may be useful where:

• An organisation has rejected your deed poll;


• You need an enrolled deed poll;


• You are changing a child's name without unanimous consent;


• Your nationality or immigration documents create complications;


• Your documents contain different names;


• The change is connected with divorce or family proceedings; or


• You need a statutory declaration or certified documents.

To find a solicitor who can advise on changing your name, use the search facility at the top of this page and select Family Law or the most relevant area of law.