A comprehensive guide to changing

your name by Deed Poll in the UK

Updating your Passport

Your passport is one of the most important documents you will need to update following your change of name, as the name on your passport should always be your legal name.  

Once you have changed your name by Deed Poll, your Deed Poll document will need to be sent to the Passport Office as proof of your name change along with the required form to amend your passport. The original Deed Poll document is required and a photocopy will not be deemed acceptable.

 There are several ways you can apply to amend your passport. 

• By visiting the Post Office or WorldChoice Travel agents where you will be able to collect an application form.

• By visiting www.ips.gov.uk and either

• Filling in the online form to request an application form, which will be posted to you, to complete and return or

• Completing the online application, which can then be printed out and sent directly to the Passport Office along with your passport photos.

• By phoning the Passport Customer AdviceLine on 0870 521 0410

Ensure you complete the form carefully following all the instructions.

Getting Married 

After changing your name upon marriage, it is necessary to update your records accordingly. If you have taken your husband’s surname then your marriage certificate will act as a sufficient proof of your name change and can be used to update your passport. In this case, a Deed Poll would not be required. However, if you are changing to a double-barrelled surname, your surname and your husband’s surname, it maybe necessary to apply for a Deed Poll, to ensure you are able to change over your documents.  

It is advisable that you change over your passport as soon as possible, as some countries will refuse you entry if your passport has not been updated into your new name, even if you have your marriage certificate. You can arrange for your passport to be updated into you marriage name before the wedding takes place, but you will only be able to use your passport after the official ceremony.

Civil Partnerships 

If you have entered into a Civil Partnership, you can use your Civil Partnership certificate to change your passport over to your new surname. As when getting married, it is important to change over your passport as early as possible, as some countries may refuse you entry if your passport has not been updated, regardless of whether or not you have your Civil Partnership Certificate. It can be arranged for your passport to be updated into your new name before your civil partnership takes place, but it will only be valid for use once the ceremony has taken place.  

Divorces and Separations  

After getting divorced, you may decide to revert to your maiden name before marriage. In order to change your surname your Decree Absolute or Deed Poll would be required and would need to be sent to the Passport Office and other departments for your records to be updated. 

After the dissolution of a Civil Partnership, you can use your Civil Partnership Dissolution Certificate or a Deed Poll to change your records back to your former name.  

If you separate from your partner, and wish to revert back to your former surname then it would be necessary to apply for a Deed Poll to change the name on your passport and other documents.

Apply online to change your name by Deed Poll or call  0800 983 0143 for more information.

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