Changing Your Name by Usage

So, Why is Changing Your Name by Usage No Longer Possible?

It used to be the case that you could change your name simply by starting to use a different one. Without following any formal name change procedure, you could often have all your records changed to your new name. But in recent years it’s no longer possible for you to legally changing your name by usage.

Today if you attempt to change your name by usage and start informing the relevant authorities of your name change, you will have little success. Government departments such as the Identity and Passport Service and DVLA will always ask for documentary evidence of your name change before amending any of their records. Even other less important organisations will need sighting of documentary evidence or at least a copy of such a document.

In order to change your name, you can apply for a Deed Poll document which will provide sufficient evidence of your name change. You can then have all of your records updated into your new name, including the name on your passport.

Although it is not possible to change your name by usage which was arguably the easiest way to go about a name change, you can apply to change your name online from the comfort of your home, office, or any place you like! There are plenty of reasons why someone would want to change their name, from name change on upon Marriage, Divorce, Adoption, or even just to feel more like ‘you’.