Updating Your Passport

Since you have changed your name by Deed Poll, your Deed Poll document will need to be sent to the Passport Office. This is proof of your name change to be sent along with the official form for updating your passport. The original Deed Poll document is required. To clarify, a photocopy is not acceptable even if certified.

Updating your passport can be done in the following ways;

• Visiting the Post Office or WorldChoice Travel agents to collect an application form.
• By visiting www.gov.uk and either;
• Filling in the online form to request an application form 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. In other words, updating your passport could be delayed weeks or even months if the form is not completely and appropriately filled out.

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’s 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, dissolving a Civil Partnership, or separating from your partner, you may decide to revert to your maiden name or name before marriage. In order to change your surname, the following must be sent to the passport office along with the completed application for a passport;

• Your birth certificate.
• A signed statement by you saying you’ve gone back to a previous surname (for example your maiden name) ‘for all purposes’  and you will not use your married or civil partnership name at all.
• An official document that showing use of your new name (for example a payslip, or a letter from your local council).
• Decree absolute or final order showing both names.
• Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate showing both names – if you do not have it you need to order a copy.

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 is necessary to apply for a Deed Poll to change the name on your passport and other documents.