Guidance on the legal rules and procedures for changing your name in the UK, including deed polls, age requirements, and consent.
Can you really name yourself anything in the UK? No. We reveal the official list of banned names that the Passport Office will reject, including offensive language, titles like "Lord" or "Doctor," and symbols.
Confused about what documents the Passport Office will accept? We list the "Golden Ticket" documents that act as legal proof of name change in the UK.
Am I allowed to change my name? We outline the 5 legal requirements in the UK, including age limits, banned names, and witness rules.
Do deed polls expire? We explain the rules on validity, why you shouldn't wait to update your passport, and what to do if you lose your original document.
Do you actually need a deed poll? We list the 7 mandatory scenarios where a marriage certificate isn't enough, including changing first names, meshing surnames, and trans identity changes.
Looking to change your name for free? We list the 5 official scenarios where you don't need a deed poll, including marriage, divorce, and new birth registrations.
