Yes - you can change your name back to your original or birth name in the UK at any time, and there is no limit on how often you can do it. In most cases you simply make a new deed poll declaring that you are reverting to your original name. Where you are returning to the exact name on your birth certificate, that certificate can sometimes serve as evidence in its own right - but a deed poll is the cleanest, most widely accepted route for updating every record. Below is exactly how to revert and how to update each of your documents.
Can you legally change your name back to your original name?
You have an absolute right to be known by any lawful name in England and Wales, and that includes a name you previously held. Whether you changed your name through marriage, a previous deed poll, or simply by usage, you can go back to your earlier name whenever you like. The law does not treat your original name as more “real” than later ones - you are just choosing which name you now wish to use and proving that choice to the organisations that hold your records.
People revert for all sorts of reasons: a relationship has ended, a chosen name no longer fits, professional records have become inconsistent, or you simply prefer the name you grew up with. The mechanism is the same regardless of the reason, and you do not have to explain or justify it to anyone.
Birth certificate vs deed poll: which evidence do you need?
There are two ways to prove a reversion to an original name, and which one works depends on your exact situation.
Using your birth certificate as evidence
If you are returning to the precise name recorded on your birth certificate, some organisations will update your records on the strength of the certificate alone, especially where they can see a clear documentary trail back to it. This is most straightforward when you can also show the documents that link your current name to your birth name - for example a marriage certificate (where you took a spouse’s surname) or your previous deed poll.
In practice, though, relying on a birth certificate alone is hit and miss. Not every body accepts it, the rules vary between banks, employers and government departments, and a long paper chain of certificates can be cumbersome. If your original name differs in any way from what is written on your birth certificate - a different spelling, a dropped middle name, an adopted surname - the certificate will not cover the change at all.
Using a deed poll to revert
A deed poll is the universal solution. It is a single document declaring that you have abandoned your current name and adopted your original name, and it is accepted by HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC, the NHS, banks, employers and schools. Because it works for every record in one go - and regardless of whether your target name matches your birth certificate exactly - most people who revert choose a deed poll for certainty and simplicity. Around 98% of UK name changes are made with an unenrolled deed poll, and our adult deed poll service produces a professionally printed, legally valid document from £14.49.
How to change your name back, step by step
- Decide on the exact name. Spell it precisely as you want it to appear - including middle names and any hyphens - matching your birth certificate or previous records where relevant.
- Get your deed poll. Order an unenrolled deed poll, which is the standard, fully recognised type. There is no need to pay a solicitor £150-£300+ for the same document.
- Sign it with a witness. You must sign the original in wet ink in front of an independent adult witness aged 18 or over. The witness cannot be a relative, your partner, or anyone who lives at your address.
- Update your records. Send or show the original signed deed poll to each organisation. Keep the original safe - HM Passport Office, the DVLA and banks need the original wet-ink document, not a photocopy.
Anyone aged 16 or over can change their own name and sign their own deed poll. For under-16s, everyone with parental responsibility must consent.
Do you need to enrol your deed poll?
No. An unenrolled deed poll is legally valid on its own and is all you need to revert to your original name. Enrolment at the Royal Courts of Justice is entirely optional, costs £53.05, takes 2-3 weeks, and publishes your name change publicly in the London Gazette - but it adds no legal validity whatsoever. For the overwhelming majority of people reverting to a former name, it is an unnecessary expense.
Updating your records after you revert
Once you have your signed deed poll, work through your documents. Most updates are free; the only notable cost is a new passport.
- Passport: a new adult passport in your original name is £102 online or £115.50 by post. If you are travelling soon, the 1-week Fast Track is £192 and the 1-day Premium service is £239.50.
- Driving licence: updating your name with the DVLA is free.
- Banks, HMRC, NHS, employer, utilities: all free to update - simply present your deed poll.
A quick note on titles: a title such as Mr, Mrs, Ms, Mx or Dr is not legally part of your name, so you do not need a deed poll to change one. If you are reverting after a relationship ended, you can switch from, say, Mrs back to Ms just by telling the relevant organisations.
Reverting a maiden name vs reverting any original name
If you are specifically going back to your maiden name after a divorce or separation, there are a couple of extra options - such as using your marriage certificate together with your decree absolute - that don’t apply to other reversions. We cover those in detail in our guide on reverting to your maiden name after divorce. For every other situation - reverting after a previous deed poll, going back to a childhood name, or undoing any earlier change - the deed poll route described here is the way to do it. And because there is no legal cap on reversions, you can read more about the rules in our guide to how often you can change your name in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can I change my name back and forth?
There is no legal limit. You can revert to your original name and, if you wished, change it again later. Each change simply needs its own deed poll so that you always have current evidence of the name you are using.
Can I just use my birth certificate to go back to my original name?
Sometimes - if you are returning to the exact name on your birth certificate and can show the documents linking your current name to it, some organisations will accept the certificate. However, acceptance varies and it won’t cover any spelling differences or changes that aren’t reflected on the certificate. A deed poll removes all of that uncertainty.
Will my old documents still show my changed name?
Historic documents keep the name they were issued in, which is normal. Once you revert, you update each record going forward using your deed poll, so new and reissued documents show your original name.
Do I need to tell anyone that I am changing my name back?
You don’t need anyone’s permission to revert if you are 16 or over, and you don’t have to give a reason. You only need to notify the organisations that hold your records so they can update them.
Is an unenrolled deed poll really accepted everywhere?
Yes. An unenrolled deed poll is accepted by HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC, banks, the NHS, employers and schools. Remember they need the original wet-ink signed document, not a copy.
Ready to change your name back?
Going back to your original or birth name is straightforward with the right document. Get a professionally printed, legally valid deed poll to revert to your original name from £14.49, with same-day dispatch on orders placed before 3pm and free Royal Mail Tracked delivery. Trusted by more than 160,000 customers, it’s the simple way to become yourself again.
