To change your name on the electoral register in the UK, you re-register to vote under your new name at gov.uk/register-to-vote. There is no separate “amend my name” button — registering again with your new details simply replaces your old entry. It is completely free, takes about five minutes online, and your local Electoral Registration Office may ask to see evidence of the change, such as your deed poll or marriage certificate.
Staying on the register matters for more than just voting. The electoral roll is one of the first things lenders check when you apply for credit, so an out-of-date name can quietly cause problems long before the next election. Below we walk through exactly how to update it, what proof you may need, and why it is worth doing promptly.
Does your name update automatically, or do you need a deed poll?
Your name on the electoral register never updates on its own. The register is maintained by your local council’s Electoral Registration Office, and they only know you have changed your name when you tell them. Even if you have already updated your passport or bank, none of that feeds through automatically — you have to make a fresh application.
To prove the change, the Electoral Registration Office will normally want to see documentary evidence linking your old name to your new one. For most people that is an unenrolled deed poll, which is the standard UK document used in around 98% of name changes. It is legally valid the moment you sign it in front of an independent adult witness — no court, solicitor or government approval is needed — and it is accepted by electoral services just as an enrolled deed poll or a marriage certificate would be. If your name changed through marriage or civil partnership, that certificate does the same job. You can read more in our simple guide to unenrolled deed polls.
How to change your name on the electoral register, step by step
The quickest route is online, but you can also do it by post. Here is the process:
- Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote and start a new registration. This is the same service you would use as a first-time voter — you are effectively registering afresh under your new name.
- Have your National Insurance number to hand. You will also need your date of birth and address. Registration usually takes about five minutes.
- Enter your new name, and when asked, give your most recent previous name. This is the crucial step that tells the system your entry has changed rather than creating a duplicate.
- Submit the application. Your local Electoral Registration Office processes it and may contact you to confirm details or ask for evidence.
- Provide proof if requested. If they ask, send a copy of your deed poll (or marriage certificate). Many councils let you email a scanned copy directly to their electoral services team, which can be faster than the online form.
If you would rather not register online, contact your Electoral Registration Office — you can find yours via gov.uk — and ask for a paper form, or email them your old name, new name, address and a scan of your evidence. Either way, the end result is the same: your old entry is replaced with your new name.
Timing, fees and proof they’ll ask for
Updating your name on the electoral register is free. There is no charge to register or re-register at any time of year.
Processing usually takes a couple of weeks, though it can be longer in the run-up to an election when registration offices are busy. It is worth doing well ahead of any poll: to vote in an election you generally need to be registered under your current name by the published deadline, which is around twelve working days before polling day.
On evidence, acceptable documents typically include an unenrolled deed poll, an enrolled deed poll, a change-of-name deed, or a marriage or civil partnership certificate. What matters is that the document shows a clear link between the name you are currently registered under and your new name. Not every council asks to see proof up front, but it is sensible to have your deed poll ready in case they do.
The open register vs the full register — and why it matters for credit
There are two versions of the electoral register, and it helps to understand the difference when you re-register.
The full register lists everyone who is registered to vote. It is used for elections, for detecting and preventing crime and fraud, for jury summoning, and — importantly — by credit reference agencies to verify your name and address when you apply for credit. If your name on the full register does not match the name on a loan, mortgage, mobile contract or bank application, the check can fail or be delayed. Keeping the register current is one of the simplest things you can do to protect your credit footprint after a name change.
The open register (also called the edited register) is an extract that can be bought by any person or company and is often used for marketing. Being on it has no effect on your credit rating. When you re-register, you can choose to opt out of the open register without affecting your right to vote or your presence on the full register — a good box to tick if you would rather not receive marketing mail.
Common pitfalls people get wrong
- Assuming it updates itself. Updating your passport, licence or bank does nothing to your electoral entry — you must register again.
- Forgetting the “previous name” field. If you do not enter your old name, you risk creating a second, duplicate entry instead of updating the existing one.
- Leaving it until an election is announced. Register early so your new name is confirmed before any voting deadline.
- Not having evidence ready. If the council asks for proof and you cannot supply your deed poll promptly, the update can stall.
- Confusing the two registers. Opting out of the open register is fine and does not remove you from the full register that lenders check.
Related admin after a name change
The electoral register is just one entry on a longer list. It is usually best to sort your core photo ID first — passport and driving licence — then work through the rest. Our checklist for updating your ID walks through the priority order, and our guide to updating bank accounts and credit records pairs neatly with keeping the electoral roll current, since both feed into your credit profile.
While you’re dealing with your local council, it’s a good moment to change your name on your council tax too — it’s the same council, and also free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to change my name on the electoral register?
Yes. Registering or re-registering to vote is always free, whether you do it online at gov.uk or by contacting your local Electoral Registration Office.
Do I need a deed poll to update the electoral register?
You need evidence that links your old name to your new one. An unenrolled deed poll is accepted, as is an enrolled deed poll or a marriage or civil partnership certificate. Not every council asks for proof, but it is wise to have it ready.
Can I just amend my name, or do I have to register again?
There is no simple “amend name” option. You register again with your new details and give your most recent previous name, which replaces your old entry rather than duplicating it.
How long does it take to update?
Typically a couple of weeks, though it can take longer close to an election. To vote in a specific election, register by the deadline — usually about twelve working days before polling day.
Will changing my name on the register affect my credit score?
Keeping your name current on the full register helps credit checks match up, which is good for applications. Opting out of the open register has no effect on your credit rating at all.
What if I only registered under my old name recently?
It makes no difference. Simply register again under your new name and enter your previous name when prompted; the register is updated to reflect your current name.
Ready to Change Your Name?
Before you re-register to vote, you will need a valid deed poll to prove the change. We provide a professionally printed unenrolled deed poll from £14.49, accepted by electoral services, HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC, the NHS and UK banks. The online order takes around four minutes, we dispatch same-day on orders placed before 3pm, and delivery is by free Royal Mail Tracked. More than 160,000 people across the UK have changed their name with us — get your deed poll sorted, then update the electoral register in a few minutes online.