To renew your UK passport into your new name, apply online at GOV.UK, pay the £102 fee (or £115.50 by post), and send your current passport plus proof of the change - your original wet-ink deed poll, marriage certificate or decree absolute. Most applications are processed within about three weeks, and fast-track options can turn it around in one week (£192) or even the next working day (£239.50). This guide walks you through every step so your new passport arrives without delays.
Before you start: when to renew vs. update
There is no separate “name change” service for an existing passport - you change the name by applying for a brand-new one through the standard renewal route. You can do this at any time, even if your current passport has years left on it; HM Passport Office simply issues a fresh document and cancels the old one. The old passport is returned to you with the corners clipped, so you can keep it as a memento or for visa records.
If you are getting married and want your new passport to be valid for travel from the wedding day, you don’t use this renewal route at all - you apply up to three months ahead using the PD2 form. We cover that separately in our guide to the PD2 form for a pre-wedding passport name change. Everyone else - deed poll, divorce, or a marriage that has already happened - follows the steps below.
Step 1: Get your proof-of-name document ready
HM Passport Office will only issue a passport in your new name if you can prove the change with an acceptable original document. Which one you need depends on how you changed your name:
Changing your name by deed poll
You need your original, wet-ink signed deed poll - not a photocopy or scan. The Passport Office returns it to you afterwards. An unenrolled deed poll is perfectly acceptable; you do not need to pay to enrol it at the Royal Courts of Justice (£53.05) or publish your change in the London Gazette, as enrolment adds no legal validity. Around 98% of UK name changes are unenrolled, and HMPO accepts them every day. If you haven’t made yours yet, our adult deed poll service produces a professionally printed document from £14.49, with same-day dispatch on orders placed before 3pm.
The acceptance rules can be strict on the finer points - wording, witnessing and supporting evidence - so it is worth reading our detailed guide to whether HM Passport Office accepts deed polls and the strict rules before you apply.
Changing your name through marriage or civil partnership
Send your original full marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (the full version showing parents’ details, not the shorter standard certificate). You do not need a deed poll to take your spouse’s surname - the certificate is your proof.
Reverting to your maiden name after divorce
You can usually revert using your decree absolute (or final order) together with your birth certificate or original marriage certificate. If you want a different surname - not your maiden name and not your married name - you will need a deed poll instead.
Step 2: Sort your documents and photo
Alongside your proof of name, gather:
- Your current or most recently expired UK passport, which must be physically returned and will be cancelled.
- A digital photo. For an online application you upload a code from a participating photo booth or shop, or take a photo on your phone that meets the GOV.UK rules. For a paper application you send two printed photos, one signed on the back by your countersignatory.
- A countersignatory if it is a first adult passport, a child passport, or your appearance has changed significantly - someone who has known you for at least two years and isn’t a relative.
One common pitfall: make sure the name on your supporting document exactly matches the name you want on the passport. If there is a spelling mismatch between, say, your birth certificate and your deed poll, resolve it first - see our guide to resolving name discrepancies between your passport and birth certificate.
Step 3: Apply and pay
The cheapest and fastest route is online at GOV.UK:
- Online application: £102 for a standard adult passport.
- Paper application: £115.50 - pick up form C1 from the Post Office if you can’t apply online.
When you apply online, you complete the form, upload your photo, pay by card, and are told where to post your supporting documents (current passport plus your proof of name). Use a tracked or signed-for postal service so you can prove they were sent. Your original deed poll, certificate or decree absolute is returned to you separately from the new passport - often in a different envelope and on a different day, so don’t panic if one arrives before the other.
If you applied on paper, you post the completed form, photos and documents together to HMPO using the address on the form.
Step 4: Know the processing times
HM Passport Office advises allowing up to around three weeks for a standard renewal, though many come back sooner. Build in extra time during the spring and summer peak, when demand is highest. Two rules of thumb that save real headaches:
- Do not book non-refundable travel until your new passport is in your hand.
- Renew well ahead of any trip - many countries require at least six months’ validity remaining on your passport on the date you enter.
Step 5: Need it faster? Fast-track options
If you’re up against a deadline, HM Passport Office offers two premium services, both booked by appointment at a passport office:
- 1 Week Fast Track-£192: you attend an appointment and your new passport is delivered within roughly one week.
- 1 Day Premium-£239.50: you collect your passport in person on the same day as your appointment (typically available for straightforward renewals).
Availability of premium and fast-track appointments varies, especially at busy times, so book as early as you can. Note that some complex name-change cases may not qualify for the one-day service - check when booking.
Step 6: After your new passport arrives
Your passport is one of several records that should carry your new name, but it is not the only one - and crucially, you do not need a new passport before you start updating other organisations. Your deed poll alone is enough to update most of them, and the great news is that the rest are free:
- DVLA driving licence: free to update.
- HMRC, NHS, your bank, employer and utility providers: all free to update with your deed poll or certificate.
Banks, the DVLA and the Passport Office all want to see the original wet-ink document, so keep it safe and clean - you’ll be posting or presenting it several times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to change the name on a UK passport in 2026?
The passport itself costs £102 online or £115.50 by post for a standard adult renewal - there is no extra charge for changing the name. If you change your name by deed poll, the only additional cost is the deed poll document, from £14.49.
Can I renew my passport with a new name if my current one hasn’t expired?
Yes. You can apply for a new passport in your new name at any time, regardless of how long is left on the old one. HMPO issues a fresh passport and returns your cancelled old one with the corners clipped.
Does HM Passport Office accept an unenrolled deed poll?
Yes - an unenrolled deed poll is legally valid and accepted by HM Passport Office, provided it is the original wet-ink document and properly witnessed. Enrolling at the Royal Courts of Justice (£53.05) is optional and adds no legal weight. See our guide on the strict rules HMPO applies to deed polls.
How long does a passport name change take?
Allow up to around three weeks for a standard application, longer in peak season. If you’re in a hurry, the 1 Week Fast Track (£192) or 1 Day Premium (£239.50) services are available by appointment.
Will I get my deed poll and certificates back?
Yes. HM Passport Office returns your original supporting documents, usually separately from your new passport, so don’t worry if they arrive on different days.
Do I need a solicitor to change my name for a passport?
No. A solicitor would typically charge £150-£300 or more for a document you can get yourself from £14.49. HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC, your bank and the NHS all accept a properly executed deed poll without solicitor involvement.
Ready to change your name the easy way?
Get a professionally printed, legally valid deed poll trusted by more than 160,000 customers and ready for your passport renewal. Order our adult deed poll from £14.49, with same-day dispatch before 3pm and free Royal Mail Tracked delivery - then follow the steps above to get your passport sorted in your new name.
