Once you have signed your deed poll, your name is legally changed. However, for most people, the process doesn't feel "real" until they see their new name printed on their passport.
Updating your passport is the most critical step in the name change journey, but it is also the most rigorous. HM Passport Office has strict standards, and a single mistake on your application can lead to weeks of delays. Here is our step-by-step guide to updating your passport efficiently in 2025.
Step 1: Timing is Everything
Before you fill out a single form, check your calendar.
The Golden Rule: Never book flights in your new name until your new passport has physically arrived. Passport processing times can fluctuate wildly depending on the season (summer is busiest).
If you have a holiday booked for next month in your old name, it is often safer to travel on your old passport and update it when you return. Your ticket name must match your passport name exactly—airlines will deny you boarding if there is a mismatch.
Step 2: Apply Online (It’s Cheaper and Faster)
You can still pick up a paper application form from the Post Office, but we strongly advise against it. The paper route is slower, more prone to errors, and more expensive (£107.00 vs £94.50 online).
Go to the official GOV.UK website to start your application. When asked, select that you are applying for a "Renewal" because you have changed your name.
The Photo Hack
The online system allows you to upload a digital photo from your smartphone. You do not need to pay for a photo booth. Simply stand against a plain light-coloured wall, have a friend take the photo (no selfies allowed), and upload it. The system will tell you instantly if the photo meets the criteria.
Step 3: Sending Your Documents
Once you have paid the fee online, you will be given a PEX (Passport Application) reference number and an address to send your documents to. This is the part where most people slip up.
You must send the following:
- Your Old Passport: This will be cancelled and returned to you (with the corner snipped off) separately.
- The Original Deed Poll: HM Passport Office does not accept photocopies. You must send the original document with the wet ink signatures.
Important: If you are an unenrolled deed poll user (which is most of our customers), you generally do not need to have your identity verified by a countersignatory unless your appearance has changed significantly.
Step 4: Secure Delivery
We cannot stress this enough: Do not use a standard stamp.
Your old passport and your original deed poll are valuable documents. If they go missing in the post, you face a nightmare of identity theft risks and replacement costs. Go to the Post Office and purchase Special Delivery Guaranteed. It costs around £7-£9, but it tracks your documents all the way to the Passport Office intake desk.
Step 5: The Waiting Game
Once your documents are received, the Passport Office will process your application. If everything is in order, your new passport will be sent to you via secure courier.
Your supporting documents (the deed poll and old passport) will usually be returned in a separate envelope a few days later.
Summary Checklist
- Check: Ensure you have no immediate travel plans.
- Apply: Complete the form on GOV.UK using a digital photo.
- Send: Post your old passport and original deed poll via Special Delivery.
- Wait: Do not book flights until the new passport is in your hand.
Conclusion
Updating your passport is the final seal on your name change process. While it involves a bit of paperwork, doing it online is efficient and secure.
Remember, the Passport Office will reject any deed poll that isn't worded correctly or signed properly. To ensure your application sails through without rejection, make sure you start with a guaranteed deed poll from us.