6 articles about passport
Changing a child's name doesn't stop with the Deed Poll. The next steps—updating the Passport Office and the school—can be bureaucratic minefields. We explain the strict consent rules for passports, the difference between 'legal' and 'known as' names in schools, and how to handle exam certificates.
Conflict over surnames with your teen? We explain the strict UK laws regarding children aged 16+ and the "Gillick Competence" test for younger teens. Find out why you cannot force a name change on a child who says "no," even if you are the legal parent.
The honeymoon is booked, but what name should be on the ticket? We explain the strict rules for updating your UK passport and driving licence after marriage, including costs, forms (D1 vs PD2), and the critical "golden rule" for travel.
Want to be "User_123" or "Ke$ha"? We explain why the UK Passport Office strictly forbids numbers and symbols, and the only punctuation marks they actually allow.
Want to be like Cher or Madonna? We explain the legal reality of having a "mononym" (single name) in the UK, and why the Passport Office might force you to be "Mr XXX".
In the UK, you have the freedom to choose almost any name you like—but there are limits. Discover the 5 types of names the Passport Office will reject, from offensive words to presumed titles.