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This information applies to England and Wales
How to change your name
If you wish to be known by a different name you can change your name at any time, provided you do not intend to deceive or defraud another person. There is no legal procedure to follow in order to change a name. You simply start using the new name. You can change your forename or surname, add names or rearrange your existing names.
Although there is no legal way to change a name, you may want evidence that you have changed your name (see under heading Evidence of change of name). However, you cannot change details on your birth certificate, except in limited circumstances.
Changing details on a birth certificate can be complicated. If you wish to do this you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by e-mail, click on nearest CAB.
Once you have decided to change your name, you can use the new name for all purposes, for example, publishing marriage bans, legal proceedings and obtaining, or changing details on a driving licence or passport.
Changing a child’s name
A child’s name can be changed at any time, provided it is not to deceive or defraud another person. There is no legal procedure which must be followed in order to change a child’s name, providing all the people who need to give their consent have done so. The parent simply starts using the new name. A child’s forename or surname can be changed, names can be added or rearranged.
Although there is no legal way to change a child’s name, you may need evidence that a child’s name has been changed (see under heading Evidence of change of name). However, the details on a child’s birth certificate cannot be changed, except in limited circumstances.
Changing details on a child’s birth certificate can be complicated. If you wish to do so you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
If you are a child or young person under 16 your consent does not have to be given for your name to be changed. However, if you object to your name being changed you can apply for a court order to prevent the change, provided the court is satisfied that you have sufficient understanding of what is involved.
As a child or young person under 16 you cannot change your surname without your parent’s consent.
Once a child’s name has been changed it can be used for all purposes, such as starting school and registering with a GP. However, evidence may be required (see under heading Evidence of change of name).
Who can change a child’s name
You have to have parental responsibility to change a child's name. A birth mother will always have parental responsibility for the child but other people may have parental responsibility too. For example, if the parents of a child are married, both will have parental responsibility. An unmarried father may have acquired parental responsibility. Or if the mother is in a civil partnership, the other civil partner may have acquired parental responsibility.
If two or more people have parental responsibility for the child, one of them can only change the child’s name if all the others agree. Such agreements do not need to be in writing.
If there is a residence order in force, a child’s name cannot be changed without the written agreement of anyone else who has parental responsibility or the permission of the court.
For more information on residence orders, see Ending a marriage, Ending a relationship when you're living together or Ending a civil partnership.
For more information about parental responsibility, see Children at the end of your relationship in Ending a relationship when you're living together or Children at the end of a civil partnership in Ending a civil partnership.
Getting married or registering a civil partnership
If you change your name when you get married or when you register a civil partnership, a copy of the marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate will usually be enough evidence that you have changed your name.
Getting divorced or dissolving a civil partnership
If you get divorced or dissolve your civil partnership, you may wish to go back to using the name you had before. A copy of the divorce certificate or dissolution certificate will usually be enough evidence that you have changed your name. If you want to go back to the name you were born with, you might need to provide a birth certificate.
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Evidence of change of name
You do not need legal proof that you have changed your name, provided that you can be identified by your new chosen name. However, there are some circumstances, for example, applying for a passport, when additional evidence of the change of name is required. The evidence required varies depending on the purpose for which it is needed and can include:-
- a letter from a responsible person
- a public announcement
- a statutory declaration
- a deed poll.
Letter
A letter from a responsible person, such as a GP, solicitor, minister, priest or MP, will often be enough evidence that you have changed your name. The letter should state that the person has known you in both names and that the change of name is to be used for all purposes. A letter will not be enough evidence if you are applying for a UK passport.
Public announcement
You may want to record your name change by placing an advertisement in a local or national newspaper. This should state that you have stopped using your previous name and have assumed a new one. A copy of the advertisement can then be used as evidence that you have changed your name.
Statutory declaration
For most purposes, a statutory declaration is generally accepted as evidence of your change of name.
A statutory declaration is a statement, recording your intention to abandon your old name and adopt a new one.
Preparing a statutory declaration can be complicated. If you want to prove your change of name by making a statutory declaration you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Deed poll
A deed poll is a formal statement to prove that your name has been changed. For most people it will not be necessary to prepare a deed poll as evidence that they have changed their name. However, there may be cases when a deed poll is required. For example, some professional bodies require members to produce a deed poll as proof of any name change.
As a child or young person under 18 you can only have your change of name recorded by deed poll by a person who has parental responsibility for you. However, if you are over 16, this can only be done with your consent.
For more information about parental responsibility, see Children at the end of your relationship in Ending a relationship when you're living together or Children at the end of a civil partnership in Ending a civil partnership.
Changing your name by deed poll can be complicated. If you want to use a deed poll as evidence of change of name you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
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