About changing the name of more than one person

Family members can apply for a deed poll at the same time, at a reduced price.

If you're making an application for more than one person, you should just go ahead and fill in the form for any one of the people applying. When you have finished, you will be asked if you want to add more people to the application.

Eligibility
You can apply for your deed poll now, so you’ve got it ready to sign on your 16th birthday (or any time afterwards).  Bear in mind that you won’t be able to use your new name until that time.
! Warning: Although you can legally change your own name once you’re 16, you may still need the consent of everyone with parental responsibility for you, if you’re subject to any court orders which are still in force after you’ve turned 16.

Note: We only need to know about any court orders which are stillwill still be in force after you’ve turned 16

Please provide the following details for each court order you’re a subject of —

  • whether the court order was made in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, or outside of the U.K.
  • when the court order comes to an end (will no longer be in force)

Note: Please choose the first option that applies to you

Note: British national means someone who holds a kind of British nationality, and can be a British citizen, British National (Overseas), British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, or British Subject

Note: U.K. in this context means England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands

Note: Dual nationality is also known as “dual citizenship” or “multiple citizenship”

Dual nationals

As a dual national (i.e. British and another country), you can change your U.K. documents and records (e.g. driving licence, NHS records, etc.) to be in your new name, using your deed poll as proof of your change of name.

To update your documents and records in your other country of nationality, you’ll need to follow the procedures in that country.

Bear in mind that HM Passport Office won’t allow you to hold a passport in a different name from any foreign passport, national identity card, or travel document you may hold (from your other country of nationality).

So if you hold a foreign passport or identity card, you’ll normally have to update it as well (to be in your new name).

Note: Only answer “yes” if you have a current (not expired) passport / national identity card / travel document, which was issued by a country other than the U.K.

Holders of foreign passports / identity cards / travel documents

As a holder of a non-British passport, national identity card, or travel document, HM Passport Office will only issue a British passport in your new name if —

  • you also update your passport / national identity card / travel document from your other country of nationality (to be in your new name)
  • you surrender all such documents, or have them “cancelled” by their issuing authority
  • you seek to give up (“renounce”) your other nationality
  • you’d be at risk of harm unless your name is changed, e.g. due to you being a victim of crime (such as domestic violence) or a vulnerable witness
  • there are other exceptional circumstances that would seriously and adversely affect your life in the U.K. unless your name is changed

(Of course, you can also choose to not hold a British passport, as there’s no legal requirement to have one.)

If you’re also transgender though, and you hold (or you’ve previously held) a non-British passport / national identity card / travel document in your previous gender, then you must either update it to be in your new name and gender, or else seek to give up (“renounce”) your other nationality.  It isn’t enough to surrender your documents or have them “cancelled” by their issuing authority.

Irish nationals

As an Irish national resident in the U.K., you can change your U.K. documents and records (e.g. driving licence, NHS records, etc.) to be in your new name, using your deed poll as proof of your change of name.

As a U.K. resident, you should be using a U.K. deed poll (not an Irish deed poll).

To change your Irish passport / identity card, you’ll need to show that you’ve been using your new name (in the U.K.) for two years, by showing an updated driving licence, pay slips, or bank statements etc. (in your new name).  These need to date back at least two years, so you’ll have to wait two years before you can do this.  You won’t normally need to show your deed poll though.

EEA / Swiss nationals

As an EEA / Swiss national resident in the U.K., you can change your U.K. documents and records (e.g. driving licence, NHS records, etc.) to be in your new name, using your deed poll as proof of your change of name.

However, to change your passport / EEA identity card, you’ll need to follow the procedures in your country of origin, who may not accept a U.K. deed poll.  Until you do this —

  • You’ll only be able to travel in and out of the U.K. in your old name — because you’ll still need to have a valid passport / EEA identity card when going through border control.
  • You may find it more difficult updating records in the U.K. on the basis that you’re using your new name “for all purposes” — especially if you continue to hold and use your passport / EEA identity card in your old name.
  • You won’t always be able to rely on your passport / EEA identity card as proof of your identity (seeing as it’ll still show your old name), although you’ll often be able to use it together with your deed poll.
  • If you want to apply for a Residence Card from the Home Office, it’ll be issued in the same name as on your passport / EEA identity card.  If you don’t hold a passport or identity card, the Home Office won’t issue you a Residence Card.  (It’s not a legal requirement to hold a Residence Card though, but you may need to apply for one for non-EEA family members or other dependants.)
  • If you apply for registration or naturalisation as a British citizen, your registration / naturalisation certificate will be issued in the same name as on your passport / EEA identity card.

It isn’t a legal requirement in the U.K. to hold a form of ID (except during the first 3 months you’re in the U.K.).  However, you won’t be able to travel outside the U.K. without a valid passport / EEA identity card.

If you do want to go ahead with a deed poll, you may consider applying for a (provisional) U.K. driving licence in your new name — even if you don’t drive — to generally use as ID within the U.K.

Foreign nationals

As a foreign national resident in the U.K., you can change your U.K. documents and records (e.g. driving licence, NHS records, etc.) to be in your new name, using your deed poll as proof of your change of name.

To update your passport / EEA identity card (if you haven’t already done so), you’ll need to follow the procedures of your country of origin.

If you’ve got a Residence Permit (or a ‘Biometric Residence Permit’ or ‘BRP’) — which normally has written on it just “Residence Permit” — you’ll need to keep it up-to-date (in your correct name).  However, you’ll need to update your passport / EEA identity card first.

You should update your BRP (to be in your new name) within 3 months of changing your name, or else you may be fined up to £ 1,000 or have your stay shortened.

If you’ve got a “Residence Card” (or a “Permanent Residence Card”, “Derivative Residence Card”, or “Accession Residence Card”), then there isn’t a legal requirement to keep it up-to-date, or a time limit within which you have to do so.  However, it’s still recommended to keep it in the same name as your passport

(Irish nationals don’t need to have a BRP, and nor do EEA / Swiss nationals who’re resident in the U.K. on the basis of EC Treaty rights.)

If you’re not an Irish / EEA / Swiss national, and you haven’t got a BRP already, you’ll get one when you apply for —

  • an extension / replacement of a U.K. visa
  • “limited leave to remain” in the U.K. which adds up to 6 months’ leave in total
  • “indefinite leave to remain” in the U.K. (leave to “settle” in the U.K.)
  • a Convention Travel Document
  • a Stateless Person’s Travel Document
  • a Certificate of Travel
Refugees, stateless people, and people with humanitarian protection

As a refugee, stateless person, or someone with humanitarian protection in the U.K., you can change your U.K. documents and records (e.g. driving licence, NHS records, etc.) to be in your new name, using your deed poll as proof of your change of name.

You can also update your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) — and you should do so within 3 months of changing your name, or else you may be fined up to £ 1,000 or have your stay shortened.

Asylum seekers

As someone seeking asylum in the U.K., you can change your U.K. documents and records (e.g. driving licence, NHS records, etc.) to be in your new name, using your deed poll as proof of your change of name.

If you’re asylum application is successful — and you’re granted permission to stay as a refugee, or you’re granted humanitarian protection — you’ll get a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which can be issued in your new name (as on your deed poll).

If you’re granted permission to stay for other reasons — because you don’t qualify as a refugee or for humanitarian protection — then you’ll get a BRP in the same name as on your passport / national identity card.  This would mean that your new name wouldn’t be recognised — and you’d have to change your name on your other U.K. records back, to match your BRP.  You can only use a new (different) name on your BRP if —

  • you’d be at risk of harm unless your name is changed, e.g. due to you being a victim of crime (such as domestic violence) or a vulnerable witness
  • you’re a transgender person whose country of origin doesn’t recognise changes to your name and / or gender
  • there are other exceptional circumstances that would seriously and adversely affect your life in the U.K. unless your name is changed
Foreign nationals applying for registration / naturalisation

If you're applying for registration or naturalisation as a British citizen, you can change your U.K. documents and records (e.g. driving licence, NHS records, etc.) to be in your new name, using a deed poll as proof of your change of name, but you might not be able to update some records — including your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) — until you've become a British citizen.

Your registration / naturalisation certificate will normally be issued in the same name as on your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), passport, national identity card, or travel document.

You can only use a new (different) name on your registration / naturalisation certificate if —

  • you’re a recognised refugee or stateless person
  • you’ve been granted humanitarian protection
  • you’d be at risk of harm unless your name is changed, e.g. due to you being a victim of crime (such as domestic violence) or a vulnerable witness
  • you’re a transgender person whose country of origin doesn’t recognise changes to your name and / or gender, and you already hold a BRP in your acquired name and gender
  • there are other exceptional circumstances that would seriously and adversely affect your life in the U.K. unless your name is changed

If none of these conditions applies to you, we’d recommend that you change your name (and sign your deed poll) after you’ve become a British citizen.  You can pre-order your deed poll now, if you wish, but you should wait to sign the document until when you’re a British citizen.  (The deed poll will only take effect once it’s been signed.)

Also bear in mind, that becoming a British citizen doesn’t (usually) take away the citizenship of your country of origin automatically — in which case you’ll become a dual national (unless you’re from a country which forbids dual nationality, such as Austria, China, India, Japan, or Norway).

If you’re a dual national (i.e. British and another nationality), HM Passport Office will only issue a British passport in your new name if —

  • you also update your passport / national identity card / travel document from your other country of nationality (to be in your new name); or
  • you surrender all such documents, or have them “cancelled” by their issuing authority; or
  • you seek to give up (“renounce”) your other nationality
Foreign nationals who cannot update their passport / EEA identity card to be in their new name

As a foreign national resident in the U.K., you can change your U.K. documents and records (e.g. driving licence, NHS records, etc.) to be in your new name — using your deed poll as proof of your change of name — so long as you’re also able to update your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) (if you’re required to hold one) to be in your new name.

If you’ve got a BRP, it needs to be kept up-to-date (in your correct name).
You might not have a BRP yet, but you’ll get one when you apply for —

  • an extension / replacement of a U.K. visa
  • “limited leave to remain” in the U.K. which adds up to 6 months’ leave in total
  • “indefinite leave to remain” in the U.K. (leave to “settle” in the U.K.)
  • a Convention Travel Document
  • a Stateless Person’s Travel Document
  • a Certificate of Travel

(This doesn’t apply to Irish nationals or EEA / Swiss nationals resident in the U.K. on the basis of EC Treaty rights — who can stay in the U.K. without a visa or “leave to remain”.)

The Home Office will normally issue your BRP in the same name as on your passport / EEA identity card.  If you want to change your BRP to be in your new name, the Home Office will expect you to update your passport / EEA identity card to be in your new name first.

You can only use a different name on your BRP — from what’s on your passport / EEA identity card — if —

  • you’re a recognised refugee or stateless person
  • you’ve been granted humanitarian protection
  • you’d be at risk of harm unless your name is changed, e.g. due to you being a victim of crime (such as domestic violence) or a vulnerable witness
  • you’re a transgender person whose country of origin doesn’t recognise changes to your name and / or gender
  • there are other exceptional circumstances that would seriously and adversely affect your life in the U.K. unless your name is changed

If one of these conditions applies to you, you can change your name (by deed poll) and update your BRP.  You should update your BRP within 3 months of changing your name, or else you may be fined up to £ 1,000 or have your stay shortened.

Otherwise, you cannot apply for a deed poll to change your name, because you won’t be able to update your BRP — and you’ll risk being fined up to £ 1,000 or having your stay shortened.

Foreign nationals resident outside the U.K.

As a foreign national resident outside the U.K., you should normally use the procedures of the country which you’re a national of, or the country where you’re resident.  A deed poll is intended for use in the U.K., and may not be acceptable as proof of your change of name.

If you have a specific need for a U.K. deed poll, then we’re happy to prepare one for you.  However, we cannot guarantee that it’ll be accepted as proof of your change of name.

Do you need to prove a past change of name?

You only need to fill in this section if:

  • you’ve lost your child’s deed poll / statutory declaration and you need a replacement
  • youyour child had yourtheir name changed in the past and you need proof

If you do need to prove a past change of name, we’ll prepare a retroactive deed poll or statutory declaration for you.  There’s an additional fee of £ 7.00 for this service.

Note: As part of this service, we may recommend that we prepare you a statutory declaration, instead of a deed poll.  A statutory declaration is a very similar document to a deed poll, but it needs to be witnessed by a solicitor.  If this is the case, we’ll discuss this with you before preparing your documents.

Please note that there’s a small fee for having a statutory declaration witnessed (payable to the solicitor) which is not included in our fee.

and — if known —

Note: Fill in the date as far as you know — we don’t need to know the exact date, but we do need to know at least the year

Note: If you’re now known by your married name (or your civil partner’s name), and you want to change your name (e.g. to your birth / maiden name), then you don’t need to prove a past change of name — please select “no, I want to make a new change of name” (above).
Parental responsibility

To change a child’s name, you must have consent from everyone with parental responsibility.  The following questions will work out who’s got parental responsibility for your child.

Note that this is not an authoritative decision on who has parental responsibility — there may be other people who have parental responsibility for your child.  For more information, see our guide on parental responsibility.

☞ The adoptive parents as appointed by the parental order each have birth mother has parental responsibility

Note: If the mother was married to a woman at this time, please answer “no”

Note: If the mother was married to a woman at this time, please answer “no”

Note: If the answer is “no” but you don’t want to say, you can just answer “yes”

☞ The father has parental responsibility The mother’s husband at the time she got pregnantof birth is legally presumed to be the father and to have parental responsibility — however, he won’t have parental responsibility if it’s proven that he isn’t the biological father

☞ The father is legally recognised as such, but he won’t have parental responsibility unless he has acquired it in some other way The mother’s husband at the time she got pregnant is legally presumed to be the father, but he won’t have parental responsibility unless he has acquired it in some other way — and he won’t be recognised as the father if it’s proven that he isn’t the biological father The mother’s husband at the time she got pregnantof birth is legally presumed to be the father and to have parental responsibility unless it’s proven that he isn’t the biological father The mother’s husband at the time of birth is legally presumed to be the father and to have parental responsibility unless it’s proven that he isn’t the biological father The mother’s husband at the time she got pregnant is legally presumed to be the father unless it’s proven that he isn’t the biological father — but he won’t have parental responsibility unless he has acquired it in some other way

☞ The mother’s husband at that time is the legal father and has parental responsibility

☞ The mother’s husband at that time is the legal father

☞ The mother’s civil partner or wife at the time is a legal parent (the second female parent) and has parental responsibility

☞ The mother’s husband at the time of birth is the legal father and has parental responsibility

☞ The man that received fertility treatment services together with the mother is the legal father

☞ The mother’s husband at the time of birth is the legal father and has parental responsibility

☞ The manwoman that made the formal agreement with the mother is the legal fathera legal parent (the second female parent)

☞ The second female parent has parental responsibility

☞ The man registered as the father has parental responsibility, even if it’s proven that he isn’t the biological father and he is removed from the birth registration, or the biological father’s details are added

☞ The man registered as the father is legally presumed to be the father and to have parental responsibility, unless it’s proven that he isn’t the biological father

☞ The man registered as the father has parental responsibility, even if it’s proven that he isn’t the biological father and he is removed from the birth registration, or the biological father’s details are added

☞ The man registered as the father is legally presumed to be the father and to have parental responsibility, unless it’s proven that he isn’t the biological father

☞ The second female parentfather has parental responsibility

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☞ The father or second female parent or step-parent(s) each have parental responsibility

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Note: You only need to tell us about orders that are still in force (that haven’t come to an end yet)

Note: These types of order all give parental responsibility to a local authority (a council)

☞ The local authority (council) which was awarded the order will have parental responsibility

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(e.g. “step-father”)

Note: This doesn’t apply to the mother or anyone who already had parental responsibility — we’re trying to find out if anyone else was given parental responsibility

☞ Anyone awarded an order has parental responsibility

☞ Any appointed guardians each have parental responsibility

☞ Any appointed guardians each have parental responsibility

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Note: The child’s mother or father can’t be appointed a special guardian

☞ Any appointed special guardians each have parental responsibility

No-one with parental responsibility

It is not clear if anyone has parental responsibility in this case.  The court should appoint someone to be the guardian of the child, and until that point no-one can change the child’s name without leave of the court.

People who’ve got parental responsibilityresponsibilities and rights
  • the surviving adoptive parents
  • the mother
  • the father
  • the second female parent
  • the man registered as the father on the original birth registration
  • anyone who entered into a parental responsibility agreement with the parents
  • the local authority looking after the child
  • anyone who the court gave parental responsibility through an order
  • the appointed guardians
  • the appointed special guardians

Note: Once someone’s got parental responsibilityresponsibilities and rights, they can’t lose it, transfer it, or give itthem, transfer them, or give them up — even if they’ve gone to prison, or had no contact with the child for many years.  It can only be lost if a court takes itThey can only be lost if a court takes them away.

You need to get consent to your child’s change of name according to the law of the country (or countries) which the child is a national of

As your child isn’t a British national, we cannot work out who needs to give consent to your child’s change of name.

Even if your child lives in the U.K., the question of whether your child’s name can and should be changed needs to be resolved according to the law of the country (or countries) which they’re a national of.

In the U.K., important decisions about a child can only be taken by those who have “parental responsibility” for the child.  In other countries, “parental responsibility” might not exist as a concept, but the law may talk about “custody”, “guardianship”, “residence”, and “parental rights” — which are things which are included in the concept of “parental responsibility” in the U.K.

Usually, the child’s mother and father should both give their consent, as well as any legal guardian of the child, and anyone who has custody of the child.  However, if you’re in any doubt about who should give consent, you should seek the advice of a solicitor.

You must try to make contact first, and ask for consentconsult them

It’s unlawful to change your child’s name without consent from everyone with parental responsibility — even if they haven’t had any contact with your child for several yearsconsulting with everyone with parental responsibilities and rights — as far as practical — and taking their views into account.

There are a number of ways you can get in touch with someone again.

If you still can’t find them, you’ll need to apply for a court order (or wait until your child is 16 so they can change their own name).

☞ Find out more about your options If you’ve taken all practical steps to get in touch with them, but you haven’t been able to — you can change your child’s name without their consent.

You cannot change your child’s name without consent

It’s unlawful to change your child’s name without consent from everyone with parental responsibility.

If you want to change their name regardless, you’ll need to apply for a court order (or wait until your child is 16 so they can change their own name).

☞ Find out more about your options

You cannot change your child’s name without consent

Your child’s name is subject to the law of the country (or countries) which they’re a national of.  You must get the necessary consent to change your child’s name from the parents / guardians who need to give consent according to the law of that country.

If you want to change their name regardless, you’ll need to follow the relevant procedures in the country which your child is a national of, which may mean starting court proceedings in that country.  You cannot normally start proceedings in the U.K.  Alternatively, you can wait until your child is legally an adult, so they can change their own name.

YourThe child’s sex and currentformer name
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Note: Enter yourthe child’s former first name and all middle names

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CurrentFormer name as it will be shown on the deed poll
YourThe child’s newcurrent name

Note: Enter yourthe child’s newcurrent first name and all middle names (even if you want them to staythey’ve stayed the same)

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NewCurrent name as it will be shown on the deed poll
Change of title

We can also add a change of title declaration on your deed poll, for no extra charge.

If you want to keep the title you already use, then please just select “no”.

You can only change to one of the titles listed here (Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms, or Mx).  If you want to adopt another title (e.g. Dr) you would just need to show proof (when required) that you can legitimately use that title (e.g. your degree).

 — to — 

Note: If you want to keep the title you already use, or adopt another title (e.g. “Dr” ) then please select “no”

What names you’reyour child is using on your records

! Warning: As your child’s driving licence / passport is still in yourtheir former name, youthey’re probably going to need a new deed poll.

Your child’s current legal name is the name youthey use generally, and particularly on official forms of ID.  The DVLA / Passport Office will therefore consider yourtheir change of name to be a new change of name.

So please consider carefully your answer above (that is — whether you need to prove a change of name that happened in the past).

(e.g. “France”)
Your home addressDetails of parent / guardian applying on the child’s behalfThe mother’s detailsThe father’s detailsThe second female parent’s detailsThe originally registered father’s detailsDetails of parent applying on the child’s behalfThe adoptive parent’s detailsThe step-parent’s detailsDetails of guardian applying on the child’s behalfDetails of special guardian applying on the child’s behalfDetails of local authority applying on the child’s behalf
Only the mother the father the second female parent the man registered as the father on the original birth certificate one of the adoptive parents the surviving adoptive parent one of the step-parents with parental responsibility one of the appointed guardians one of the appointed special guardians the local authority looking after the child can change the child’s name.  He She They It Enter the details of someone who has parental responsibility for the child.  They will have to sign the deed poll on the child’s behalf.
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Enter your main home address.the special guardian’s main home addressthe mother’s main home addressthe father’s main home addressthe second female parent’s main home addressthe originally registered father’s main home addressthe adoptive parent’s main home addressthe guardian’s main home addressthe step-parent’s main home addressthe grandparent’s main home addressthe aunt / uncle’s main home addressthe brother / sister’s main home addressthe foster parent’s main home addressthe main address of the local authoritythe main home address of the person with parental responsibilitythe mother’s main home addressthe father’s main home addressthe second female parent’s main home addressthe originally registered father’s main home addressthe adoptive parent’s main home addressthe adoptive parent’s main home addressthe guardian’s main home addressthe step-parent’s main home addressthe special guardian’s main home addressthe main address of the local authority — it doesn’t matter if the child lives at a different address.

This is usually the same address that’s on official documents such as your driving licence and bank statements, but this isn’t a crucial factor.

If you’re homeless and living in temporary accommodation (e.g. a long term hostel), use that address.

If you’re a long term patient in a psychiatric hospital, use the address of the hospital.

If you’re a prisoner on long term remand, use the address of the prison.

Miscellaneous information
These are other things we need to know that may affect the document we prepare for you.

Note: You cannot be treated as “unable” to make a decision just because you need help to make or communicate your decision

Making a decision on behalf of another person (to change their name)

The person making the decision to change your name will need to sign your deed poll on your behalf.  We’ll make clear in the instructions we send you how the document has to be signed.

When you update your records and documents to be in your new name, you’ll need to show proof of that person’s authorisation to make decisions on your behalf (e.g. a copy of the Power of Attorney or the Court of Protection order).

The person acting on your behalf must make sure that:

  • they’re authorised to make a decision about your change of name (which will be a decision about your welfare)
  • any other people authorised to make decisions for you has agreed to the change of name, if they’ve been appointed “jointly”
Someone needs to be authorised to make a decision for you

You need to either have the capacity to make a decision about your change of your name yourself, or have someone else (or a court) make the decision for you.  If you don’t have capacity, then this person will have to be appointed by a court.

Bear in mind that you cannot be treated as “unable” to make a decision just because you need help to make or communicate your decision.  Before anyone makes a decision on your behalf, they must try all practicable steps to help you make your own decision and then to communicate what you’ve decided (whether by human or mechanical means).

Note: This person will sign your deed poll on your behalf

Note: If there’s another person who’s been authorised to make decisions for you, and they’re acting jointly, please include their full name(s) and address(es) in the “additional comments” section (below)

Note: This could be because you’rethe parent / guardian is illiterate, or unable to read because of dyslexia, blindness, or another physical illness / disability, or unable to understand written English

Note: You’ll be responsible for making any enlargement or translated copy of the deed poll — we cannot provide it for you

Note: You don’t have to actually sign your name — you can put any kind of initial or mark on the document, using your hand, foot, mouth, or otherwise

Note: This doesn’t apply to pharmacists registered only in Northern Ireland or outside the U.K.

(please specify)
Additional comments
Please use this space to provide any additional information or comments that may help us in processing your application.
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