Changing your name
It is perfectly legal for anyone in the UK over the age of 16 to change their name to whatever they wish.
Contact Details:
Telephone: 023 8091 5327
Details of service:
It is perfectly legal for anyone in the UK over the age of 16 to change their name to whatever they wish provided they are not doing so to defraud anyone. Your name can be changed by common usage i.e. simply by informing people that from now on you are going to be known by the other name. However, if you want to obtain certain documents like a passport or driving licence, or amend current documents into your new name, then you will probably need to provide evidence of your change of name. This can be done by having a Deed Poll or Statutory Declaration drawn up by a Solicitor. You can then produce this document along with your birth certificate (which cannot be changed) whenever you are required to prove your identity.
If you are changing your name following marriage or civil partnership your certificate will be sufficient evidence to have your name altered at banks, passport agency and other institutions.
Can I change my child's forename(s)?
Your child's first name(s) can be changed within 12 months of the date of the registration of the birth and a new birth certificate issued.
Can I change my child's surname?
If the parents of a child have married each other since the birth was registered the birth should be re-registered to accurately record the current legal status of the child.
How do I correct a mistake in my child's name?
If you made a mistake in the original birth registration it will be necessary for the person who registered the birth to prove that an error exists.
Last updated: 13 July 2007
