Name Changes for Life Events

Marriage, divorce, bereavement, new beginnings.

People change their names for all sorts of reasons. Marriage is the most common, but divorce, bereavement, adoption, moving to the UK, and simply wanting a fresh start all bring their own questions. These guides cover when a deed poll is the right tool, when another document (such as a marriage certificate) does the job instead, and what to expect whichever route applies to you.

Change Your Name by Choice You don't need a reason. In the UK, you can choose any name you like. → Changing Back to Your Maiden Name Reclaiming your maiden name: with a deed poll or without one. → Changing Your Name After Adoption in the UK An adoption certificate covers the registration; a deed poll handles everything else. → Changing Your Name After Bereavement Taking a late partner's name, or honouring them in a new name: a deed poll makes it legal. → Changing Your Name After Divorce Reclaim your name after a divorce, or choose something completely new. → Changing Your Name After Marriage When your marriage certificate is enough, and when you need a deed poll. → Changing Your Name During Separation You don't need to wait for the divorce to be finalised. A deed poll works now. → Changing Your Name When Moving to the UK A deed poll changes your name in UK records. Here's what it can and can't do. → Changing Your Name for Safety Reasons A deed poll lets you take a new name quickly and privately, without creating a public record. → Changing Your Name for Safety: Harassment and Stalking A deed poll lets you take a new name quickly and privately. No court, no public record. → Creating a Double-Barrelled Surname in the UK Combine two surnames into one using a deed poll, with or without a hyphen. → Hyphenating Your Surname After Marriage A marriage certificate won't give you a hyphenated name, but a deed poll will. → Name Change After British Naturalisation Naturalising as a British citizen? Here's how to get your chosen name on your British passport. → Name Change After Civil Partnership Dissolution The dissolution order covers a reversion to your previous name. A deed poll covers everything else. → Name Change After Remarriage A new marriage certificate covers the simple case. Here is when you need a deed poll. → Name Change After a Civil Partnership A civil partnership certificate covers some changes. A deed poll covers everything else. → Name Change for Foreign Nationals Living in the UK Living in the UK and want to change your name? A deed poll applies to you too. → Taking Your Partner's Surname Without Getting Married You don't need to be married to share a surname. A deed poll handles it legally. → Taking Your Wife's Surname as a Man There is no law that says a husband must keep his surname. Here's how to change it. →

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