What Parts of Your Name Can You Change in the UK?
Your name is one of the most personal things about you. It appears on your passport, driving licence, bank account, employment records and countless other documents.
But what if part of your name no longer feels right?
Perhaps you have always disliked your middle name. Maybe you want to take a new surname after a change in your family circumstances. You might use a different spelling of your first name in everyday life, or perhaps you simply want a completely new name.
This naturally leads to the question: what parts of your name can you change?
For most adults, there is a great deal of flexibility. You can generally change your first name, middle name, surname or several parts of your name at the same time. You can also change the spelling or order of your forenames. Official passport guidance specifically recognises changes such as slightly changing the spelling of a name, rearranging forenames and removing middle names.
Let’s look at each option in simple terms.
Can You Change Your First Name?
Yes. You can change your first name if you want to be known by something different.
For example, if your current name is:
Daniel Robert Evans
you might decide to become:
David Robert Evans
Only your first name has changed. Your middle name and surname remain exactly the same.
There are many personal reasons someone might choose a different first name. Sometimes a person has used another name socially for many years and wants their official documents to match. In other cases, the original name may simply no longer suit them.
Your reason does not have to be dramatic.
Can You Change the Spelling of Your First Name?
Yes. You might not want an entirely different name at all.
Perhaps you simply want to alter the spelling.
For example:
- Sara to Sarah
- Jon to John
- Clare to Claire
- Steven to Stephen
HM Passport Office guidance specifically allows certain small changes to the spelling of forenames and may ask for documents showing that you are using the new spelling.
The important practical point is consistency.
Once you have adopted your new spelling, using the same version on your important records can make identity checks much easier.
Can You Change Your Middle Name?
Absolutely.
Middle names are sometimes forgotten when people ask what parts of your name can you change, but they can usually be changed too.
You may want to:
- add a middle name
- remove a middle name
- replace an existing middle name
- use more than one middle name
- change the order of your forenames
HM Passport Office specifically recognises removing middle names and changing the order of forenames when updating passport details.
Can You Remove a Middle Name Completely?
Yes.
Imagine your current name is:
Emma Louise Rebecca Wilson
but you have never used “Rebecca”.
You may decide that you would prefer your name to be:
Emma Louise Wilson
You do not have to keep a middle name simply because it appears on older documents.
Can You Add a New Middle Name?
You can also go in the other direction and add one.
For example:
James Wilson
could become:
James Alexander Wilson
Some people add a middle name because it has family significance. Others choose one simply because they prefer how their full name sounds.
Either way, it becomes part of the new name you use going forward.
Can You Change Your Surname?
Yes. Changing a surname is one of the most familiar types of name change.
People may change their surname following marriage, divorce, separation or another change in family circumstances. Others simply prefer a different surname.
For example:
Oliver Harris
might become:
Oliver Bennett
You do not normally have to change your first name at the same time.
Do You Have to Use a Family Surname?
Not necessarily.
A name change does not have to involve choosing the surname of a parent, spouse or another relative.
You may choose a different surname that you wish to use, subject to the practical restrictions that apply to names used on official documents.
Government passport guidance places restrictions on certain names that could cause serious offence or promote unlawful activity.
Can You Have a Double-Barrelled Surname?
Yes.
A double-barrelled surname can be a useful option when you want to combine two surnames rather than choosing one over the other.
For example:
Emily Clark
could become:
Emily Clark-Williams
Hyphens and apostrophes are recognised within names for UK passport purposes.
Can You Change Your Entire Name?
Yes. You are not limited to changing only one part.
This is perhaps the clearest answer to what parts of your name can you change: you can potentially change your whole name.
For example:
Michael Andrew Taylor
could become:
Thomas Edward Morgan
Here, the first name, middle name and surname have all changed.
You do not need to keep one part of your former name simply to maintain a connection with it.
Why Would Someone Change Their Whole Name?
There is no single reason.
A person may want a completely fresh name because of family circumstances, personal preferences or because they have been known socially by another name for a long time.
Whatever your reason, think carefully about the name before beginning to update your records.
Changing a name across numerous organisations can involve quite a bit of administration, so choosing something you are comfortable using long term is sensible.
Can You Change the Order of Your Names?
Yes.
You may already have all the names you want but simply wish they appeared in a different order.
Suppose your official name is:
Alexander James Smith
but everyone has called you James since childhood.
You might prefer:
James Alexander Smith
HM Passport Office guidance specifically recognises changes to the order of forenames.
Why Does the Order Matter?
In everyday conversation, it might not matter very much.
On official documents, however, consistency can become important.
A different order or spelling between documents can sometimes cause questions during identity or administrative checks. HM Land Registry, for example, requires names to match across documents submitted for registration and specifically identifies spelling and name-order variations as relevant.
That is why it makes sense to gradually update important records after adopting your new name.
Can You Add Another Name Without Removing Your Existing One?
Yes.
Changing your name does not always mean replacing something.
You could simply add another name.
For example:
Sophie Green
might become:
Sophie Rose Green
Or you might decide on:
Sophie Rose Green-Walker
This gives you plenty of flexibility when deciding what your full name should look like.
Are There Restrictions on What You Can Call Yourself?
Although there is considerable freedom when choosing a new name, there are limits.
Some names may cause difficulties when you try to use them on official documents such as a British passport.
Official guidance states that names which may cause public offence or promote unlawful activity cannot be included in a British passport.
Local authority name-change guidance also commonly warns against names containing numbers or symbols and against changing a name for fraudulent purposes.
Can Your Name Contain Numbers or Symbols?
This is where choosing an unusual name can become impractical.
If you want your new name to appear on documents such as your passport, avoid replacing letters with numbers or decorative symbols.
A normal hyphen or apostrophe used within a name is treated differently from an unusual symbol.
For example:
Smith-Jones
or:
O’Connor
are conventional name formats.
Can You Choose an Offensive Name?
You may have difficulty using an offensive name on official documents.
HM Passport Office guidance specifically addresses names that may cause public outrage, contain seriously offensive wording or promote unlawful activity.
Can You Change Your Name to Commit Fraud?
No.
Changing your name does not give you a new legal identity that wipes away your history.
A name change should not be used to commit fraud, avoid lawful responsibilities or deliberately mislead another person or organisation.
A deed poll helps create a documented connection between the name you previously used and the name you are adopting. GOV.UK describes a deed poll as a document recognising a change of name.
Do You Need a Deed Poll to Change Your Name?
This is where the difference between using a name and proving a name change becomes important.
In everyday life, you may begin calling yourself something different. But banks, passport authorities, employers and other organisations may need formal evidence before changing their records.
A deed poll is one commonly used way of providing that evidence.
GOV.UK states that a person aged 16 or over can make an unenrolled deed poll in England and Wales. It also warns that some organisations may have their own requirements about what evidence they will accept.
What Is an Unenrolled Deed Poll?
An unenrolled deed poll provides evidence of your change of name without placing the change on the High Court’s public record.
Many people considering a name change first come across this type.
However, you should check with the organisation you intend to update because its evidence requirements may vary.
What Is an Enrolled Deed Poll?
An enrolled deed poll is placed on public record through the High Court in England and Wales.
This is different from simply making an unenrolled deed poll. GOV.UK explains that enrolling a deed poll results in information about the name change being placed on public record and normally published in The Gazette.
Do All Organisations Require an Enrolled Deed Poll?
No single answer applies to every organisation.
Before obtaining documents specifically for a bank, passport application, financial institution or another organisation, check exactly what that organisation requires.
That simple step can save you considerable time later.
What Happens to Your Old Name?
Your old name does not suddenly vanish from history.
You may still have certificates, contracts, qualifications and other documents issued under your previous name.
That is normal.
Your name-change evidence helps explain the connection between the two names.
Will Your Birth Certificate Automatically Change?
Generally, changing your name by deed poll in England and Wales does not simply rewrite your original birth certificate.
The deed poll provides evidence connecting your former name with the new name you are using.
Different processes may apply depending on where in the UK your birth was registered.
Scotland, for example, has a separate system through which eligible people can have a change of name recorded, although Scottish Government information notes that recording a change is not required simply to use or go by another name.
Northern Ireland also has its own procedures through the General Register Office for Northern Ireland and recognises deed poll as another way of proving a name change.
Which Documents Should You Update After Changing Your Name?
Once you have formally adopted your new name, it helps to make a checklist.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to contact organisations such as:
- HM Passport Office
- DVLA or DVA
- your bank or building society
- employer and payroll department
- HMRC
- pension providers
- insurance companies
- utility providers
- mortgage providers
- educational institutions
- professional organisations
- electoral registration services
You do not necessarily need to update everything on the same day.
Start with the documents and accounts you use most often.
Your Passport
If you want your passport issued in your new name, HM Passport Office asks for evidence of the name change and, depending on the circumstances, evidence showing that you are actually using the new name.
Your Bank and Other Organisations
Banks and other organisations may have their own procedures.
Some may ask to see your name-change document together with proof of identity.
This is why keeping your important paperwork organised is useful.
Does the Same Name-Change Process Apply Across the Whole UK?
Not exactly.
The basic idea of adopting a new name may seem straightforward, but the procedures for recording or proving that change can differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland—or were born there—it is worth checking the rules that apply specifically to your circumstances.
Northern Ireland, for example, has a formal process for recording a change of name with GRONI as well as the option of using a deed poll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Change Only My First Name?
Yes. You can change your first name without changing your middle name or surname.
Can I Change Just My Middle Name?
Yes. A middle name can be removed, changed or rearranged. Passport guidance specifically recognises removing middle names.
Can I Change Only My Surname?
Yes. You can keep your existing first and middle names and adopt a different surname.
Can I Change My First Name and Surname Together?
Yes. Several parts of your name can be changed at the same time.
Can I Add a Middle Name?
Yes. You can adopt an additional middle name as part of your new full name.
Can I Remove All My Middle Names?
Yes. If you no longer wish to use your middle names, they can be removed. HM Passport Office expressly recognises removal of middle names.
Can I Rearrange My First and Middle Names?
Yes. Changing the order of your forenames is also recognised by HM Passport Office.
Can I Have a Hyphenated Surname?
Yes, provided the format can be accepted on the official documents you need.
So, What Parts of Your Name Can You Change?
If you have been wondering what parts of your name can you change, the simple answer is: potentially almost all of it.
You may be able to:
- change your first name
- change your middle name
- remove a middle name
- add another middle name
- change your surname
- create a double-barrelled surname
- change the spelling of your name
- change the order of your forenames
- change several names together
- adopt an entirely new full name
For many people, the decision itself is actually the easy part.
The practical work begins afterwards—making sure the name you have chosen is suitable for official use and then updating the organisations that need to know about it.
Take Your Time Before Making the Change
If you are considering a new name, try writing it down several times.
Imagine seeing it on your passport.
Imagine introducing yourself with it.
Think about how it sounds with your surname and initials.
A name can stay with you for a very long time, so there is nothing wrong with taking a little time to make sure it feels right.
Keep Your Documents Organised
Once you begin updating your records, create a simple list of organisations you have contacted.
Keep your name-change evidence somewhere safe and note which organisations have already updated your details.
This can turn what feels like a complicated administrative job into a much more manageable process.
Check Requirements Before Sending Documents
Different organisations can have different requirements.
Before sending original documents or making an application, check exactly what evidence is required.
This is particularly important when updating identity documents.
Important Information
This article is intended as general information about what parts of your name can you change in the UK. It is not personalised legal advice. Name-change procedures and documentary requirements can vary depending on your circumstances and whether you are dealing with England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
