•   May 2012. I was very unsure about how the process would work, but you put me at ease almost immediately with your very helpful - and very fast - service. I felt comfortable at all stages of the process, especially due to your constant offer of help via live chat or phone if I needed i... 

    Pamela, Sturry, Canterbury.

1. Applying for a passport in a name that is different to the name on your birth certificate

If you are applying for your first passport, and the name you are known by differs from that on your birth certificate, you will need to enclose a Deed Poll (sometimes known as a Change of Name Deed) with your passport application. A Deed Poll is an official document that legally changes your name from any names you have used previously or the name on your birth certificate.

Even if it’s some time since you changed your name the passport office will still need to see legal proof of the name change. If you don’t have documentary evidence or have mislaid it (for example if your name was changed as a child), you will need to apply for a Deed Poll. The passport office will accept the Deed Poll as legal evidence of your change of name.

Note: When you complete our Deed Poll application form you will need to enter your birth name in the Current Name boxes and your current name in the New Name boxes. This will ensure that your Deed Poll shows your correct name so you can go ahead and apply for a passport in your new name.

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Sections in this article
Click on the links below to view each section of this article.

1.        Applying for a passport in a name that is different to the name on your birth certificate
2.        Changing the name on your passport following your change of name by Deed Poll
3.        Changing the name on your passport following your marriage or civil partnership
4.        Changing the name on your passport following your separation
5.        Changing the name on your passport upon divorce or dissolution of your civil partnership
6.        Changing the name on your child's passport
7.        Applying for a British passport whilst overseas
8.        Contacting the UK Identity & Passport Service
9.        How to apply for a Deed Poll to change your name

This page was last checked today by Amanda Dawson, Senior Deed Poll Officer.