•   May 2012. I would like to say that when i went online and had a live chat with your representatives, i was extremely happy with the help i received. I found both of the ladies i spoke with, emily and eileen, to be very informative and efficient. Overall the service i have recieved has... 

    Ruby, Swinton, Manchester.

3. Changing the name on your passport following your marriage or civil partnership

If you’ve recently married and want to change the name on your passport to your partner’s surname, your marriage certificate will be accepted by the passport office as documentary evidence of your change of surname. 

Similarly, if you have entered a civil partnership, the passport office will accept your civil partnership certificate as evidence of the surname change. 

Some couples opt to double-barrel their surname on marriage or civil partnership i.e. combine one partner’s surname with the other (for example Smith-Jones or Smith Jones).  Again, the passport office will accept a marriage or civil partnership certificate as evidence of the change of name.

Note: You don’t need a Deed Poll for any of the above. However you might find you need a Deed Poll when you come to change the name on non-government records and documents.

Many organisations, especially financial institutions, won’t accept a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate if you’ve double-barrelled your surname however they will accept a Deed Poll.

And of course if you wish to change your surname to a new name altogether (i.e. not your partner’s name) you will also need a Deed Poll. (Please see below for more information.)

Whether you plan to take your partner’s surname or double-barrel your surname, you can apply for a replacement passport in your new name up to three months before the wedding or civil partnership ceremony. (Please note you won’t be able to use the new passport until the actual day of the ceremony.)

Please click the appropriate link below if you need more information about your change of name rights and options upon marriage or civil partnership:

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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.