Change of name deed - Print version

In the UK anyone can change their name if they want to. However, if you would like the new name to be recognised officially, you must register the change.

There are some restrictions about what you can change your name to and why

You may not change your name:

• In order to commit an illegal act such as fraud
• To something that is vulgar, offensive, blasphemous or unsuitable
• To imply or include a title such as Sir, Lord, Lady, Duke or Duchess
• To something that includes symbols or numbers

Before you change your name you should check that your name change will be accepted by the following people:

• Your employer
• Any institute or professional body of which you are a member
• Your country of origin, if you are a foreign national living in the UK
• The relevant authorities of the country in which you are living, if you are a UK national living overseas

If you change your name, many official bodies (such as banks and building societies) will require an official 'Change of Name Deed' to accept it. This document can be obtained from Coventry Registration Services.

Please read the following information carefully

Important: A Deed Poll cannot be used to change your birth certificate, marriage certificate or decree absolute. It is also not possible to get permanent records such as past educational certificates changed because these are a "matter of fact" in that they were in the correct name when issued.

Changing your name after marriage or civil partnership

If you have married or entered into a civil partnership and decide to take the surname of your spouse, you do not have to complete an official change of name deed. However, you should contact the passport office, and all other institutions such as banks, building societies and the DVLA to inform them that you have changed your name. Your marriage or civil partnership certificate is your proof of name change.

If you intend to be married abroad, overseas authorities will need to see both your passport and your birth certificate. If your passport and birth certificate show different names, you will need to prove that you have changed your name and that both documents relate to the same person. In these circumstances, a change of name deed may be required.

If you have divorced or are widowed and you no longer want to be known by your former spouse's name, you have the option to revert to your previous name. If you choose to change to a different name, or if an organisation requests it, you will need to complete an official change of name deed.

Changing your child's name

Changing your child's forename within twelve months of their birth registration

Within the first year after the date of birth registration, parents can change their child's forename(s) for a £40.00 fee. (A fee of £11.00 is payable for a new birth certificate, if required.) The form you need to complete will depend on whether or not your child has been baptised. Full details, including the relevant forms, are available from Coventry Registration Services. Please note that it is not possible to change your child's surname by this method.

Changing your child's surname (and/or forename) after twelve months of their birth registration

The following conditions apply if you want to change your child's surname if they are under 16:

• If both parents are married to each other you may change your child's name if you both agree to the change.
• If the parents are divorced both parents must give their consent to the change.
• If the child's birth was registered on or after 1 December 2003, the parents have never been married and the father's details are entered in the birth registration, both parents must give their consent to the change. Alternatively, one parent may obtain a court order allowing them to change the child's name without the consent of the other parent.
• If the child's birth was registered before 1 December 2003, the parents have never been married and if there is no Parental Responsibility Order or agreement in place, the mother may change the child's name.

It may be possible to change your child’s surname on re-registration if for instance the natural father was not named on the original entry or parents subsequently marry after their child’s birth.

 If there is a court order in place it may not be possible to change your child's name without applying to the court. Please seek your solicitor's advice in these circumstances.

Children aged 16 and 17 years may apply to change their own name but their parent(s) will be required to attend the appointment and also sign the change of name deed.

Further copies

We will store a copy of your deed poll in our strong room and will be able to issue you with further copies of the document at any time in the future.

Apply for a change of name deed

If you wish to change your name, or the name of your child you can apply online:

• Adult application for a new change of name deed [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/service/register_office___deed_poll_application?ageGroup=adult]
• Child application for a new change of name deed [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/service/register_office___deed_poll_application?ageGroup]
• Adult application for a copy of a change of name deed [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/service/register_office___deed_poll_application?ageGroup=copy]
• Child application for a copy of a change of name deed [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/service/register_office___deed_poll_application?ageGroup=copy%20child]

Once we have received your completed form and taken payment we will prepare your deed for your forthcoming appointment at Coventry Register Office to sign the deed in the presence of the Deputy/Superintendent Registrar. At the end of the appointment you will be given your deed poll document.

Fees

• Single application including storage in secure strong room  - £75
• Additional copies at time of appointment - £10 each
• Replacement if lost or damaged - £25

Documents needed

You will be advised as to which documents you will need to bring to your appointment. All documents must be originals and not photocopies.

They may include one or more of the following:

• Birth certificate showing the name which is to be changed
• Passport
• Marriage certificate
• Decree absolute
• Late spouse's death certificate