Changing Your Name When Becoming a British Citizen
Becoming a British citizen is a natural time to change or correct your name. Whether you want to adopt a new name, correct a spelling, or use a married name, this guide explains the process.
- Section
- British Citizenship
- Reading time
- 8 min
- Last checked
- 3 September 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- You can request a name change on your citizenship application.
- A deed poll or statutory declaration is the standard evidence for name changes.
- The name on your citizenship certificate is used for your British passport.
- Arrange any name change before the application is processed.
You can change your name as part of the citizenship process by indicating your preferred name on the application and providing evidence such as a deed poll. The name on your citizenship certificate becomes the name for your British passport.
Why People Change Their Name
Common reasons for changing your name at citizenship include:
- Marriage: Taking your spouse's surname or adding it to your own
- Anglicisation: Adopting an English spelling or version of your name
- Correction: Fixing errors that have been on documents for years
- Personal preference: Choosing a name you identify with
- Gender transition: Updating your name to reflect your gender identity
You can change your first name, surname, or both. The UK has very flexible name change laws — you can call yourself anything as long as it is not for fraudulent purposes.
How to Change Your Name
Option 1: Deed Poll
A deed poll is the most common way to formally change your name in the UK. You can:
- Unenrolled deed poll: A document you create yourself (if you are 16 or over) and have witnessed. Free or low cost. Accepted by most organisations including HM Passport Office.
- Enrolled deed poll: Registered with the Royal Courts of Justice. Costs £53.05. Creates a permanent public record.
Check the GOV.UK deed poll guidance for the process.
Option 2: Statutory Declaration
A statutory declaration is a formal statement made before a solicitor or commissioner for oaths. The fee for taking a declaration is set by law at £5, plus £2 for each exhibit (attached document) that has to be marked. This is sometimes used instead of a deed poll.
Option 3: Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate
If you are taking your spouse's or civil partner's surname, GOV.UK says you do not need a deed poll: send a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate to record-holders.
Name Change and the Citizenship Application
When you apply for citizenship online, the form asks for your name as it appears on your passport and any previous names. If you want your citizenship certificate to show a different name:
- Include the name change evidence (deed poll, statutory declaration, or marriage certificate) with your application
- The certificate will be issued in your new name
- Your citizenship ceremony invitation will use the same name
If you want to keep your current name, simply apply with your name as it is. No change is required.
After the Ceremony
Your citizenship certificate establishes your legal name as a British citizen. Use it to:
- Apply for your British passport (which will be in the name on your certificate)
- Update your name with your bank, employer, HMRC, and other organisations
- Update your driving licence with the DVLA
- Update your GP records
Some organisations will accept the citizenship certificate as proof of name change. Others may also ask for the deed poll or marriage certificate.
If you change your name after your certificate has been issued, the Home Office will not issue a new certificate in the new name. Its guidance on naturalisation and registration certificates says a correctly issued certificate is not reissued with different details; instead, if you send documentary evidence of the change to the Citizenship team, they add an official endorsement to the certificate recording the accepted new name. HM Passport Office accepts that endorsement. A replacement certificate (£456) is only for lost or damaged certificates.
Name Discrepancies Between Documents
If your name appears differently on different documents (passport, birth certificate, previous visas), address this in your citizenship application. Common issues include:
- Different transliterations from non-Latin scripts
- Missing middle names on some documents
- Different name orders (family name first vs last)
Explain any discrepancies clearly in your application. A deed poll can resolve ongoing inconsistencies by establishing your chosen official name. See our common mistakes guide for more on handling name issues.
Related guides:
Questions and answers
Can I change my name when I become a British citizen?
Yes. Many people choose to change their name (or the spelling of their name) as part of the citizenship process. You can indicate your preferred name on the citizenship application form. If different from your current documents, you may need to provide supporting evidence such as a deed poll.
How do I change my name on the citizenship certificate?
If you want a different name on your citizenship certificate from what appears on your passport, you need to provide evidence of the name change. This is typically a deed poll or statutory declaration. The name on your certificate is the name you will use for your British passport.
What is a deed poll?
A deed poll is a legal document that proves a change of name. It can be enrolled (registered with the Royal Courts of Justice for a £53.05 fee) or unenrolled (a signed document witnessed by an independent person, which you can make yourself if you are 16 or over). Unenrolled deed polls are accepted for most purposes, including passport applications.
Do I need to change my name before or after the citizenship ceremony?
You can indicate your preferred name on the citizenship application. If you want the new name on your certificate, arrange the name change before the application is processed. If you change your name after receiving your certificate, the Home Office will not reissue the certificate in the new name: its guidance says a correctly issued certificate is not reissued with different details. Instead, if you send documentary evidence of the change (such as a deed poll or marriage certificate) to the Home Office Citizenship team, they can add an official endorsement to your existing certificate recording the accepted new name, which HM Passport Office accepts. A replacement certificate (£456) is only for lost or damaged certificates.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.