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If your name has changed or is about to change - first adult passport

It is important that the name on your passport is correct. Find what extra documents you need to send with your application if you have changed your name or are about to change it.

If your name has changed and does not match your birth, naturalisation or registration certificate

If your name has changed and doesn't match your birth, naturalisation or registration certificates, you'll need to provide evidence of your name change. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) will need to see documents showing both the date of and reason for your name change.

You must send original documents, not copies. IPS will accept laminated documents as proof of name changes.

If you can't find the information you need here, you can call the IPS Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000. The line is open between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00 am and 5.30 pm on weekends and public holidays.

Marriage and civil partnership name changes

For married people, IPS will need to see marriage certificates.

For civil partners, IPS will need to see civil partnership certificates.

Going back to your maiden or unmarried name

If you have gone back to your maiden or unmarried name, IPS will need to see:

  • your birth certificate
  • a signed statement from you saying you have gone back to your maiden name for all purposes

Name changes by deed poll

In all other cases, IPS will need to see your change of name deed. If you have changed your name more than once, you will need to send evidence of all changes of name.

If you are about to get married or form a civil partnership and take your husband or partner's name

Think carefully if you are applying for a passport to use after you are married, perhaps for your honeymoon, showing your married name. It may be better to get a passport earlier in your unmarried name and change it later on.

This is because the name on your passport should match the name in which you book your travel. If the name on the passport doesn't match the booking:

  • some countries may not let you in
  • some travel companies may not let you board

This may be the case even if you carry your marriage or civil partnership certificate with you. Always check with your travel agent or the consulate of the country you plan to visit.

IPS can prepare a first passport in your married name any time up to three months before the wedding. But the passport is 'postdated'. This means you cannot use it before the day of the ceremony. Some countries will not issue visas for postdated passports. You should check with the consulate of the country concerned.

If you get a passport in your new name before the ceremony

If you decide to get a passport in your new name before the ceremony, you can find information on what you need to do in:

  • the form (PD2)
  • the leaflet (PD1) 'Passports for Newly Weds and Civil Partners'

You can get these:

The form needs to be completed partly by you and partly by the person who is to conduct the ceremony. The leaflet explains this in more detail.

You should then apply for your passport in the normal way. But you'll need to supply one extra document: a completed 'Passports for Newly Weds and Civil Partners' (PD2) form.

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