When a British citizen changes name through marriage, civil partnership, divorce, dissolution, or deed poll, a fresh passport must be applied for. HM Passport Office does not amend existing passports to reflect a new name. The standard renewal fee applies: £53.50 online or £64 by post in 2026. This guide explains the documents required for each route, the post-dated PASS option that lets applicants use a new married name before the wedding date, and how to handle name changes for children. It is informational only and does not constitute regulated legal advice. Verify current rules with GOV.UK before applying.
TL;DR: The 60-Second Answer
- HMPO does not amend existing passports for a name change. A new passport must be issued.- The fee is the standard renewal fee: £53.50 online or £64 by post in 2026.
- Required documents vary by route: marriage certificate, decree absolute, or deed poll.
- The PASS (Post-Dated Passport) service allows a new married name passport up to three months before the wedding date.
- Children's name changes after parental marriage or court order have additional consent requirements.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Sourced from GOV.UK
Why HMPO Issues a New Passport, Not an Amendment
HMPO does not amend existing passports to reflect a name change. The current passport is cancelled and a new passport is issued with the new name. This rule applies to every type of name change, whether by marriage, civil partnership, divorce, dissolution, or deed poll.
The reasoning is security-driven. Modern British passports include the holder's name encoded into the chip alongside biometric data, and machine-readable zones on the personal details page. Amending the name printed on the data page would not amend the chip data or the machine-readable zone, leaving an inconsistent travel document.
The fee for a name-change passport is the same as a standard renewal. There is no surcharge for changing name. The new passport carries a fresh ten-year validity (five years for children) from the date of issue, which means the change becomes a full renewal as well.
The cancelled previous passport is normally returned with corners clipped and a perforated mark to show it is no longer valid for travel. Many people keep cancelled passports as a record of visa history and entry stamps.
Marriage and Civil Partnership Name Changes
For a passport in a new married name, HMPO requires the marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate showing the change. A standard certificate from the General Register Office or the local register office where the marriage took place is accepted. Photocopies are not accepted; the original certificate or a certified copy must be sent in.
The application is made through the standard online renewal route on GOV.UK. The existing passport is posted in with the marriage certificate. The fee is £53.50 online or £64 by post. The standard three-week processing target applies.
For foreign marriages, the certificate must be from the country where the marriage was conducted, and may require an apostille or other authentication depending on the country. Some certificates also need certified translation into English. HMPO will accept a translation by a qualified translator with a statement of accuracy and the translator's contact details.
The PASS (Post-Dated Passport) service is the dedicated route for changing to a married name shortly before the wedding. The application is made up to three months before the wedding date, and the new passport is issued in advance but post-dated to the wedding date for validity. Honeymoons booked in the married name can therefore use the new passport from day one.
Using the PASS Post-Dated Passport Service
The PASS service is operated by HMPO under the standard application route, with the wedding or civil partnership date entered as the post-dated activation date. The new passport is issued before the wedding but is marked as "not valid for travel before" the named date.
Required documents include the existing passport, a letter from the venue or a copy of the booking confirmation showing the wedding or civil partnership date, the standard fee, and a new compliant photograph. A copy of the booking notice from the local register office is also accepted.
The PASS service has limits. The wedding must be within three months of the application date. The passport is issued before the wedding but cannot be used for travel before the named activation date. If the wedding is cancelled or postponed, the post-dated passport remains in the new name but the activation date stands.
If a honeymoon is booked in the previous name, no name change is required for travel: the previous passport remains valid. Many couples opt to keep the original passport for the honeymoon and apply for the name change passport on return, avoiding any name mismatch with the airline ticket.
Divorce, Dissolution, and Reverting to a Previous Name
After divorce or civil partnership dissolution, an applicant can choose to revert to a former name. The required document is the decree absolute (England, Wales, Northern Ireland), the decree of divorce (Scotland), or the equivalent dissolution order for civil partnerships.
Reverting to a maiden or birth name does not require a deed poll. The decree absolute combined with the birth certificate (showing the original name) is sufficient evidence. If reverting to a name that is neither the current married name nor the original birth name, a deed poll is required to evidence the new name.
The fee is the standard renewal fee. The standard online application form on GOV.UK is used, with the decree absolute and any other supporting documents posted in with the existing passport.
Foreign divorces follow the same logic but may require additional authentication. HMPO accepts foreign divorces recognised under UK law. A recognition order from a UK court may be needed in some cases, particularly where the divorce was conducted in a non-Hague Convention country.
Deed Poll Name Changes
For name changes outside marriage and divorce, a deed poll is the standard route. There are two types: enrolled deed poll (registered at the Royal Courts of Justice) and unenrolled deed poll (a private deed signed in front of witnesses). HMPO accepts both for passport applications.
An unenrolled deed poll is the more common route. It costs nothing to prepare beyond optional solicitor or specialist service fees (£20 to £50 for a template service). It must be signed by the applicant in front of two independent witnesses, who also sign and provide their details.
An enrolled deed poll is recorded at the Royal Courts of Justice, providing a permanent public record of the name change. The 2026 enrolment fee is £50. Enrolment is not required for HMPO purposes, but some government services and overseas authorities prefer enrolled deeds.
The deed poll is sent in with the existing passport and the renewal application. The standard fee applies. Where the new name is significantly different from the existing passport name, HMPO may require additional supporting evidence of the date the new name began to be used (utility bills, bank statements, or employer letters showing the new name).
Name Changes for Children
Children's name changes follow the same routes as adults but with additional consent requirements. The signature of every person with parental responsibility is required for a child's name change passport application. The Children Act 1989 governs parental responsibility for children in England and Wales, with equivalent rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
For a child taking the name of a stepparent after the mother's remarriage, the consent of the biological father (if he has parental responsibility) is required. Without that consent, an application to the family court for a Specific Issue Order is necessary. The court order then authorises HMPO to issue the new-name passport.
For a child whose name has been changed by court order (for example, in care proceedings or following parental death), the court order itself is the primary document. The original or a sealed copy must be presented with the application.
The child fee applies: £42.50 online or £53 by post in 2026. The new passport is valid for five years from issue. The premium services (£155 Online Premium, £200 1-Day Premium) are available for child renewals including name change cases.
Editorial Disclaimer
Content on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute regulated immigration, legal or financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) and does not provide regulated immigration advice. Rules, fees and processing times change without notice. Verify current information directly with GOV.UK, HM Passport Office, or an OISC-registered adviser before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my UK passport automatically change name when I get married?
No. The marriage certificate alone does not amend the passport. A fresh passport must be applied for in the new married name, at the standard renewal fee of £53.50 online or £64 by post in 2026. Many travellers use their existing passport in the maiden name for travel immediately after the wedding, then apply for the change on return. Airline tickets must always match the name on the passport used for travel.
Can I get a new passport before my wedding date?
Yes, through the PASS (Post-Dated Passport) service. The application can be made up to three months before the wedding or civil partnership date. The new passport is issued in advance but marked as not valid for travel before the wedding date. Required documents include the existing passport, a letter or booking notice from the venue or register office showing the wedding date, and the standard fee. PASS is the right route for couples honeymooning in the new married name.
What if I want to revert to my maiden name after divorce?
Reverting to a maiden or birth name after divorce requires the decree absolute (or equivalent in Scotland) and the original birth certificate. No deed poll is needed. The standard renewal fee applies. If reverting to a name that is neither the current married name nor the birth name, a deed poll is required to evidence the new name. Foreign divorces may need additional authentication or UK court recognition.
Does an unenrolled deed poll work for a UK passport?
Yes. HMPO accepts both enrolled deed polls (recorded at the Royal Courts of Justice) and unenrolled deed polls (private deeds signed in front of two independent witnesses) as evidence for a name change passport application. The unenrolled deed poll is the cheaper option, costing nothing beyond optional template service fees. The enrolled deed poll provides a permanent public record at additional cost (£50 in 2026) but is not required for HMPO.
How long does a name change passport take to process?
The standard three-week target applies for renewals received with complete documentation. Name changes can add processing time if HMPO needs to verify foreign documents, request translations, or query gaps in evidence. The Online Premium service at £155 and the 1-Day Premium service at £200 are both available for name change renewals. Building in a four to six week buffer is sensible, longer if foreign documents are involved.
Can I change my child's name on their passport?
Yes, with consent from every person with parental responsibility. The supporting documents depend on the route: marriage certificate of the parent for a stepparent name, deed poll for a deed poll change, court order for a court-imposed change. Without the consent of all parties with parental responsibility, a Specific Issue Order from the family court is needed to authorise the application. The child fee applies and the new passport is valid for five years.
How we verified this
Document requirements, the PASS post-dated service, and fees cited above were taken from the GOV.UK Changing passport information service, the GOV.UK Change your name by deed poll guidance, and the GOV.UK Marriages and civil partnerships service, all reviewed in May 2026. References to parental responsibility for children's name changes draw on the Children Act 1989 published on legislation.gov.uk.
