Change your name in Northern Ireland

You can change your name in Northern Ireland at any time, and you do not need to give a reason for changing your name.

Most people change their name with a deed poll.

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Who can change their name

You can change your name if you:

• are 16 or over
• live in Northern Ireland

If you want to change the name of a child under 16, read the guide to changing your child's name.

Changing your name by deed poll

A deed poll is a legal document that changes your name. It sets out your former name and your new name, and is signed by you and 2 witnesses.

Your deed poll is accepted as proof of your name change by organisations such as HM Passport Office, the Driver and Vehicle Agency and banks, in Northern Ireland and throughout the UK.

You do not need:

• your birth certificate
• a solicitor, lay magistrate or Justice of the Peace

How it works

1. Apply online

You can apply for a deed poll online. You will need:

• your current name
• the name you want to change to
• your address in Northern Ireland
• an email address

Your deed poll is posted to you with instructions for signing.

2. Sign in front of 2 witnesses

You need to sign your deed poll in front of 2 witnesses, who then sign it too.

Your witnesses must be 18 or over and know you personally. They cannot be close relatives or live at the same address as you. Find out more about who can be a witness.

3. Use your new name

Use your deed poll to update your name with the organisations that hold your records.

Choosing your new name

You can change your first name, middle names or surname. You can also add or remove names, or change the spelling of a name.

Your new name cannot:

• include numbers or symbols, other than hyphens and apostrophes
• be offensive
• suggest a title you are not entitled to, such as Lord or Doctor

Find out more about names you cannot use.

After you change your name

You need to tell the organisations that hold your records. Each one will ask to see your deed poll.

You can update your driving licence with the Driver and Vehicle Agency for free. Find out more about updating your driving licence.

You do not need to replace your passport straight away. You can keep using it until it expires, but any travel you book must match the name on your passport. Find out more about updating your passport.

Read the full list of who to tell.

Registering your name change

You do not need to register your name change. There is no central register of names in Northern Ireland or anywhere in the UK.

Your deed poll is your proof. You show it to each organisation when you update your records.

If your circumstances are different

If you are getting married

You can usually use your marriage or civil partnership certificate to take your spouse's or partner's surname. You may need a deed poll for other changes, such as a double-barrelled surname. Find out more about changing your name when getting married.

If you are getting divorced

You may be able to return to a previous surname using your marriage certificate and divorce documents. Some organisations ask for a deed poll instead. Find out more about changing your name after divorce.

If you are not a UK or Irish citizen

You can change your name by deed poll if you live in Northern Ireland, whatever your nationality. You can use it to update UK documents such as your eVisa and driving licence. Find out more about changing your name as a foreign national.

If you are transgender

You can change your name by deed poll. You do not need a gender recognition certificate or medical evidence. Find out more about changing your name as a transgender person.

If you are 16 or 17

You can change your name without anyone else's agreement. Find out more about changing your name at 16 or 17.