Changing your name as a foreign national

If you live in Northern Ireland, you can change your name whatever your nationality or immigration status.

Most people change their name with a deed poll. A deed poll is a legal document that changes your name.

Who can change their name

You can change your name if you:

• are 16 or over
• live in Northern Ireland
• understand what changing your name means

Your nationality, citizenship and immigration status do not affect whether you can change your name.

What your deed poll changes

You can use your deed poll to update your name on UK documents and records. This includes your UK driving licence, bank accounts, tax records, health records and employer records.

Your deed poll does not change documents issued by another country, such as your passport or birth certificate. To change your name on those, you will need to follow that country's own process.

Updating your eVisa

If you have an eVisa, you can update your name on it using your deed poll.

You do this through your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. As well as your deed poll, you will need an identity document in your new name, such as a driving licence. Find out more about updating your driving licence.

If you have a visa application in progress

You cannot update your name with UKVI while you are waiting for a decision on a visa application. Wait until you have a decision before changing your name.

For future applications, use your new name and include your deed poll. If you send any documents in your old name, explain why the names are different.

If you are not sure how a name change affects your situation, speak to an immigration adviser.

Applying for British citizenship

The Home Office normally issues your citizenship certificate in the name on your passport, travel document or eVisa. It expects the name on your foreign and UK documents to match.

If you can, update your passport with your home country before you apply for citizenship.

If your home country will not change the name on your passport, the Home Office may issue your certificate in the name you use in the UK. You will need evidence that you cannot change your passport, and that you use your new name for all official purposes. Speak to an immigration adviser before you apply.

If you leave the UK

Your deed poll is still valid if you leave the UK. You can use it as proof of a name change you made while living here.

Other countries may not accept it for their own records. Keep it somewhere safe, as you may need it in future.

Updating your records

Once you have changed your name, you need to tell the organisations that hold your records. Each one will ask to see your deed poll.

Find out more about who to tell.

Apply for a deed poll

It costs £25 to apply for a deed poll with the NI Deed Poll Office. You can pay by debit or credit card.