Updating your child's documents

After you change your child's name in Northern Ireland, you need to tell the organisations that hold their records, such as their school and GP.

Each organisation will ask to see the child deed poll as proof of the change. There is no deadline, and anything you miss can be updated when it comes up.

What you need

Most organisations will ask to see:

• your child's original deed poll
• proof of your identity, as their parent or guardian

Some may also ask to see your child's birth certificate.

School and childcare

Contact your child's school office. The school will update its records, including registers, reports and contact details. Future exam certificates will show your child's new name.

Tell any nursery, childminder or other childcare provider in the same way. If your child is at college or university, contact the student records office.

If you are applying for a school place, use your child's new name on the application and include their deed poll.

Health records

Contact your child's GP practice, and they will update your child's health records. Your child's Health and Care Number stays the same, so their medical history stays linked to them.

Your child's dentist and optician keep separate records, so you will need to tell them too. If you have a health visitor, tell them as well.

Child Benefit and other benefits

Tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to update your child's name on your Child Benefit records. Have your Child Benefit reference number ready.

If you get Universal Credit or other benefits, tell the Department for Communities. Payments may be delayed if your child's records do not match.

Your child's passport

If your child has a passport, you can apply for a new one in their new name. You will need their current passport, their deed poll and evidence that they are using their new name, such as a letter from their school.

You do not need to do this straight away. Your child can keep using their current passport until it expires, as long as any travel is booked in the name on it.

Bank accounts and savings

If your child has a bank or savings account, contact the bank to update their name. This also applies to a Child Trust Fund or Junior ISA.

If your child is named on an insurance policy, such as travel insurance, tell the insurer.

Clubs and activities

Tell any clubs, teachers or activity groups your child goes to, so they can update their records.

Your child's birth certificate

Your child's birth certificate cannot be changed. It records their name at birth.

When you need to prove your child's identity, you can show their birth certificate together with their deed poll.

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.