For a long time, it has been quite straightforward for an adult to officially change their name, for example on a driving licence, passport or bank account, following marriage or divorce.

In such cases it is normally sufficient to provide a certified copy of a marriage certificate or decree absolute (final certificate of divorce) to an official body such as a bank, passport agency or the DVLA as evidence of the change of name.

Even in cases where an adult’s change of name request does not follow marriage or divorce, an individual can enter into a change of name deed, a legal document officially documenting the change of name and provide that document as evidence of the change of name.

Unfortunately, whilst most individuals used this process to change their name for legitimate reasons, the system was misused by a minority who would change their name for the purpose of committing crimes such as fraud or to disguise a previous criminal background to avoid detection.

The Home Office has provided new guidance in an attempt to ensure that there is a consistent approach when handling change of name applications for official Home Office documents.

The rationale behind the new policy is “to make it more difficult for people who change their identities to support criminality...and to ensure there is a consistent approach in handling applications.

It is not intended to make it more difficult for the majority of people who change their names for obvious reasons, such as marriage.

The new policy applies to applications to changes of names and identities to the following documents:

  • British Passport, including emergency travel documents and emergency passports.
  • Home Office Travel Documents
  • Biometric Residence Permits
  • Visas
  • Right of Abode and certificates of entitlement
  • Residence Documents issued to EEA nationals and their families, including derivative categories.

An individual applying to change a name on any of the above documents must now provide supporting evidence to show that they intend to use that name/identity for all purposes of their life.

The documentary evidence should resemble the acquired name and show a linkage to the previous name.

This might include a marriage certificate, deed poll/change of name deed and other supporting evidence that the name is being used for all purposes.

A holder of a non-British passport, must provide evidence that they have changed their name on any other passport(s) or travel document (e.g. national identity card) they hold, unless there are exceptional circumstances that would seriously adversely affect their life in the UK.

The full policy can be found at: gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/404748/Align_Change_of_Name_Guidance_-_v1_0.pdf