In this short guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about changing your name after marriage in the UK.
You’ll learn whether a marriage certificate is enough or if you’ll need a deed poll, along with key steps to update your name with important organisations like the Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC and more. If you want the process to be as simple and hassle-free as possible, you’re in the right place — it only takes a few minutes to read.
The first thing to understand is that in some situations, your marriage certificate is all you need to change your name in the UK. In other cases, it won’t be accepted on its own — and you’ll need to use a deed poll instead.
Use the contents table below to jump straight to the scenario that applies to you.
In many common situations, you can change your name after marriage using just your marriage certificate — no deed poll required. Here are the two main scenarios:
This is the most straightforward and popular name change after marriage in the UK. If you’re adopting your spouse’s surname in full, you can usually use your marriage certificate to update your name with official bodies.
Note: The marriage certificate must clearly show both your maiden name and your spouse’s surname.
If you choose to combine both surnames with a hyphen — for example, becoming ‘Smith-Johnson’ — most organisations will accept your marriage certificate as evidence of the change.
Again, it’s important that both surnames appear on the certificate.
Even if you don’t need a deed poll, you still need to update your name with dozens of organisations — from your bank and HMRC to the DVLA and Passport Office. Each one has its own process, forms, and requirements.
Our Name Change Document Pack helps you get it right — fast:
Everything you need to make your name change smooth, stress-free, and accepted the first time.
In some situations, your marriage certificate won’t be enough — and you’ll need a deed poll to legally change your name. Here are the most common examples:
If you want to move your maiden name into the middle name position while taking your spouse’s surname, you’ll need a deed poll. Why? Because this change affects your forenames, not just your surname — and marriage certificates only support surname changes.
If you and your partner decide to create an entirely new surname — whether by blending your names or choosing something different altogether — a deed poll is required. Marriage certificates only reflect existing surnames, so they won’t be accepted for newly invented names.
Click ‘Get My Deed Poll Now’ and fill out our short 2-minute form. We’ll post your personalised Deed Poll certificate with full instructions via tracked delivery.
Once you receive it, just sign and date the certificate and have a friend or neighbour witness it.
Use your Deed Poll to update your name with government departments, banks, your employer, and anywhere else.
A Deed Poll is a legal document you can use to change your name after marriage in the UK. It confirms your intention to abandon your old name and adopt a new one. You fill it in, sign it with a witness, and send it to any official body to update your records.
It’s a simple and affordable way to change your name after a wedding — no need for solicitors or court visits, and it’s accepted everywhere nationwide.
We know changing your name can feel like a big step — and choosing the right service matters. Here’s why so many people trust us with it:
If you’ve lost your marriage certificate, you can order a replacement from the General Register Office (GRO) or the local registry office where your marriage was registered. Most organisations require the original or a certified copy to change your name.
Alternatively, you can change your name using a deed poll, which is legally recognised in the UK and accepted by all major institutions.
No, your name does not change by itself after marriage. To legally use a new name, you need to update your records with each organisation — including your bank, passport office, DVLA, and HMRC — using either your marriage certificate or a deed poll, depending on the type of name change.
If your marriage certificate is in a foreign language, you’ll need to provide a certified English translation along with the original to change your name in the UK. Most organisations won’t accept it without both.
Alternatively, you can use a deed poll as a quicker and simpler way to update your name — it’s fully legal and widely accepted across the UK.
If you’re changing your name after marriage, a Deed Poll might be the easiest way to make it official — especially if your name change isn’t covered by your marriage certificate.
At the UK Deed Poll Centre, we make it simple. Our service is 100% online — no solicitor visits, no court appointments. Just apply from home and we’ll post your personalised Deed Poll straight to your door, with clear instructions to help you use it.
If you’re after a fast, affordable and trusted name change service, we’d love to help. Get started now!