Our family law solicitors find that there are some common reasons that people choose to change their name:

• Divorce or seperation
• Dislike of their given name
• No longer identifying with a name due to gender identity
• To have the same surname as their child

This list is not exhaustive and you can change your name at any time, for any reason, provided this is not for fraudulent or deceptive reasons, such as to evade the law.

We can help you to change your name by using a legal document known as a ‘Change of Name Deed’. One of our family law solicitors will prepare this document for you and once it is properly signed and witnessed it can be used as evidence of changing your name.  This option is only available to adults over the age of 18.

If you wish to change a child’s name, this can also be arranged but it is a more complex process as it requires the consent of all people who have parental responsibility. Alternatively it can be done by court order.

If you are legally changing your name because you are transgender, a change of name deed can be used to change your name on your passport. However, a change of name deed will not change the gender on your passport. If you wish to change your gender you will need to send to the passport office:

• A gender recognition certificate or;
• A letter from your doctor or a medical consultant confirming your change of gender is likely to be permanent.