Name Change & Gender Recognition Certificates
There is no legal process that you have to follow to change your name. You can simply start using a new name, but you do need evidence of your change of name to update your official records.
Here’s our guide to take you through all the processes and pathways to legally changing your name and gender identity. This guide is also available as a downloadable booklet at the bottom of this page—please consider the environment before printing.
In this guide…
Guide to Changing Your Name
TIP: If you change the name on your passport first, then you can use your new passport number to change your name at the DVLA without having to send your Change of Name Deed to them.
The easiest way to change your name is with a Change of Name Deed (also called a Deed Poll). You can get a Change of Name Deed by:
- Instructing a solicitor to draft it for you
- Drafting it yourself
- Using an online agency
- Enrolling your new name with the Royal Courts of Justice. This is not compulsory but it means your new name will be a matter of public record. The forms can be downloaded here: https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll
If you decide to do it yourself then check out the GOV UK website which provides suggested wording: www.gov.uk/change-name-deedpoll/make-an-adult-deed-poll
When you sign your Change of Name Deed, your signature should be witnessed by two independent people, who should also sign it and give their names and addresses. They must be over 18 and not a spouse or relative.
Remember to make your Change of Name Deed as official-looking as possible by using good quality paper and a black easy to read font (e.g. Times New Roman or Arial).
When you have completed your Change of Name Deed you should send it to each of your record holders such as the Passport Office, DVLA, Inland Revenue and your banks, insurers and medical practitioners (GP/dentist). You should not be charged for these changes, unless you want to also update the photo on your passport or diving licence.
Myth Busting
Official registration of your name change is not compulsory. Your Change of Name Deed does not have to be certified by a solicitor or other official (unless you want multiple copies, in which case a solicitor can prepare certified copies for you, for a small fee).
Important Reminders
Under 18? Parental consent or a Court Order will be needed to change your name.
Choose your new name wisely. The Identity and Passport Service can reject a name if they think it brings the UK passport into disrepute – so nothing too wacky!
Your passport records your gender. It is possible to change this either by getting a Gender Recognition Certificate or by providing a letter from your doctor confirming that your change in gender is permanent, together with your Change of Name Deed and evidence that you are using your new name and living in your preferred gender (e.g. a payslip or bill in your new name).
Keep your Change of Name Deed in a safe place e.g. with your birth certificate.
Guide to Obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate
Without a full Gender Recognition Certificate, a transgender person is recognised in a legal sense as their birth gender, not their acquired or preferred gender.
The Gender Recognition Act 2004 therefore enables transgender people to have their UK birth certificates and legal gender changed by making an application to the Gender Recognition Panel. You do not have to get divorced from your spouse unless they do not consent to the certificate, in which case an Interim Gender Recognition Certificate can be used to dissolve the marriage.
Most applicants use the Standard Route. They must:
- be over 18
- have lived in their preferred gender for 2 years
- prove a prior diagnosis of gender dysphoria / gender incongruence
- provide two medical reports:
- one from their GP
- another from a gender specialist, confirming their diagnosis and any transition-related treatment (e.g. counselling, hormones or surgery).
Note: it is not necessary for them to have had surgery, but one of their reports should explain if they are waiting for surgery or give the reason for them deciding not to have it.
TIP: Start collecting evidence that you are living in your preferred gender as soon as possible (e.g. utility bills, medical records and other official documents in your new name).
The Alternative Route
Applicants must be over 18, have lived in their preferred gender for 6 years before 10 December 2014, and be able to prove a prior diagnosis of gender dysphoria/gender incongruence or surgery to modify their sexual characteristics.
They must also prove that they:
- were a party to a protected marriage or a protected civil partnership
- or a Scottish protected marriage or a Scottish protected civil partnership
…on or before the date of your application and remained still married or in a civil partnership on 10 December 2014 (for Scottish protected marriages and civil partnerships this date is 16 December 2014) and for marriages or civil partnerships registered in Northern Ireland this date is 13 January 2020.
The benefit of this route is that applicant only has to provide one medical report from a GP, surgeon, or gender specialist. It is suited to someone who has been living their preferred gender for a long time and may struggle to get two medical reports.
The Overseas Route
If an applicant’s preferred gender has already been legally accepted in certain other countries then there is a more streamlined route they can use.
Applicants must complete a written application form and provide supporting evidence, including a Statutory Declaration (a standard form which can be downloaded online and must be sworn in front of a solicitor or someone else who is able to administer oaths), their birth certificate, change of name deed, any marriage or divorce documents, and evidence that they have been living in their preferred gender.
The fee payable to the Gender Recognition Panel is £5 (although exemptions may apply if the applicant has a low income/is on benefits) and fees may also be charged for medical reports.
What happens next?
- The applicant is granted either a full or interim certificate.
- An interim certificate will be granted if they are married but do not have the consent of their spouse, or are married or in a Civil Partnership and want to dissolve it.
- If the application is rejected then they will be told why (this is usually due to insufficient evidence in support).
- It is possible to appeal to the Family Division of the High Court if the applicant believes the decision to be wrong on a point of law.
All of the forms and advice on the different routes can be downloaded here: www.gov.uk/apply-gender-recognitioncertificate/how-to-apply
There is also a specialist helpline available:
Email: GRPenquiries@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 300 1234 503
LGBT Foundation offers support for trans and non-binary people through our website, our helpline, services and events.
