Changing your name

This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales

How to change your name

You can change your first, middle or surname at any time, as long as you do not intend to deceive or defraud anyone.

You can start to use the new name informally but for most official purposes you will need to produce evidence that you have changed your name.

How to record a change of name

If you were born or adopted in Scotland you can formally record the change of name on your birth or adoption certificate. There's a fee for recording a change of name. Read about how to record a change of name on the National Records of Scotland website.

In some cases it might not be in your interest to have the change recorded, for example, in the case of domestic violence. A change of name is recorded on a public register and anyone, for example a violent ex-partner, can see the change of name.

How many times can you record your change of name

There is a limit to the number of times that you can record a change of name with the Registrar General:

  • only 1 change of forename (including a middle name) and 1 change of surname can be recorded for a child under 16 years of age. For a child under the age of two, only a change of forename can be recorded

  • for people over 16 years, 1 change of forename and up to 3 changes of surname can be recorded. A period of 5 years must elapse between successive changes of surname

If you have reached the limit of the number of times that you can record a change of name, you can still change your name, but it cannot be officially recorded by the Registrar General.

Changing a name by statutory declaration

You can also officially change your name in Scotland using a statutory declaration. This is a document that can be drawn up and witnessed by a notary public, justice of the peace or local councillor. Read about how to get a statutory declaration signed on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service website. You can get advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Change of name after marriage or civil partnership

If you get married or register a civil partnership you can use any name, including your spouse's or partner’s, as long as no fraud is intended.

You do not need to formally record any name change because the marriage or civil partnership certificate is usually recognised as proof of a name change.

Read more about changing your name after marriage or civil partnership on the National Records of Scotland website.

Change of name after divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership

If you divorce or end a civil partnership you can go back to using your previous surname without having to formally record the change. The extract decree of divorce or dissolution of civil partnership is usually recognised as proof of the name change. If you are asked for further evidence of the name change contact the National Records of Scotland for advice.

If you formally recorded your married or civil partnership name change on your birth certificate you will have to use that process to change it back. Contact the National Records of Scotland for advice.

Gender reassignment and changing your name

Transgender people can change their name at any time. You don't have to have a gender recognition certificate or a new birth certificate to start using a new name. There's more information about changing your name on the Scottish Trans website. 

If you were not born or adopted in Scotland

If you were not born or adopted in Scotland, you can change your name in one of the following ways:

Changing a child’s name

Changing the name of a child under the age of 16 can only be done by someone who has parental responsibilities for the child. This will usually be the child’s parents if the parents are married, or the child’s mother if the parents are not married. An unmarried father can only change a child’s name if he has acquired parental responsibilities towards the child. He may have acquired these rights if, from 4 May 2006, he registered his child's birth jointly with the child's mother. Alternatively he can acquire parental responsibilities and rights through a parental responsibilities agreement or a court order.

There is more information about changing a child's name on the National Records for Scotland website.

If more than one person has parental responsibilities for the child, they must all agree to the change of name.

A mother who is under 16 herself can change her child’s name.

A person who gave the child’s forename in baptism also has the right to apply to change the child’s name. This usually only happens in cases where the parents have given the name initially and then decide to change it when the child is baptised.

Objecting to a child’s name being changed

If someone without parental responsibilities wants to object to a child’s name being changed, they may have to obtain a court order.

If you want to object to a child’s name being changed you should consult an experienced adviser. You can get more advice from your local citizens Advice Bureau.

Who to tell about your name change

Whether you choose to record your change of name or not, it is important to inform individuals or agencies, for example:

  • the passport office - find out how to update your passport on GOV.UK

  • DVLA - find out how to update your driving licence and vehicle registration on GOV.UK

  • your employer

  • mortgage provider

  • banks, building societies, and credit unions - current accounts, credit cards, loan agreements, savings and ISAs

  • pension providers - current and previous

  • healthcare practitioners - doctors and dentist

  • utility providers - gas and electricity companies

  • insurance - for example, home, life, and pet

  • benefits agency - DWP, HMRC, Social Security Scotland

  • student loans company.