Planning a wedding in the UK
Changing Your Name After Marriage in the UK
7 November 2026
Changing your name after marriage in the UK is mostly a matter of paperwork. You don't need a deed poll to take your spouse's or civil partner's surname: you send a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate to each organisation that holds your details. Here's what changing your name after marriage in the UK involves, and the order that tends to work best.
Quick answer: You don't need a deed poll to take your spouse's surname. Use your marriage or civil partnership certificate to update your passport, driving licence, HMRC record, bank and other accounts. Your passport can be changed before the wedding (up to 3 months before) or after it.
Key Takeaways
Your marriage or civil partnership certificate is the proof most organisations need.
You don't need a new passport if you marry but keep your name.
You can apply for a post-dated passport up to 3 months before the ceremony, but you can't use it until the wedding.
Changing the name on your driving licence is free.
Don't book travel in your new name until you have a passport in that name.
Do you need a deed poll?
No, not to take your spouse's or civil partner's surname. GOV.UK says you send a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate to record-holders instead.
A deed poll is for other changes, such as a completely new surname. Some organisations may only accept an enrolled deed poll for those, so check with them first.
Get your certificate first
After the ceremony, the signed marriage schedule is sent to your local register office and added to the register. You can then get your certificate, so contact the register office to ask how and how long it will take. Our guide to civil and religious ceremonies explains how the schedule is signed on the day.
Changing your passport
You'll need a new passport to travel abroad or prove your identity in your new name. You don't need one if you marry or form a civil partnership but keep your name.
After the ceremony
Send your marriage or civil partnership certificate with your passport application, including for a double-barrelled name. At the time of writing, GOV.UK lists the cost as £102 online or £115.50 on a paper form.
Before the ceremony
You can apply for a passport in your new name up to 3 months before your marriage or civil partnership. Your old passport is cancelled, and the new one is post-dated, so you can't use it before the ceremony.
You'll need a form called 'passports for newly weds and civil partners', signed by the minister or registrar who will conduct the ceremony. Some countries won't issue visas for post-dated passports, so check with the embassy if you need one.
Booking the honeymoon
The name on your passport must match the name on your travel booking. GOV.UK also advises not to book travel until you have a valid passport, because the new passport won't have the same number as the old one.
Changing your driving licence
Send DVLA your licence, the right application form and your original certificate. It doesn't cost anything to change your name on your driving licence, and you can keep driving while you wait for the new one.
If you have a vehicle, you must also update the name on its V5C log book.
Telling HMRC and everyone else
You need to tell HMRC if you've changed your name, which you can do online or through the HMRC app. After that, work through everyone else who holds your details:
Your employer and pension providers.
Your bank, building society and any credit cards.
Your GP and dentist.
Your council, for council tax and the electoral register.
Utility, phone and insurance providers.
A tip for the order
If you're travelling soon after the wedding, it can make sense to leave the passport until you're back, because the booking has to match the passport. If you aren't travelling, starting with the passport gives you photo ID in your new name for everything else.
If you're still planning, our wedding planning timeline shows where this fits in the months before the day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to change my name after marriage?
No. You can keep your name, and you don't need a new passport if you marry but keep your name.
Can I double-barrel our surnames without a deed poll?
GOV.UK says to send your marriage or civil partnership certificate when you apply for a passport in your new name, and that this includes double-barrelled names.
Is there a fee to change my driving licence?
No, changing the name on your driving licence is free.
Can my partner take my surname instead?
Yes. The same rule applies to either spouse or civil partner taking the other's surname.
Your next step
Order your marriage certificate, then decide whether you're travelling soon before you change your passport. For the earlier legal steps, see our legal steps to getting married.
If you haven't given notice yet, our guide to giving notice of marriage explains the appointment and the documents.
For the official rules, read GOV.UK's guide to changing your passport details.