Name and detail changes
A name, gender or appearance change means a new passport. Here is how the route works.
When you need a new passport
You need a new passport if you change your name, your gender, or your appearance so much that you cannot be recognised from your passport photo. GOV.UK has separate guidance for each of these name changes:
- marriage or civil partnership,
- divorce, or returning to a previous surname,
- adding a title or making a small change to a forename,
- other name changes.
Cost and how to apply
It costs £102 online or £115.50 on a paper form (adult). Paper forms come from a Post Office with a Check and Send service or from the Passport Adviceline. Fill in and sign the application using the name you want printed on the passport.
A countersignature is needed if your appearance has changed and you cannot be recognised from your current passport. You do not need one for a name change or for adding a title. See countersignatories.
If you hold a non-British passport, its name and gender must match the British passport details you want before you apply. Do not book travel until you have the new passport, as its number will differ from your old one. For a quick turnaround, 1 Week Fast Track covers changes to personal details: see urgent services.
The page we checked does not list the supporting documents: the online application tells you what to provide. For children, a name that differs from the documents needs a signed, dated letter from everyone with parental responsibility plus a deed poll and a record of the new name in use (child routes).