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If your name has changed and does not match your birth, naturalisation or registration certificate

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) will need to see documents that show both the date of and reason for your name change.

You must send original documents not copies. IPS will accept laminated documents as proof of name changes.

If you can't find the information you need here, you can call the IPS Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000. The line is open between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00 am and 5.30 pm on weekends and public holidays.

Marriage and civil partnership name changes

For married people, IPS will need to see marriage certificates.

For civil partners, IPS will need to see civil partnership certificates.

Going back to your maiden or unmarried name

If you have gone back to your maiden or unmarried name, IPS will need to see:

• your birth certificate
• a signed statement from you saying you have gone back to your maiden name for all purposes

Name changes by deed poll

In all other cases IPS will need to see your change of name deed.

If you have changed your name more than once you will need to send evidence of all changes of name.

If you are about to get married or form a civil partnership and take your husband, wife or partner's name

Think carefully if you are applying for a passport to use after you are married, perhaps for your honeymoon, showing your married name. It may be better to get a passport earlier in your unmarried name and change it later on.

This is because the name on your passport should match the name in which you book your travel. Even if you carry your marriage or civil partnership certificate with you, if the name on the passport does not match the booking:

• some countries may not let you in
• some travel companies may not let you board

You should check with your travel agent or the consulate of the country you plan to visit.

IPS can prepare a first passport in your married name any time up to three months before the wedding. But the passport is 'postdated'. This means you cannot use it before the day of the ceremony. Some countries will not issue visas for postdated passports. You should check with the consulate of the country concerned.

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If you decide to get a passport in your new name before the ceremony

You will need the form (PD2) and leaflet (PD1) 'Passports for Newly Weds and Civil Partners', which explain what you need to do. You can get these:

• by downloading them as PDF files
• from Post Office branches that offer the Passport Check & Send service
• by calling the Passport Adviceline 0300 222 0000 to get them sent to you

The form needs to be completed partly by you and partly by the person who is to conduct the ceremony. The leaflet explains this in more detail.

You should then apply for your passport in the normal way but will need to supply one extra document: a completed 'Passports for Newly Weds and Civil Partners' (PD2) form.

• Download PD1 - Passports for Newly Weds and Civil Partners leaflet (PDF, 141K)

• Download PD2 - Passports for Newly Weds and Civil Partners form (PDF, 110K)

• Help with PDF files Opens new window

• Find your nearest Check & Send Post Office (choose 'passport checking service' from the dropdown list) Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Foreign Office Travel Advice

• Identity and Passport Service (IPS)