What Name Change Documents do I need?

Your Certificate

The document you use to change your name will depend on your reason for name change. To get started you will need either a marriage certificate, Decree Nisi or Deed Poll.  Whatever your situation, we refer to this document as your certificate.  Financial institutions and government departments usually ask for additional documents to safeguard your identity.  We explain these requirements further on.

Marriage

If you are taking your husband's name, either in a straight swap with your own, or adding it to your existing name, you only need your marriage certificate.  See our section on wedding certificates for information on ordering.

Decree nisi or Decree absolute

If you are changing your name from divorce all organisations will accept your decree nisi issued by the court.  If you are not yet divorced you can still change your name.  See our section on separation name change for more information.

Deed Poll

For all other name changes you will need a deed poll.  These can be arranged online with reputable deed poll organisations.  Just Google Deed Poll for more information, or see our section on deed poll.

Additional documents

Each organisation sets their own requirements on name change procedure and can ask for a range of identification documents.  Recent money laundering laws require financial institutions to validate their client's identities before allowing personal changes.  This means you may be asked for documents such as a recent utility bill, a letter from a government department or bank statement.  These documents verify both your name and address. You may also be asked for updated photo ID, so we always recommend updating your driving licence or passport first.  Be sure to take a few photocopies of your licence or passport before updating as you may need to surrender it.  Showing a photocopy of your old id alongside your new ID can help prove your identity.

Certified documents

In some cases where an organisation does not want the responsibility of handling your original documents they may ask you for a certified copy.  This is a copy of the original that has been checked by a specific professional.  See our section on certified copies for more information.

How do I know what combination of documents to send?

The simplest way of knowing what documents each organisation requires is to buy an Easy Name Change personalised kit.  Browse our database of over 400 organisations and select who you need to notify.  You'll receive full name change procedures for each organisation, and we also list exactly what documents you need to send.

Otherwise you will need to set aside around half a day to do your own research.  Make a list of each organisation you need to notify, contact the call centres and after punching in a series of numbers and a lengthy wait on hold you can ask what to send.

As your Easy Name Change kit is instantly delivered, you can know all the documents you need to send straight away.  Then you can arrange to make multiple copies and get the necessary documents certified all at the same time.

Change Your Name The Easy Way™

Easy Name Change™ provides you a personalised and complete letter or fax for every company you need to notify of your new name. Our customers save around 6 hours as they don't need to do any research or letter writing. You don't even need to address an envelope!

Whether you are changing your name from marriage, divorce, separation or legally, Easy Name Change provides complete name change kits to suit any budget. Click here to start building your personalised name change kit.

Select Your Name Change Kit

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Name Change Forms
Easy Name Change Guide
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Organisation contact details provided
Select from over 300 Companies
Name Change requirements for every company
Personalised name change letters & faxes
Personalised checklist
Letters formatted for a window envelope
Hard copy sent by post
Updated Regularly (Last Updated Apr 2012)
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Cost	£49.95	£24.95	£9.95