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Practical UK name-change guide

Changing your name on NHS and GP records

Your GP practice is the way in. Once it updates your record, your NHS App and most NHS services pick up the change. A few health records sit outside that system and need telling separately.

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Checked against NHS guidance
Practical next steps
Sources linked below
Clear answers, with the source behind them

Practical guidance for your next name-change step. References are linked throughout and collected at the end.

Updated: 28 October 2026
On this pageQuick answerStart with your GPYour deed pollYour NHS numberOther health recordsChanging genderFAQs

The quick answer

Ask your GP practice to update your name. You can’t change your name in the NHS App itself: the NHS says to contact your GP surgery, and once they’ve changed it, the update appears in your account. Your NHS number stays the same. Hospitals, dentists, opticians and services such as the GHIC keep their own records, so tell them too.

Step by step

Start with your GP practice

Contact your GP practice.

Many have an online change of details form. Others ask for the request in writing and signed by you.

The practice updates your record.

Your name changes on your NHS record, and most NHS systems pick up the change from there.

Your NHS App follows.

The NHS says that once your GP surgery has made the change, it will appear in your account.

Tell the services that keep their own records.

Hospitals, dentists, opticians and a few NHS services. There’s a list below.

The NHS App help pages are clear on this: “If you want to update other personal details such as your name, contact your GP surgery.” You can change your home address in the app, but not your name. NHS App help: contact details

It works the same way in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: your GP practice holds your registration details, so start there.

Your next step

Will your GP want to see your deed poll?

Practices vary. The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust says a GP may ask to see a legal name change document such as a deed poll or statutory declaration, although showing one isn’t a legal requirement. Have it ready, and you won’t be held up if they do ask. The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust: changing your name, title or gender

If you’re registering with a new practice at the same time, give your new name on the registration form and mention your previous name, so your old records can be matched to you.

The practical details

Your NHS number stays the same

Your NHS number is the 10-digit number that identifies you across the NHS in England and Wales. NHS England says NHS numbers are valid for life, except in cases of adoption, gender reassignment or to protect someone’s identity. A change of name isn’t one of those, so you keep your number and your records stay linked to it. NHS England: the NHS number

You don’t need to know your NHS number to use NHS services, but it’s handy when you contact a hospital or clinic about your new name. You’ll find it in the NHS App.

One document for every record

Start with a prepared deed poll, then work through your GP, hospital, dentist and the rest with the same clear evidence.

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The practical details

Health records to tell separately

Hospitals

Medical records teams

Most NHS systems update after your GP does, but not all. The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, for example, says its hospital records system doesn’t update automatically. If you have appointments coming up, tell the hospital.

Dentist and optician

Their own patient records

Your dentist and optician keep their own records, whether you’re seen on the NHS or privately. Tell them at your next appointment or before it.

GHIC or EHIC

NHSBSA Overseas Healthcare Services

For anything beyond a typing error, the NHSBSA asks for a copy of your deed poll with a valid passport, or a marriage certificate, or a final order or decree absolute, sent by email with your reference number.

NHS Bursary

A Change of Circumstances form

The NHS Business Services Authority asks NHS Bursary students to send a Change of Circumstances form, with evidence such as a marriage certificate or deed poll.

Private health insurance, a private GP or clinic, and any health apps you pay for keep their own records too. Our name change checklist lists them. NHSBSA: changing the details on your GHIC or EHIC; NHSBSA: updating your name on your NHS Bursary

The practical details

If you’re changing your gender as well as your name

Tell your GP practice what you’d like changed: your name, your title and your gender marker. NHS England’s registration service says an adult can change their gender marker without changing their NHS number. If a new NHS number is issued, it isn’t linked to the old one, it can’t be undone, and any national data opt-out doesn’t carry across automatically, so talk it through with the practice first. PCSE: gender reassignment

Our trans name change guide covers the deed poll and the order to update everything else.

Your questions answered

Frequently asked questions

No. The NHS App says to contact your GP surgery to update your name. Once the practice has changed it, the update appears in your account.

No. NHS England says NHS numbers are valid for life, apart from cases of adoption, gender reassignment or protecting someone’s identity.

Some practices ask to see it and some don’t. It isn’t a legal requirement, but have it ready so the request isn’t held up.

Many NHS systems update after your GP does, but not all hospital systems do. If you’re under a hospital team or have appointments booked, tell them.

Email the NHS Business Services Authority with your reference number and a copy of your deed poll with a valid passport, your marriage certificate, or your final order or decree absolute.

Check the detail

Sources for this guide

Guidance and reference pages

Use the relevant organisation’s instructions when submitting your documents.

Continue your name change

Related guides

Your complete name-change checklist

Every organisation to tell, in a sensible order.

Changing your name with HMRC and National Insurance

How to tell HMRC, and what happens to your National Insurance number.

Changing a child’s name in the UK

Consent, the child deed poll and updating school and GP records.

Prepared for your next step

Your new name. Your deed poll, taken care of.

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