Accepted by the UK Government
You can revert to your maiden name, take a completely new name, or keep your married name — the choice is entirely yours. Create a free deed poll if you need one.
To revert to the name you had before marriage, most UK organisations accept your decree absolute or final order alongside your birth or original marriage certificate. HM Passport Office, the DVLA and HMRC all accept this combination.
Some banks and building societies still prefer a deed poll for reverting. A deed poll removes any ambiguity because it is a single document stating exactly what your name is now.
If you want to take a name that is neither your married name nor your maiden name — for example, a grandparent's surname, a partner's name or an entirely fresh name — a deed poll is required. A decree absolute cannot evidence a name that has no connection to the marriage.
You are not required to change your name after divorce. Many people keep their married name for professional continuity or because it is the name their children share. There is no legal deadline that forces a change.
You can change your name at any point, including before the decree absolute is issued. If you sign a deed poll reverting to your maiden name during proceedings, it takes effect immediately regardless of the divorce timeline.
Changing your own surname does not change your children's. If you want to change your children's surname, everyone with parental responsibility (including your ex-partner if they have it) must consent, or a court must approve the change. See our guide on changing a child's name for the full rules.
Not necessarily. HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC and most banks accept the decree absolute or final order together with your original birth or marriage certificate as proof of reverting to your maiden name. Some banks still prefer a deed poll — a single document with your current legal name — so a deed poll removes any friction.
Yes, for reverting to your maiden name at most UK organisations. You cannot use a decree absolute to take a completely new surname — only to revert to a name you held before the marriage.
Yes, using a deed poll. There is no restriction on the name you choose provided it complies with general UK naming rules (not offensive, not containing numbers or symbols, not a title you're not entitled to, and so on).
No. Your name is a personal matter. There is no legal requirement to notify your ex-partner. The exception is if you are also changing your children's surnames, which requires the consent of everyone with parental responsibility.
Yes. A deed poll takes effect the moment it is signed and witnessed, regardless of where you are in the divorce process. Some people wait for the decree absolute to save on updating records twice, but there is no legal requirement to.
Everyone with parental responsibility must consent. Divorce does not remove parental responsibility, so your ex-partner's consent is normally required. If they refuse, the change requires a specific issue order from the family court. See our guide to changing a child's name.
Apply for a new passport through GOV.UK. Include your decree absolute and your original birth certificate if reverting to your maiden name, or your signed deed poll if taking any other name. HM Passport Office issues a new passport rather than amending the old one.
Most do, alongside your birth certificate. A few still prefer a deed poll for their records. If you find one is being awkward, a deed poll is universally accepted and takes the question off the table.
Yes. There is no requirement to change your name after divorce. Many people keep their married name for professional continuity, or to share a surname with their children.
Divorce does not automatically invalidate a will in England and Wales, but it treats your ex-spouse as if they had died before you for the purposes of any gift or appointment. A change of name is a good prompt to review and re-execute the will with your current name.
Preparing and signing a deed poll takes a day or two. Updating your main records typically takes two to six weeks: HM Passport Office is currently around three weeks for a standard application, the DVLA two to three weeks, and banks usually within a few working days.
Yes. A deed poll can change any combination of first name, middle names and surname in one document.
Create a free, legally valid deed poll in minutes. Print, sign in front of a witness and you're done.
Note: This site provides general information about UK unenrolled deed polls and is not a substitute for legal advice. We are independent and not affiliated with HM Government. If you need an enrolled deed poll, apply through the UK Government website.
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