Accepted by the UK Government
A deed poll is the standard way to change your name and title in the UK. You do not need a Gender Recognition Certificate to change your name. Create yours for free.
A deed poll is enough to change your first name, middle names and surname to any name of your choice. No medical evidence, no court process and no Gender Recognition Certificate is required for a name change alone.
Your title (Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms, Mx or none) is not a legal element of your name. You can ask any organisation to update your title without a deed poll. Some organisations record your title next to your name and will update both together on the strength of the deed poll.
The gender marker is separate from the name. HM Passport Office will update the gender marker on a UK passport on the strength of a deed poll plus a letter from a UK doctor or consultant confirming the change is likely to be permanent, or a Gender Recognition Certificate. The DVLA updates the gender marker on a driving licence on receipt of a deed poll or a Gender Recognition Certificate.
The NHS updates the gender marker on a patient's record on request through the GP, which also generates a new NHS number to keep medical records aligned.
A Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) is a legal document that recognises your acquired gender under the Gender Recognition Act 2004. It is not required to change your name, use a new title, or update the gender marker on most documents. A GRC is only strictly needed to change the sex recorded on a UK birth certificate and for a small number of specific legal circumstances.
You can use a new name socially, at work or with organisations that don't need documentary proof before signing a deed poll. Legal documents (passport, driving licence, tax records, bank accounts) can only be updated after the deed poll is signed and witnessed.
A deed poll is the standard way to change your name in the UK. There is no separate process for gender-related name changes — the same deed poll works for any reason.
No. A deed poll is enough to change your name and title. A Gender Recognition Certificate is only needed to change the sex recorded on your UK birth certificate and for a small number of other legal circumstances. It is not required to update your passport, driving licence, NHS record or most other documents.
Yes. HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC, the NHS, banks and most other UK organisations accept Mx as a title. Ask each organisation to update your record — a deed poll can list the new title but is not strictly required for a title change.
Yes. A deed poll is accepted for a name change on any grounds. To also change the gender marker on the passport, HM Passport Office asks for a letter from a UK doctor or consultant confirming the change is likely to be permanent, or a Gender Recognition Certificate.
Send the DVLA a completed D1 application (or D2 for lorries and buses), your current licence, and either a deed poll or a Gender Recognition Certificate. The DVLA issues a new licence in the updated name and gender.
Yes. Ask your GP to update your records. The NHS will issue a new NHS number and transfer your medical history so records remain aligned. This is a straightforward administrative process and does not require a Gender Recognition Certificate.
You can change the name on your birth certificate only through re-registration in narrow circumstances. To change the sex recorded on a UK birth certificate you need a Gender Recognition Certificate — the birth certificate is then reissued in the acquired gender.
No. A deed poll does not require you to state a reason. You choose your new name and sign; that is enough.
Yes. Employers can update your name and title on their internal systems on request. Payroll and HMRC records need documentary proof, so those are updated after the deed poll is signed.
Legally, you have one name at a time — the name on your current deed poll or original birth records. In practice, some people use one name professionally and another socially. Legal documents (passport, driving licence, tax and banking) must all match.
No. A name change is a personal matter. Your employer needs to know so your payroll and tax records are correct, but you are not required to explain the reason. Family notification is entirely your choice.
Yes, with the consent of everyone who holds parental responsibility. The process is the same as any other child's name change — see our guide to changing a child's name.
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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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