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Name rules explained

What names can’t I change to?

You can change to almost any name you like. The limits are few and simple: no numbers or symbols, nothing offensive, and a deed poll can’t give you a title. Here’s every rule from GOV.UK and the Passport Office’s own guidance, so your new name goes through first time.

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Almost any name is allowed
Every limit in one place
From the Passport Office’s own rules
Every rule, with the source behind it

Checked against GOV.UK and HM Passport Office’s caseworker guidance on names, titles and uncommon names. Sources are listed at the end.

Updated: 30 October 2026
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The quick answer

GOV.UK has three rules for a new name. It must be pronounceable, it can’t include numbers, symbols or punctuation (hyphens and apostrophes in names like O’Hara are fine), and it can’t be offensive or against the public interest. A deed poll also can’t change your title, such as Mr to Sir, or change only which letters are capitals.

Inside those rules the choice is yours: a new first name, a new surname, an unusual spelling, even a title-like word such as Duke as a first name. When you’ve chosen, our printed deed poll is £14.95 with free tracked delivery.

The basics

The rules every new name must follow

GOV.UK says your new name must be pronounceable, must not include symbols, numbers or punctuation unless it’s a hyphenated name or part of an established name like O’Hara, and must not be offensive or against the public interest. Its own example of a name against the public interest is adding Ltd to the end of your name. GOV.UK: change your name by deed poll

There are two things a deed poll can’t do at all. It can’t change which letters in your name are capitals, and it can’t change your title, such as Mr, Mrs, Sir, Lady or Doctor. Everything else is open: first names, middle names, surnames, spellings and the order they come in.

Your ideaCan you use it?
Jo-Anne, O’Brien or D’SouzaYes. Hyphens and apostrophes in names are fine
A number, such as Kai 7 SmithNo. Use the word instead, such as Kai Seven Smith
Sir, Lord or Duke as a first nameYes, as a name. Your passport will carry a note that it’s your name and not a title
Dr, Lady or Sir as your titleNo. A deed poll changes your name, not your title
Accents, such as Zoë or JoséYour passport can’t show accents and will print Zoe or Jose, so many people use the plain spelling everywhere
One name only, such as MadonnaPossible, but awkward. See the Passport Office rules below
Only changing the capitals, such as Mcdonald to McDonaldNot by deed poll
Swear words, or adding LtdNo
Your passport

What the Passport Office will print

HM Passport Office has its own guidance on names it can’t put in a passport. Its system accepts hyphens and apostrophes but no other symbols or punctuation. It can’t print accent marks, so a name like Zoë goes in as Zoe. And it can refuse a name that may cause outrage or offence or promote unlawful activity, such as swear words or sexually explicit words. HM Passport Office: names that cannot be used in passports

Long names. A passport has room for 30 characters, including spaces, for your forenames and 30 for your surname. If yours is longer, the Passport Office can shorten your extra names to initials, but never your first forename or first surname, and it adds a note in the passport giving your full name.

Single names. If you have only one name, the Passport Office records it as your surname, puts XXX in the first name field and adds a note that XXX isn’t part of your name. It works, but plenty of other systems insist on a first name and a surname, so most people keep both. HM Passport Office: how to show uncommon names in passports

Lord, Lady and Sir

Can I call myself Lord, Lady or Sir?

As a name, yes. HM Passport Office’s titles guidance says you can change your name by deed poll so that a word like Duke becomes one of your forenames. Your passport shows your full name with a note that the word is your name and not your title. HM Passport Office: titles included in passports

What a deed poll can’t do is give you a title. The same guidance says there’s no legal basis for changing your title, for example from Mr to Sir, and that honours can’t be added by a change of name deed. Bought titles, such as a plot of land sold with a Lord or Laird title, are a separate matter with their own evidence rules.

Ordinary names, unusual names and new spellings are all fine. The only names our acceptance guarantee excludes are ones an organisation reasonably refuses, such as a name that’s offensive, misleading or implies a title or honour you don’t hold.

Worth knowing

Other things to know before you choose

  • You can change any part of your name. First names, middle names and surnames can all change in one deed poll, and you can add or drop names too. Our guides to first names and middle names go into the detail.
  • Famous names are fine. You can share a name with a celebrity. You can’t use a name to pass yourself off as someone else or for fraud. Our celebrity name changes page shows how many stars changed theirs.
  • Age. From 16 you can make your own deed poll. For a younger child, a parent with parental responsibility changes it, normally with everyone else who has it agreeing. Our child name change guide explains.
  • Registered offenders must tell the police about a new name within 3 days. GOV.UK says it’s a criminal offence not to. Our guide to telling the police covers who this applies to.
  • You can change it again later. There’s no limit, but keep every document, because the Passport Office asks to see how each name links to the next.

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Tips for a name that works everywhere

Say it out loud

If people can’t pronounce it, GOV.UK’s first rule says it won’t work. Try it on a few friends.

Keep each part under 30 characters

That’s the passport limit for your forenames and for your surname, including spaces. Stay under it and your passport shows your name in full.

Pick one spelling and stick to it

If your name has an accent, decide whether you’ll use the plain spelling everywhere, because your passport will.

Decide on hyphens now

Smith-Jones and Smith Jones are different names to a computer. Use the exact form you want on your deed poll, and our double-barrelled surname guide helps you choose.

Your questions answered

Frequently asked questions

Almost. GOV.UK says your new name must be pronounceable, can’t include numbers, symbols or punctuation apart from hyphens and apostrophes in names like O’Hara, and can’t be offensive or against the public interest. Within those rules, the choice is yours.

Not as a digit. GOV.UK doesn’t allow numbers in a new name, so write it as a word instead, such as Seven.

Yes, as a name. HM Passport Office’s guidance allows a title-like word as one of your forenames, and your passport will carry a note saying it’s your name and not your title. A deed poll can’t change your actual title, such as Mr to Sir.

You can, but it’s awkward. HM Passport Office records a single name as your surname and puts XXX in the first name field, with a note explaining it. Many other organisations’ systems expect a first name and a surname too.

There’s no legal limit, but a passport has room for 30 characters, including spaces, for your forenames and 30 for your surname. Longer names are shortened, with your full name noted in the passport.

No. GOV.UK says a deed poll can’t be used to change which letters in your name are capitalised.

Check the detail

Sources for this guide

Guidance and reference pages

The official rules this guide is based on, checked in October 2026.

Continue your name change

Related guides

Can I change my first name?

New first names, nicknames and what to tell work.

Changing your middle name

Adding, removing or swapping a middle name.

What is a deed poll?

The document that makes your new name official.

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