Names: change of name passport applications

Question 1

About: Names: change of name passport applications

Accepted Answer

This guidance tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff how to deal with passport applications that have a change of name, including:

how customers apply to change their name
how to deal with:
- adult and child name changes
- name changes for someone who you suspect is an offender
- name changes and name differences after the customer has registered or naturalised
- a change of name as the customer has changed gender
- a change of name after a passport was lost or stolen
- name changes for British overseas citizens and British overseas territory citizens
- name changes on joint citizenship applications
- name changes for diplomats and officials
- name changes and differences when the customer needs an interview
- name changes on standard, heightened and substantial risk applications
additional checks that you need to do when the customer has changed their name
name changes that may be an indication of fraud
carrying out searches and file requests when the customer has changed their name
name changes that may be an indication of fraud

Contacts

If you have any questions about the guidance and your line manager or senior caseworker cannot help you or you think that the guidance has factual errors then email Guidance & Quality, Operating Standards.

If you notice any formatting errors in this guidance (broken links, spelling mistakes and so on) or have any comments about the layout or navigability of the guidance then you can email Guidance & Quality, Operating Standards.

Publication

Below is information on when this version of the guidance was published:

version 18.0
published for Home Office staff on 14 November 2022

Changes from last version of this guidance

This guidance has been updated to reflect the change of name of the Queen’s Messenger Service to the King’s Messenger Service.

Question 2

How customers apply when they have a change of name

Accepted Answer

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office staff how customers may apply for their passport when they have a change of name. It also tells them what to do if a customer records the wrong service type on their application.

A customer may apply for their passport following a change of name, using a:

postal application
online application
counter application

Change of name: postal and online applications

Customers may use a paper application form to apply for their passport when they have a change of name. If they do, they must:

tell us (on section 1 of the application form) they have a change of name
include their previous name (on section 2) on the application

Depending on the type of application, some customers may apply to renew their passport online, when they have a change of name. However, they must still include their previous name when they apply.

For applications on the Digital Application Processing (DAP) system, examiners will be presented with a task, if the customer does not declare a change of name but it’s different to the one on their last passport (see DAP – change of personal details).

Change of name: counter applications

We accept paper Premium (adults only) and Fast Track applications that have a change of name. The service available to customers depends on the type of name change. Customers can use the:

Paper Premium service or the Fast Track service, if they are renewing their passport and have changed their name because they have married or entered into a civil partnership
Fast Track service, if they are renewing their passport and have changed their name, other than because they married or entered into a civil partnership

Front office examiners must make sure the customer puts all of their previous names on the application and note them on the ‘Back office examination form’.

Back office examiners must carry out watchlist and Main Index (MI) checks when dealing with a change of name (see Names - name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

Digital Premium Service applications: change of name

Customers using the Digital Premium Service (DPS) must put their previous name in the ‘previous name’ section of the application. If the name has more than 47 characters, it will be shown in the ‘additional information’ section.

Correct service types for when there is a change of name

AMS service types when there is a change of name

If you are dealing with an application where the customer has reported a change of name, you must make sure the customer has selected the correct service type. You must check if the application is held on either:

AMS (Application Management System)
DAP (Digital Application Processing)

Some customers tell us on their passport application that they have a change of name but record the service type as ‘renewal’ instead of ‘changes’.

If there is a change of name but the customer recorded it as ‘renewal’, you, the examiner, must update the service type on the Application Management System (AMS) to ‘changes’.

AMS service types when there is a change of name

Some customers tell us on their passport application that they have a change of name but record the service type as ‘renewal’ instead of ‘changes’.

If there is a change of name but the customer recorded it as ‘renewal’, you the examiner, must update the service type on AMS to ‘changes’.

DAP service types when there is a change of name

You do not need to correct service types on the DAP system, as it will present you with a task if the customer changed their name but did not declare it.

When the change of name application is from a third party

You must carefully deal with passport applications that include a change of name from a third party. The third party must provide evidence:

of the change of name and evidence the customer uses it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
that they are the correct person to give us the change of name (see Authorisation and Consent)

If the customer is unable to complete or make their own change of name deed or statutory declaration (for example, they have a severe disability) we will consider:

a court order that allows the third party to change the customer’s name
a statutory declaration made by a third party that shows the customer’s old and new names, together with the reasons for the change, supported by additional evidence, for example, a letter from:
- a health authority confirming they have known the customer in both their old and new name
- an older relative confirming the reasons for the change of name from the old to the new name
- another government department (for example, a local authority), confirming they have known the customer in both their old and new name

When the customer has a change of name but asks us to use their old one

If a customer or parent tells us their name (or their child’s name) has changed, but then asks us to use the old name, because they do not have evidence to prove the new name, you must:

refer the application for EAC (Enhanced Application Checking) if the application is processed on AMS
complete additional checks, and decide if you need to Refer for investigation for applications processed on DAP

Question 3

Changing an adult’s name

Accepted Answer

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff how to deal with adult applications that include a change of name.

When dealing with an application for an adult change of name, you must use the guidance in this section with:

change of name on British overseas citizen (BOCs) and British overseas territory citizen (BOTCs), if the change of name is for BOCs or BOTCs customers
name and change of name on diplomatic or official passport applications, if the application is for a diplomat or official
Digital Application Processing: change of name applications, if the application is in DAP

Why adults may change their name

Customers may change their name, because they have:

married or entered into a civil partnership
divorced
changed gender

Customers may also decide to change their name for other reasons and do this using:

enrolled deed polls, unenrolled deed polls or change of name deeds
statutory declarations
acts of Parliament
affidavits

The name the customer uses must be acceptable for use in the passport. You, the examiner, must refer to:

names that cannot be used in the passport, for names:
- that may cause public offence
- the system cannot accept because of technical reasons
- that may breach trademark or copyright laws
how to show uncommon names, for:
- names that have cultural or naming conventions (traditions that mean a name must be shown in a certain way)
- Welsh names
- Irish and Gaelic names
- names that have junior prefixes or suffixes
- stage, professional and religious names
- customers who only have a single name
- names that have titles

Reducing fraud risks when an adult changes their name

Most customers will change their name for genuine reasons. To reduce the risk of customers changing their name for fraudulent reasons, you must refer to the:

confirming identity guidance for any additional checks you must carry out when the customer has changed their name
risk indicators guidance, to check if the change of name is an indication of fraud

System checks and case noting when changing an adult’s name

When using this guidance to change a name, you, the examiner, must refer, to Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings, to:

carry out checks on:
- Main Index (MI), to make sure there is not an existing or expired passport held in a previous version of the name
- all combinations of the new and old name against the watchlist
make sure the case notes include all correct information

Evidence we need to change an adult’s name

You must refer to Names: evidence to change a name, for what you can accept if an adult customer changes their name. In most cases, customers who change their name, must provide 1 piece of evidence that shows:

the change of name (for example, a marriage certificate if the customer changed the name because they married or a statutory declaration)
they use their new name for all official purposes

Customers aged 16 or 17 year olds whose name changed before they turned 16

If a customer aged 16 or 17 applies for a passport and their name changed before they turned 16, you must refer to child’s name has changed before they turned 16 but the passport application was sent after they turned 16.

Adult customers whose name changed before they turned 16

We may get a passport application for a customer aged 18 or over whose name changed before they turned 16. As they are now aged 18 or over, they do not need parental consent to change their name. We will accept they are using the name if they send us evidence of the name change (for example, this could be a change of name deed made before they turned 16) and that they use it for all official purposes.

Change of name after a passport was lost or stolen

Customers who have changed their name after their passport was lost or stolen, must still provide evidence to show they have changed their name, in line with this guidance.

They must also report their passport lost or stolen when applying for a replacement passport.

Change of name following a marriage or civil partnership

There is no legal basis for customers to change their name because they have married or entered into a civil partnership. Customers may:

keep their own name (birth or legal surname, if they previously changed it)
take their partner’s surname
create a double-barrelled surname made up of their own and partners surnames (see What we class as a double barrelled surname to understand what we will and will not accept as a double barrelled name)

Also see, BN(O) customer has double barrelled name following marriage.

Customer was previously married or in a civil partnership

Marriage and civil partnership certificates that say ‘divorced’ or ‘previous marriage dissolved’ indicates the customer was previously married or in a civil partnership. It does not always mean they used a previous name.

If the marriage or civil partnership certificate shows ‘divorce’ or ‘previous marriage dissolved’, you do not need question it with the customer, as long as:

the marriage or civil partnership certificate shows the link between the previous and new name

Customers who take their partner’s surname as their own

A customer who takes their partner’s surname as their own new surname, must provide evidence of the change of name, which will usually be a marriage or civil partnership certificate.

We do not need any other evidence, as long as the marriage or civil partnership certificate shows the link between the customer’s previous and new name.

Marriage and civil partnerships: multiple changes of name

Customers who change their name more than once through marriage or civil partnerships, must provide evidence that shows each name change and the link between each name change. This must go back to the name on their:

birth or adoption certificate (for first time applications)
old passport (for renewal or replacement applications)

Non-dual citizens: previous surname as additional forename

Customers who have married or entered into a civil partnership, may use their previous surname as a new forename. If they do, they must provide us with:

evidence of the change of name, such as a statutory declaration (we cannot accept the marriage or civil partnership certificate as evidence of a change of name)
evidence they use the name for all purposes

This is because we treat adding a forename as a change of name.

You must:

1. Check you have evidence of the change of name (Names: evidence to change a name).

2. Check if you need to carry out any system checks on the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

3. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings, for what you must include in the case note).

4. Issue the passport in the customer’s new name.

Non-dual citizens who use their old surname and new surname

Customers may take their new married or civil partner’s surname but use both their previous and new surname (for example, for professional purposes). They must confirm they do on section 8 of the application form or provide us with a written and signed statement.

As long as they are not dual citizens, when you get the written statement, you must:

1. Check you have evidence of the change of name (see Names: evidence to change a name).

2. Check if you need to carry out any system checks on the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

3. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

4. Add an observation to show: ‘The holder is also known as [forename and previous surname]’.

5. Issue the passport in the customer’s new name.

Non-dual citizens who use their previous surname

Customers may take their new married or civil partner’s surname but only use their previous surname for all official purposes. They must sign the application form in their previous surname and give us:

evidence of a change of name (which will usually be a marriage or civil partnership certificate)
evidence they use their old name for all official purposes

You must:

1. Check you have evidence of the change of name (see Names: evidence to change a name).

2. Check if you need to carry out any system checks on the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

3. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

4. Add an observation to show ‘The holder is also known as [forenames and married or partner’s surname]’.

5. Issue the passport in the customer’s previous name (they use for all official purposes).

What we class as a double barrelled surname

A double barrelled surname is created by joining 2 existing surnames using a space or a hyphen. For example:

Linda Crickle marries or enters a civil partnership with John Wood, and they create a double barrelled name of Crickle-Wood or Crickle Wood

We can accept a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate as evidence the name is used for all official purposes if a customer creates a double barrelled surname.

The customer’s name will not be double barrelled if they combine their own and their partners surnames to make a new name consisting of one word, (without a hyphen or space), such as when:

Linda Crickle and John Wood combine their surnames to create the name Cricklewood

In this scenario we cannot accept their change of name without additional evidence (such as a change of name deed) and proof the name is used for all official purposes.

Non-dual citizens: using a double barrelled surname

Customers who married or entered into a civil partnership, may take their previous and new surname to make a doubled barrelled surname, with or without a hyphen.

Customers must provide us with evidence of the change of name (usually, a marriage or civil partnership certificate). We do not need any other evidence, as long as the marriage or civil partnership certificate shows:

the link between the customer’s old and new name
how the new name was made
the spelling of the name has not changed

You, the examiner, must:

1. Check you have evidence of the change of name (see Names: evidence to change a name).

2. Check if you need to carry out any system checks on the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

3. Add a case note show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

4. Issue the passport in the customer’s new name.

Non-dual citizens: no longer using double barrelled surname

If we issued a customer with a passport in a double barrelled surname (using their previous surname and their married or civil partner surname) but they want to renew it using just their married or civil partner surname, we need evidence:

of a change of name (for example, statutory declaration) as we cannot use the marriage or civil partnership certificate
they use the name for all official purposes

You must:

1. Check you have evidence of the change of name (see Names: evidence to change a name).

2. Check if you need to carry out any system checks on the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

3. Add a case note show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warningsfor what you must include in the case note).

4. Issue the passport in the customer’s new name.

Non-dual citizen husband who takes a wife’s name

A husband may decide to take their partner’s name when they have married or entered into a civil partnership.

The customer must provide us with evidence of the change of name (usually, a marriage or civil partnership certificate). We do not need any other evidence if the marriage or civil partnership certificate clearly shows the link between the old and new names.

You must:

1. Check you have evidence of the change of name (see Names: evidence to change a name).

2. Check if you need to carry out any system checks on the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

3. Add a case note show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

4. Issue the passport in the customer’s new name.

Dual citizens using double barrelled or single names

You must refer to Names: aligning names on foreign documents, if a customer has married or entered into a civil partnership and has applied for their passport in a:

single name (but their foreign passport is in a double barrelled name)
double barrelled name (but their foreign passport is in a single name)

Dual citizens using their old name

We will issue a passport in the old name, as long as the customer’s name on the passport application form matches their name on the foreign passport.

This is because dual citizens may have multiple passports and we expect them to change their names (on their foreign passports) to match the name on their passport application (see Names: aligning names on foreign documents).

This reduces the risk of customers using multiple names to travel across borders using different identities.

Post-dated passports in a married or civil partnership name

Some customers apply for their passport in a future married or civil partnership name (for example, because they plan to travel directly after the ceremony). You must refer to applications for post-dated passports when dealing with the application.

Change of name due to divorce

How we deal with customers who change their name through divorce, will depend on if they:

revert to their birth name and had no other previous changes of name (between their birth name and married or civil partner name)
revert to their birth name and had a previous change of name (between their birth name and married or civil partner name)
revert to a previous name that was not their birth name
change their name to a brand new name

Customer reverts to birth name: no previous name changes

If a customer reverts to their birth name from a married or civil partnership name and had no other previous name changes (so the only previous change of name was from the birth name to the married or civil partner name) the customer must:

send us:
- their full birth certificate (you may accept a short birth certificate, as long as it shows you all of the information you need)
- their marriage or civil partnership certificate that shows how the name changed from their birth name to their married or civil partner name (if they do not send it, see customers who do not send their marriage or civil partnership certificate or just send their divorce document
- a signed statement to explain why they are reverting to their birth name
- evidence they use the birth name for all official purposes
sign the declaration form in their birth name

Customer reverts to birth name: previous name changes

If a customer reverts to their birth name from their married or civil partnership name but they had a change of name in between (for example, when a customer changed their birth name by deed poll and then again by marriage or civil partnership), you must:

ask the customer for:
- their full birth certificate (you may accept the short birth certificate as long as it shows you all of the information you need)
- their marriage or civil partnership certificate that shows how the name changed from their previous name to their married or civil partner name (if they do not send it, see customers who do not send their marriage or civil partnership certificate or just send their divorce document)
- a signed statement to explain they are reverting to their birth name
- evidence they use the birth name for all official purposes
make sure you can see the link between all of the name changes from the birth name to the married or civil partner name (using the passport history records or the change of name documents, if you have them)

If you cannot see the link between the names (for example, the passport history is not clear or there is no record of a change of name document) you must:

ask the customer for the change of name documents that shows the link from the birth name to the married or civil partner name
ask for evidence that shows the customer was using the names (if the customer cannot provide the change of name document)
consider if you have enough information that shows the link from the birth name to the married or civil partner name

If you are not satisfied with the link from the birth name to the married or civil partner name, you must treat the change as a new change of name and ask for evidence:

of a change of name (or example, statutory declaration)
they use the name for all purposes

Evidence to confirm a divorce

Some customers may send us their divorce document or final order (a document to show someone has legally brought their civil partnership to an end). We do not usually need it, but we will accept it instead of a marriage or civil partnership certificate, if it shows the link between their names.

If the customer does not have their divorce document, you must refer to change of name evidence: divorce documents.

Where a customer does not send their marriage certificate or their divorce document or final order, you may use MI to check the link between the birth name and the married or civil partner name. You must only do it when you have the customer’s full birth certificate, evidence they use the name for all official purposes and a signed statement.

You must check the old passport records and notes on MI to see if it clearly shows the link between the birth name and the married or civil partner name.

If it:

does you do not need to ask the customer for their marriage or civil partnership certificate or divorce document
does not, you must ask the customer for their marriage or civil partnership certificate

Customer reverts to a name that is not their birth name

Some customers may:

revert to a previous name that is not their birth name, for example, to a:
- previous married or civil partner name
- a name they previously changed to by deed poll
- change their name to a brand new name

If they do, you must treat it as a change of name and ask the customer for evidence:

of the change
they use the name for all purposes

Change of name: adult changed gender

If the customer has changed their name because they have changed gender, you must refer to name changes because the customer has changed gender.

Adults change of name after registration or naturalisation

You must refer to name changes and name differences after the customer has naturalised or registered, when dealing with:

changes of name after the customer naturalised or registered
differences with the customer’s name, after the customer registered or naturalised

Minor changes to forenames and surnames

We consider a minor change to a:

forename as:
- a change to the spelling (for example, from Lesley to Leslie)
- a change to the order of the forenames
- adding or dropping a hyphen between 2 forenames (as long as a forename does not become a surname or a surname does not become a forename)
- dropping a forename
surname as:
- the adding or removing of a hyphen on a double barrelled name

We do not consider adding a forename as a minor change of name. If a customer does, they must provide evidence that they have changed their name and use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

If a customer uses their previous surname as a new forename, as they have married or entered in to a civil partnership, you must refer to non-dual citizens who use their previous surname as an additional forename.

We accept applications that show a minor change to the forename, as long as the customer provides 2 pieces of evidence that shows they use the name for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

Minor forename changes: first time adult applications

The customer may tell you the name on their application has changed slightly from the name on their supporting documents.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Tell the customer you will issue a passport using the name on the:

application, if they provide 2 pieces of evidence to show they use the name for all official purposes
birth certificate with an observation to show they are also known as [name on application form], if they do not provide 2 pieces of evidence to show they use the name for all official purposes

3. Make sure the name correctly shows on the system, by using the name on the:

birth certificate (if the customer does not provide 2 pieces of evidence to show they use the name for all official purposes)
application (if the customer provides 2 pieces of evidence to show they use the name for all official purposes)

4. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you’ve made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

5. Issue the passport.

Adding or removing a hyphen on a double-barrelled surname

If a customer adds or removes a hyphen on a double barrelled surname without any evidence, we will accept the name, as long as they have not changed the spelling or order of their name.

Minor changes on renewal and replacement applications

When a customer sends a renewal or replacement application with a minor change to their name (for example, Michael to Micheal), you must:

tell the customer you will issue a passport in the name on their old passport, unless they give you 2 pieces of evidence that shows they use the name for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)

If a customer tells you they will send you evidence, you must:

1. Electronically store the application, while you wait for their evidence.

2. Deal with the change of name, in line with current guidance when you get the evidence.

The customer may tell you to use the name shown on the old passport.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Update the name on the system with the name on their old passport.

3. Add a case note to show all actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

Middle name held old passport: not on new application

The customer’s old passport may show a middle name, but the customer does not include it on their renewal or replacement application and there is no evidence to show they have changed their name.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Update the name on the system to include the customer’s middle name, as shown on their old passport.

3. Deal with the application (in line with current guidance).

4. Add a case note to show all actions and decisions you made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

Middle name on new application: not on the old passport

If the old passport does not show a middle name but the renewal or replacement application shows one, you must consider why. For example, it may not have originally been included because:

of an error (for example, the customer never changed their name and it should have been on the previous passport)
the customer changed their name by statutory declaration (to remove the middle name)

If the middle name was not originally included because:

the customer formally changed their name (to remove it) and they now want to include it, they must provide us with evidence of a change of name and evidence they use it for all official purposes
we previously treated it as a minor change of name, they must provide us with 2 pieces of evidence they use the name (so we can treat it as a minor change to add it back on)
of an error (meaning it should have originally been included) we can accept the customer’s birth certificate that shows the middle name, as evidence

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Tell the customer what evidence to send (depending on why the middle name was not originally included).

3. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

4. Add a case note to show all actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

Previous passport names in a different order to the application

If the order of the forename and middle names on the old passport is different to the order of the names on the renewal or replacement application, you must contact the customer and ask them to confirm the name they use for all official purposes.

The customer may want their forename and middle name on their passport in the same order as on their old passport.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Update the names on the system so that they match the name on the old passport.

3. Add a case note to show all actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

If the customer wants their name in the new order they’ve put on their application form, ask them to send you 2 pieces of evidence that shows they use it for all official purposes (see evidence to change a name).

Name on old passport: different spelling to application

When the spelling of a forename or middle name on the customer’s old passport is different to the spelling on their renewal or replacement application, you must contact them and ask them to confirm the name they use for all official purposes.

The customer may want the passport in the same spelling as their old passport.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Update the name the system so it matches the name on the old passport.

3. Add a case note show all actions taken and decisions made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

If the customer wants the name in the new spelling, you must ask them to send 2 pieces of evidence that shows they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

Name on old passport: in a different order to the application

When a customer’s forename and surname on their old passport is in a different order to their name on the new passport, you must contact them and ask them to confirm the name they use for all official purposes.

The customer may want their passport issued in the name that is in the same order as on the old passport.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Update the name on the system so that it matches the name on the old passport.

3. Add a case note to show all actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

If the customer wants their name in a new order, you must ask them to send evidence of the change of name and evidence they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

Customer adding or removing a hyphen between 2 forenames

When a customer sends a renewal or replacement application and they add or remove a hyphen between 2 forenames, you must tell the customer you will issue a passport in the name on their old passport.

You can issue a passport using their new name if they give you 2 pieces of evidence that shows they use the name for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)

If a customer tells you they will send you evidence, you must:

1. Electronically store the application, while you wait for their evidence.

2. Deal with the change of name, in line with current guidance when you get the evidence.

The customer may tell you to use the name shown on the old passport.

You must

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Update the name on the system with the name on their old passport.

3. Add a case note to show all actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

When a name is considered unusual

If you accept a name change but you consider it to be unusual, you must first discuss the application with your line manager. If they agree, you must:

1. Tell the customer they must confirm in writing that they understand we cannot take responsibility for any difficulties they may have when they use their passport.

2. Keep a permanent record of the letter (see How to keep scans of documents).

Joint Citizen application (JCAP): difference in spelling

When dealing with JCAP applications, examiners must use the Withdrawing Joint Citizenship and Passport applications (JCAP) guidance.

There may be a difference with the spelling of a name on the system and the application form.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Confirm the correct spelling with the customer and ask for supporting documents to show the correct spelling (if you do not already have it).

3. Change the name on the system (if it’s a spelling mistake).

4. Add a case note to the application so that UK Visa and Immigration issues the nationality certificate in the correct name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

Question 4

Changing a child’s name

Accepted Answer

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff how to deal with child applications that include a change of name.

When dealing with change of name for an adult, you must refer to changing an adult’s name.

You must use the guidance in this section with:

change of name on British overseas citizen (BOCs) and British overseas territory citizen (BOTCs) applications, if the change of name is for BOCs or BOTCs customers
name and change of name on diplomatic or official passport applications, if the application is for a diplomat or official
Digital Application Processing: change of name applications, if the application is in DAP

System checks and case noting when changing a child’s name

When using this guidance to change a child’s name, you, the examiner, must refer to Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings to:

carry out checks on:
- Main Index (MI), to make sure there is not an existing or expired passport held in a previous version of the name
- all combinations of the new and old name against the watchlist

Case noting when changing a child’s name

When using this guidance to change a child’s name, you, the examiner, must refer to Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings to make sure the case notes include all correct information.

HM Passport Office’s definition of a child

Our definition of child may be different to other government departments. The children’s guidance tells you what we define as a child.

Why a child may change their name

Children may change their name, through:

a change of gender
enrolled deed polls, unenrolled deed polls or change of name deeds
adoption
court orders, specific issues orders and overseas court orders
statutory declarations
affidavits
acts of Parliament

The new name the child uses must be acceptable for use in the passport. You, the examiner, must refer to:

names that cannot be used in the passport, for names:
- that may cause public offence
- the system cannot accept because of technical reasons
- that may breach trademark or copyright laws
how to show uncommon names for:
- names that have cultural or naming conventions (traditions that mean a name must be shown in a certain way)
- Welsh names
- Irish and Gaelic names
- names that have junior prefixes or suffixes
- stage, professional and religious names
- customers who only have a single name
- names that have titles

Reducing the risk of fraud when a child’s name has changed

Most customers will change their name for genuine reasons. To reduce the risk of customers changing their name for fraudulent reasons, you must refer to the:

confirming identity guidance for any extra checks you must carry our when the customer has changed their name
risk indicators guidance, to check if the change of name is an indication of fraud

Evidence we need to change a child’s name

Customers, who apply for their child’s passport with a change of name, must provide evidence to show the:

change of name (for example, a statutory declaration)
new name is being used for all official purposes

You must refer to Names: evidence to change a name for what you can accept.

We will need everyone with parental responsibility to give their consent to change a child’s name (see consent needed to change a child’s name).

Types of child name changes

Unlike adult change of names, we do not recognise minor changes to a child’s name. Any type of change to a child’s name is seen as a change of name, including:

dropping the forename or middle name
changing the spelling of the forename or surname
adding a forename, middle name or surname
changing the forename or middle name
changing the order of the forename and middle name
changing the surname
changing the full name
adding or removing a hyphen

Parental responsibility: when changing a child’s name

Everyone with parental responsibility must give consent to change the name for anyone under the age of 16 (18 if the child has a care order or court order in place). Normally, both parents have parental responsibility, but others may get it through court orders or something similar.

When dealing with a change of name for a child, you must:

consider who has parental responsibility
check that everyone with parental responsibility has given consent to change the child’s name
consider if there are any court orders that:
- prevent the child’s name from being changed
- allow the child’s name to be changed without the consent of everyone who has parental responsibility (see parents and guardians: consent guidance for types of court orders)

If it’s unclear if the parent has sole parental responsibility, you must:

send letter 319 to the customer to ask them to confirm in writing, that they have sole responsibility
keep a permanent record of the customer’s reply on the system
add a case note to show all of the actions and decisions you made

We are guided by the legal position on who can change a child’s name. It is defined by case law and the judgement given by the Court of Appeal on case Re P (1997) 2 FLR 730.

The case was about whether a county council was obliged to recognise a change of surname for 3 children, when:

they were presented with a signed deed poll, as evidence of the change of name
the father (who had parental responsibility) did not give consent to change their names

The court’s decision was that the change of a child’s surname was fundamental and where there is a dispute and both parents have parental responsibility, either:

the consent of both parents is needed
a court order is needed that allows the change of name without the consent of everyone who has parental responsibility

To make sure we are consistent with the conditions of different parts of the UK, our approach to consent and parental responsibility applies to all child changes of name.

Caveats (objections to a child having a passport)

A parent, or other interested party, can submit a caveat to a child having a passport.

If someone submits a caveat, you must refer to the parents and guardians: consent guidance, when dealing with a passport application for a child. You must scan any documents about caveats on the system.

Parental responsibility: vulnerable customers and children

We usually need the consent of everyone with parental responsibility to change a child’s name. Some customers may not be able to get the consent of someone with parental responsibility, if it would put their (or their child’s) welfare at risk (for example, if they may be subject to abuse). When this happens, you must refer to safeguarding: consent issues.

If you have any doubts about the consent being genuine, you must refer to the Authorisation and consent guidance.

Customers applying from overseas, must provide any court orders relating to a child. You must refer to the parents and guardians: consent guidance, when dealing with an overseas application that includes a court order relating to a child.

You must scan on the system:

letters of consent
court orders
caveats
any letters you got that helped you make your decision

The scanning supporting documents guidance tells you how to scan documents on to the system.

Watchlist checks on everyone with parental responsibility

Parents must add their details to the application. For applications on:

AMS, you must carry out manual watchlist checks on:
- the child’s parents
- anyone else with parental responsibility who consents to a child’s change of name, including if they are named in a court order
the Digital Application Processing (DAP) system:
- DAP will automatically carry out the check on the parents
- you must manually carry out a watchlist check on anyone else with parental responsibility who consents to a child’s change of name, including if they are named in a court order

If we cannot get the consent from everyone with parental responsibility, the customer must send us a court order that shows it allows them to change a child’s name, without needing the consent of everyone with parental responsibility.

If someone with parental responsibility has died, you must refer to ‘when someone with parental responsibility has died or loco parentis (in place of a parent) applies’.

Full birth certificates showing parental responsibility

In some cases, we may be able to check who has parental responsibility using the full birth certificate (see full birth certificate guidance).

A father may not automatically lose parental responsibility if they have been taken off a birth certificate but may have lost parental responsibility by other means, for example, a court order.

If there is evidence to suggest that someone else has parental responsibility, we will need their consent before we change a child’s name.

Some customers may tell us on their statutory declaration that everyone with parental responsibility consented to the child’s change of name or is aware of it.

We will only accept the statutory declaration as evidence everyone with parental responsibility has given their consent, if it includes:

the names of everyone with parental responsibility
the signatures of everyone with parental responsibility

Some change of name deeds may be signed by both parents. We will accept it, as long as there is no other evidence that shows someone else also has parental responsibility.

When you get a letter of consent (or change of name deeds) that show consent, (signed by both parents) you must:

1. Scan it on the system.

2. Add a case note that shows all actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

When a customer sends us an enrolled deed poll, issued by the Supreme Court, as evidence of a change of name, we will not need the consent of everyone with parental responsibility. This is because the Enrolment of Deeds Regulations 1994 requires, either the:

consent of everyone with parental responsibility
reasons why the consent of everyone with parental responsibility could not be given

The Judge will take into account the lack of consent from anyone who has parental responsibility, before deciding to allow the change of name.

Change of parental responsibility during a name change

Someone else may get parental responsibility after everyone with parental responsibility already gave their consent to change a child’s name and got a change of name document (for example, statutory declaration).

We will accept the change of name without the new person’s consent, as long as everyone who had parental responsibility, consented to the change of name at the time.

When someone believes they have parental responsibility

If someone does not give consent to change a child’s name and they believe they have parental responsibility, you must give them 1 month to provide evidence to show it. If they:

provide you with evidence to show they have parental responsibility, you must only accept the change of name if they (and everyone else who has parental responsibility) gives their consent
do not provide us with evidence to show they have parental responsibility, you must accept the change of name (as long as everyone else who has parental responsibility gives their consent)

Some customers may have difficulty getting the consent of someone else with parental responsibility (for example, because they no longer have contact with them).

When this happens, the customer must provide us with a specific issue order that allows them to change the child’s name without the consent of everyone who has parental responsibility.

Parental responsibility: loco parentis or a person has died

If someone with parental responsibility has died, the customer must send us:

evidence of the change of name and evidence the child uses it for all purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
any court orders that are in place (or confirmation there are none)
a written statement to explain the situation
the child’s birth certificate
the death certificate of the person who had parental responsibility

If loco parentis applies, the customer must send us:

evidence of the change of name and evidence the child uses it for all purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
evidence the customer is acting as loco parentis (see parents and guardians: consent guidance)
a court order that allows the customer to change the child’s name without the consent of everybody with parental responsibility

We must safeguard (protect) adults and children who may be at risk. If someone acting as loco parentis cannot provide evidence, you must raise a query with the Guidance & Quality, Operating Standards using the Quality and Examination Support team (QuESt) referral process.

If a child’s new name is the one they use for all official purposes, we will not accept it, unless everyone with parental responsibility has given their consent (or there is a court order allowing the change of name). We will issue the passport using the original name.

For example, the new name is used with the NHS and child benefit but not everyone with parental responsibility has given (or can give) consent for the child’s change of name. When this happens, we will issue the passport in their old name.

To stop any problems with differences the name may have on the child, you must tell the customer they have the option of getting a court order, allowing them to change the child’s name without the consent of everyone with parental responsibility. We must not insist they do it, as it is up to them to decide.

If a customer does not get a court order, you must:

1. Deal with the application, in line with current guidance.

2. Issue the passport in the child’s original name.

3. Tell the customer we cannot accept responsibility for any difficulties they may have (as the passport will be issued in the child’s original name but the child may use their new name for all other purposes).

Changing a child’s name when there is a court order

We ask customers to send us any court orders they have, when they make an application for a child.

Court orders granting leave or permission to change a name

Court orders usually give leave (permission) to change a child’s name, instead of a document that formally changes their name. Because of this, we also need evidence a child has changed their name and evidence it’s being used for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

You must be careful when a passport application, includes a:

change of name for a child
court order giving leave (or permission) to change the child’s name and 1or more years have passed between the date it was issued and the date the customer sent the passport application

This is because, we:

cannot be certain the court order giving leave (or permission) to change the child’s name has been used
need to be sure the child uses the name for all official purposes

When this happens, you must:

1. Make sure you have evidence the child has changed their name and it’s being used for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

2. Scan the evidence on to the application.

3. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

If we get evidence to show they use the new name for all official purposes after 1 year from when the court order was issued, we need evidence of the change of name (for example, statutory declaration).

Court orders that specifically include a change of name

Some court orders may specifically say that a child is now known by a new name. When this happens, you must:

1. Not ask for any evidence of the change of name or evidence that the child uses the new name for all official purposes.

2. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

3. Deal with the application, in line with current guidance and issue the passport in the new name on the court order.

Court orders that describe a child’s name

We will not accept a court order as evidence a child has changed their name when it describes the child in a different name. For example, it shows the child’s name under ‘Name’, ‘Full Name of Child’ or in the body of the court order.

When this happens, you must:

1. Ask the customer to provide:

evidence the child has changed their name and that they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
the consent of everyone with parental responsibility (or a court order that allows a change of name without it)

2. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

Court orders for children up to the age of 18

Some court orders extend to the child’s 18th birthday and include a statement that nobody can cause the child to be known by another name, without the court’s consent. These include:

child arrangement orders
special guardianship orders
care orders under section 31 of the Children’s Act

Even if the court order does not relate to a child’s change of name, the customer must send it to us so we can check it allows them to change the child’s name.

Changing a name when a child is in care

Court orders for children in care usually includes a statement that while it’s in place, a child’s name cannot be changed without the consent of the court. If the court order does not include this, before we change the child’s name, we need:

evidence that the child has changed their name and that they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
the consent of everyone with parental responsibility (or a court order that allows the change of name without it)

Be aware that some court orders grant parental responsibility, even though it may not be immediately clear on the order (for more information, see parents and guardians: consent guidance).

Changing a name when a child arrangement order is in place

When a child arrangement order is in place that confirms who the child must live with, the child’s surname cannot be changed, unless we have either the:

written consent of everyone with parental responsibility
court’s consent through a specific issue order (section 13(1) of the Act)

For any change of name, we still need:

the consent of everyone with parental responsibility
evidence of the change of name and that it is used for all official purposes

Changing a name when there’s a special guardianship order

When there’s a special guardianship order, we will need either:

the consent of everyone with parental responsibility before we can change any part of a child’s name
a court order that allows the change of name

Local authorities who want to change the child’s name

You must refer to parents and guardians: consent guidance, when dealing with applications for children in care of a local authority.

Local authority: changing a child’s name (England and Wales)

We will not accept an application that includes a change of name for a child from a local authority in England and Wales unless, we have either the:

consent of everyone with parental responsibility
leave (permission) of the court

Local authority: changing a child’s name (Northern Ireland)

Under the Children Northern Ireland Order 1995, we will not accept an application that includes a change of name for a child from a local authority in Northern Ireland, unless we have either the:

consent of everyone with parental responsibility
leave of the court

Local authority: changing a child’s name (Scotland)

The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 focusses on the needs of children and their families and defines parental responsibilities and rights about children.

When loco parentis (in the place of a parent) or testamentary guardianship (someone named in a will to act as a guardian) applies and there is a change of name, we need either:

the consent of everyone with parental responsibility
a court order allowing the change

If anyone with parental responsibility has died, you must refer to when someone with parental responsibility has died.

Change of name through adoption

When dealing with adoptions, you must refer to:

parents and guardians: consent guidance
adoptions guidance
Names: aligning names on foreign documents if an adopted child has a foreign passport in a different name

If a child’s name has changed through adoption, we do not need evidence they use the name for all official purposes or the consent of everyone who has parental responsibility, as long as we have the full adoption certificate or adoption order.

If a customer sends a renewal or replacement application with an adoption certificate or order, you must:

make sure it includes a referee who has confirmed (or certified) a photo in the new name
manually cancel the old passport on MI (if the old name was not in section 2 of the application)

Middle name is not included on an application

Customers may send us a renewal or replacement application for their child, without including their middle name, even though it was on their old passport. When this happens, we will issue a new passport in the same name as their old passport, unless we have:

evidence the child has changed their name and that they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
the consent of everyone with parental responsibility to change the name

You must add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

Children under 16 who changed their own name

We will accept a change of name for children under 16, when they themselves have changed it, if:

everyone with parental responsibility has given their consent to the application in the child’s name
we have evidence of the change of name and that they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)

This is because:

a child under 16 cannot complete a change of name until they are 16
those with parental responsibility, have accepted the child’s change of name, by sending us a signed passport application form

16 to 17 year olds with a change of name

For the purposes of this guidance, a young adult is someone aged 16 or 17 years old.

Customer changed their own name after they turned 16

If a 16 to 17 year old applies for a passport with a change of name and it was them who changed it after they turned 16, we will accept it, as long:

they give us evidence of the change of name and that they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
there are no court orders in place

We will not:

need the consent of everyone with parental responsibility (as the 16 to 17 year old changed their own name after they turned 16)
accept any objections to the change of name from anyone with parental responsibility

If there is a court order in place for the 16 to 17 year old, you must check it to see what consent you need.

If the 16 to 17 year old changed their name because they changed gender, you must refer to customer change of name because they changed gender, to check what:

consent you need (as the rules are different when a child or 16 to 17 year old changes gender)
change of name evidence you need

Customer changed their own name before they turned 16

If a 16 to 17 year old applies for a passport and with a change of name and it was them who changed it before they turned 16, we will accept it, as long as:

they give us evidence of the change of name and that they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
there are no court orders in place
we have consent from all who have parental responsibility:
- if the 16 to 17 year old cannot provide consent and they are now 16 and over, they can provide a new change of name document they have completed themselves

If there is a court order in place for the 16 to 17 year old, you must check it to see what consent you need.

If the 16 to 17 year old changed their name because they changed gender, you must refer to customer change of name because they changed gender, to check what:

consent you need (as the rules are different when a child or 16 to 17 year old changes gender)
change of name evidence you need

When someone else changed their name before they turned 16

If a 16 to 17 year old applies for a passport with a change of name and it was a third party (for example, a parent) who changed it before they turned 16, we will accept it, as long as:

they give us evidence of the change of name and that they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
there are no court orders in place
we have consent from all who have parental responsibility
- if the 16 to 17 year old cannot provide consent and they are now 16 and over, they can provide a new change of name document they have completed themselves

If there is a court order in place for the 16 to 17 year old, you must check it to see what consent you need.

If the 16 to 17 year old changed their name because they changed gender, you must refer to customer change of name because they changed gender, to check what:

consent you need (as the rules are different when a child or 16 to 17 year old changes gender)
change of name evidence you need

When someone else changed their name after they turned 16

If a 16 to 17 year old applies for a passport with a change of name and it was a third party (for example, a parent) who changed it after they turned 16, we will accept, it as long as:

they give us evidence of the change of name and that they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
there are no court orders in place

If the 16 to 17 year old has applied for a passport in their new name, we can accept they have consented to the change of name and we do not need the consent of everyone with parental responsibility.

If there is a court order in place for the 16 to 17 year old, you must check it to see what consent you need.

If the 16 to 17 year old changed their name because they changed gender, you must refer to customer change of name because they changed gender, to check what:

consent you need (as the rules are different when a child or 16 to 17 year old changes gender)
change of name evidence you need

Third party application

We will not accept an application from a third party for a 16 to 17 year old whose name changed, unless it is because the 16 to 17 year old:

cannot give consent due to a severe disability
has a court order in place

If there is a court order or the 16 to 17 year old cannot give consent, we need:

evidence of the 16 to 17 year old’s change of name and evidence they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
evidence that shows the 16 to 17 year old cannot give consent (if the reason the third party made the application is because the 16 to 17 year old cannot give consent)
the court order (if the reason the third party made the application is because there is a court order in place for the 16 to 17 year old)
the consent of everyone with parental responsibility (to show they consented to the name change)

If the third party gives evidence to show the 16 to 17 year old cannot give consent, you must:

check it to see if it confirms the 16 to 17 year old cannot give consent
discuss the case with your OTL (if you have doubts)
add a case note to show all of the actions and the decisions you made, including what evidence you received

If we do not get the evidence to show the customer cannot give consent, you must refer the application to Guidance & Quality, Operating Standards using the Quality Examination Support team (QuESt) referral process. Guidance & Quality, Operating Standards will confirm whether you can accept the change of name.

If there’s no court order or reason why the 16 to 17 year old cannot give consent, you must refuse the application. The 16 to 17 year old must apply for their own passport.

False name changes and name changes made in error

We may find that the person who sent the application has made a false declaration to change a child’s name.

You must:

1. Send the application to the Counter Fraud team (CFT), along with confirmation of any written disputes. The CFT report such cases to the police, who will decide whether to take legal action.

2. Send a letter to the person who made the application to explain the situation and tell them that unless there is a court order that consents to the name change:

they must return the passport within 2 weeks so we can cancel it
we will issue a new passport in their old name, valid up to the expiry date on the old passport

3. Send a new application form (but you may be able to reopen to reissue). You will need new photos if you cannot reopen to reissue or if a countersignatory needs to countersign them.

4. Not ask for evidence for the use of the name for all official purposes.

If the person who made the application does not respond after 2 weeks, you must:

1. Send them a first reminder and allow 2 weeks for the customer to respond.

2. Send a second and final reminder, if they do not respond 2 weeks after we sent the first reminder. The reminder must tell the customer you will cancel the passport, if they do not respond. Send the reminder by Royal Mail ‘Signed For delivery’, unless:

the address is in an area where secure delivery signatures are mandatory, in which case, send it by secure delivery
it is an overseas address, in which case, send it by DHL

3. Add a passport note to show all the actions and decisions made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

If the person who made the application still does not respond, you must refer the application to Guidance & Quality, Operating Standards, using the query referral process.

Guidance & Quality, Operating Standards will respond, taking into account:

if you must cancel the passport
what case notes you must add
if you must add a watchlist entry to stop any more passports being issued for the child to the person who made the false declaration

Child’s name was changed in error

There may be times when we find we issued a passport in error. For example, we issued it in the child’s new name without the consent of everybody with parental responsibility.

When dealing with such cases, you, the examiner, must:

1. Send a letter to the person who made the application, to explain the situation and tell them unless there is a court order that consents to the child’s change of name:

to return the passport within 2 weeks so you cancel it
you will issue a new passport in the child’s old name, valid up to the expiry date on the old passport

2. Send them a new application form. If we were at fault, send a pre-paid label and tell them we will refund the cost of the photos.

3. Not ask for evidence for the use of the name for all official purposes.

If the person who made the application does not respond after 2 weeks, you must:

1. Send them a first reminder and allow 2 weeks for them to respond.

2. Send a second and final reminder, if they do not respond 2 weeks after we sent the first reminder. The reminder must tell the customer you will cancel the passport, if they do not respond. Send the reminder by Royal Mail Signed For delivery, unless:

the address is in an area where secure delivery signatures are mandatory, in which case, send it by secure delivery
it is an overseas address, in which case send it by DHL

3. Add a passport note to show all actions taken and decisions made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

If the person who made the application still does not respond, you the examiner must:

1. Tell the person who raised the complaint (if there is one), that:

we have done what we can to investigate their complaint
they can raise the issue with the police, if they wish to take it further with the person who made the application

2. Not disclose any personal or sensitive information about the child or the person who made the application to the person who raised the complaint.

3. Arrange for the child’s name to be added to the watchlist so we can resolve the issue when they return the passport (for example, as part of a renewal application).

4. Add a passport note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

5. Arrange for the child’s name to be added to the watchlist so we can resolve the issue when they return the passport (for example, as part of a renewal application).

When we get another application for the child, you must:

cancel the old passport on MI
resolve any issues with the child’s name, before you issue a new passport

Changing a child’s name because they have changed gender

If a child has changed their name because they have changed gender, you must refer to name changes because the customer has changed gender.

Changing a child’s name following birth re-registration

It is possible for a child’s name to change when the parents re-register the birth (see birth certificates guidance). When this happens, you do not need any other evidence of a change of name.

Incorrect name on birth certificates

We must not tell the customer to take steps to correct the birth certificate to support their passport application.

If they tell us the name on their or their child’s birth certificate is wrong (before we use the correct name on the passport) they must provide us with evidence of the change of name and that they use it for all purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

If the customer asks you how to correct the birth certificate, you must tell them they may only be able to change it, if they can show a mistake was made when they registered the birth and have evidence that the child was, either:

using a different name to the one on the birth certificate (at the time the child’s birth was registered)
has been known by a different name to the one on the birth certificate (from when they were born or shortly afterwards)

Any corrections to a birth certificate will be made using a ‘marginal note’ (a note added to the relevant section of the birth certificate). We can then issue the passport using the name in the marginal note.

Changing a child’s name after they registered or naturalised

You must refer to name changes and name differences after naturalisation or registration, when dealing with:

changes of name after the child was naturalised or registered
differences with the child’s name after they registered or naturalised

Change of name after the passport was lost or stolen

Children who have changed their name after their passport was lost or stolen, must still provide evidence to show they have changed their name, in line with this guidance.

They must also report their passport lost or stolen when applying for a replacement passport.

Child’s name on collective passports

We need the signed and written consent of everyone with parental responsibility for a child to be included on a collective passport, if it’s in a different name to that on their:

full British passport (if they have one)
birth certificate or nationality certificate (if they do not have British passport)

Joint Citizen application (JCAP): difference with spelling

Examiners must use the Withdrawing Joint Citizenship and Passport applications (JCAP) guidance, when dealing with JCAP applications.

There may be a difference with the spelling of the name on the system and the application form.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Confirm the correct spelling with the customer and ask for supporting documents to show the correct spelling (if you do not already have it).

3. Change the name on the system, if it’s a spelling mistake.

4. Add a case note to the application so that UK Visa and Immigration issues the nationality certificate in the correct name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warningsfor what you must include in the case note).

Question 5

Digital Application Processing: change of name applications

Accepted Answer

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff using the Digital Application Processing (DAP) system how to deal with change of name applications.

The DAP system will automatically reject an application and transfer it to the Application Management System if it does not fit the criteria.

The Document Management Service (DMS) will validate the documents sent in by the customer. If the documents meet the criteria for processing in DAP they will complete their checks and keep the application in DAP. They will transfer the application to AMS if the customer’s documents do not meet the DAP acceptance criteria.

How to deal with a change of name application in DAP

When documents are received on a DAP (Digital Application Processing) application, they will be validated by the:

Document Management Service (DMS)
Document Handling Unit (DHU)

If the application meet the criteria for processing in DAP the DMS or DHU will complete their document checks. DAP will transfer the application to AMS (Application Management System) if it does not meet the DAP acceptance criteria.

How to deal with a change of name application in DAP

If the customer has changed their name, DAP will create a Change of name task. This task is one of the Change of personal details tasks.

You must:

check the customer’s personal details (for example, previous name and new name)
view the document (in the Document tab) where you can:
- view the validation checks the Document Management Service carried out on the document (on a DMS validation referral form)
- view the validation checks the Document Handling Unit carried out on the document (on the Item validation tab in ARD)
record your decision for the task:
- accept the change of name
- ask the customer for another document
complete additional checks and decide if you need to refer the application to the Counter Fraud team (CFT), if you have fraud concerns

How to check the document

You must:

1. Click on View document to open the document.

2. Check that the old and new names on the document match the old and new names on the DAP application, using the Names – evidence to change a name guidance.

3. Close the View document screen.

How to accept a customer’s new name

If the old and new names on the document match the old and new names on DAP and you have no other concerns with the application, you must:

1. Select Yes in Do you accept the change of name?

2. Add a case note to record your decision and any other information (for example, the date of marriage ceremony).

3. Click Save to record your decision.

If you have fraud concerns with a change of name

If you have fraud concerns about a change of name, you must:

1. Complete additional checks, as required by following the guidance.

2. Select No in Do you accept the change of name?

3. Add a case note to explain why you are referring the application for investigation.

4. Click Save to record your decision.

DAP will automatically transfer the application to CFT.

If you need to ask for a document

If you need the customer to send a document as evidence of their change of name you must:

1. Send an email to the customer asking for a new document.

2. Select Not sure, ask for new documents, in Do you accept the change of name?

3. Add a case note to explain why you are asking for new documents. For example, the case note could say ‘document is laminated’.

4. Click Save.

Question 6

Name changes after naturalisation or registration

Accepted Answer

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff how to deal with changes of name or differences with the name, after the customer has naturalised or registered and how name related risks that mean the customer may need to attend an interview.

When using this guidance to change a name, you, the examiner, must refer to Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings to:

carry out checks on:
- Main Index (MI), to make sure there is not an existing or expired passport held in a previous version of the name
- all combinations of the new and old name against the watchlist
make sure the case notes include all correct information

Referring DAP applications to AMS

Digital Application Processing (DAP) examiners must transfer the application to the Application Management System (AMS) if all the following points apply:

the customer:
- is applying for their first British passport
- got their British nationality by naturalisation or registration
- has changed their name from the name shown on the certificate

This is so the AMS examiner can refer the application to Intel hub.

Referring the application to Enhanced Application Checking

Customers who change their name, after they registered or naturalised, may be an indication of fraud. In line with the Enhanced Application Checking (EAC) Procedure, you, the examiner, must refer the application to EAC, when:

you have any concerns with the customer’s identity or suspect any fraudulent activity
the customer has had multiple changes of name after they naturalised or registered

Referring the application to Intel hub

You must refer all first time applications from customers who got British nationality by naturalisation or registration and then changed their name, to Intel Hub. You must do this after you issue the passport.

This is because Intel hub will add the customer’s previous name to the watchlist, to stop someone else using their old identity on future applications.

To send the application to Intel Hub, you must:

1. Complete the change of name following registration or naturalisation form (you will need to include the new passport number when it is printed and added to Main Index).

2. Send it by email to Intel Hub.

3. Return all supporting documents to the customer.

The name we use when a customer has registered or naturalised

When a customer has naturalised or registered, we will issue the passport in the name shown on their naturalisation or registration certificate, unless they provide us with evidence of a change of name and evidence they use it for all purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

Name error on the naturalisation or registration certificate

Customers must contact UK Visas and Immigration, if the details on their naturalisation or registration certificate are incorrect. You must refer to the naturalisation certificates guidance for information about when:

UKVI may:
- reissue naturalisation or registration certificates using the correct details
- add endorsements to naturalisation or registration certificates to show if they have officially accepted the correct details
you can accept the correct name

If UKVI does not issue a new naturalisation or registration certificate with the correct details or add an endorsement to officially accept them, you must tell they customer they can either:

have the passport in the name shown on their naturalisation or registration certificate
have their passport in the correct name (but they must provide evidence of a change of name and that they use the name for all official purposes)
withdraw their passport application (in line with the withdrawal of passport applications guidance)

Name changes after a customer has naturalised or registered

In all cases where the customer’s surname on the passport application is different to surname on the naturalisation or registration certificate, you must make sure the customer is the rightful owner of the document.

For all customers who got British nationality through naturalisation or registration and have changed their name from the one shown on the naturalisation certificate, you must:

make sure you:
- enter the old name on the naturalisation or registration certificate into the previous name field on the system (if the application is on the Application Management System)
- record the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate in the case notes
manually check the name on the naturalisation certificate against the watchlist
deal with any matches (in line with current guidance)
search Main Index using the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate (see maintaining Main Index work instructions)
deal with any previous issues you find (in line with current guidance)

Change of surname: marriage or civil partnership

If the customer’s surname has changed because they got married or entered into a civil partnership, you must be satisfied with how the name has been changed by looking at the names on the:

marriage or civil partnership certificate
naturalisation or registration certificate

You must be able to see how the name has been made up and you can see the link between the previous and new name.

You must:

1. Carry out any system checks on the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Accept the change of name.

3. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

The customer’s surname may have changed because they got married or entered in to a civil partnership and it was before they were issued with their naturalisation or registration certificate.

You must:

1. Carry out any system checks on the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Tell the customer to send us:

a signed statement that they are using their married name for all official purposes
their marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (if we do not already have it) and evidence they use their married name for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)

3. Electronically store the application, while you wait for them to respond.

4. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

5. Issue the passport in the name shown on the marriage or civil partnership certificate.

Name change not through marriage or a civil partnership

If the customer’s name has changed and it is not because they have married or entered into a civil partnership and there is no evidence the customer has changed their name.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Contact the customer by phone to tell them we will issue their passport in the name shown on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

3. Update the name on the system so it matches the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

4. Add a case note to show all of the actions and decision you made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

5. Issue the passport using the name shown on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

If the customer does not want us to use the name shown on the naturalisation or registration certificate, you must:

1. Ask them to provide evidence of the change of name and that they use it for all purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

2. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

3. Add a case note to show all actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

Name on the application form in a different order to documents

The names on the application form may be in a different order (including the surname) to the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate and the customer has not provided evidence to show they have changed their name.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Tell the customer we will issue their passport in the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

3. Update the name on the system so it matches the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

4. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

5. Issue the passport using the name shown on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

The customer may tell us they do not want us to use the name shown on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

1. Ask them to provide evidence of the change of name and that they use it for all purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

2. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

Forenames on the application form are different to the documents

The forenames on the application form may be in a different order to those on the naturalisation or registration certificate and the customer has not provided evidence they have changed their name.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Tell the customer we will issue their passport in the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

3. Update the name on the system so it matches the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

4. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

5. Issue the passport using the name shown on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

The customer may not want the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate to show in the passport.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all spellings of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Ask them to provide evidence of the change of name and that they use it for all purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

3. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

Documents show additional forenames

The naturalisation or registration certificate may have additional forenames to the name on the passport application form, but the order of the names has not changed.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all combinations of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Tell the customer we will issue their passport in the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

3. Update the name on the system so it matches the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

4. Add a case note to explain why you added the observation (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

5. Issue the passport using the name shown on the naturalisation or registration certificate.

The customer may not want the name on the naturalisation or registration certificate to show in the passport.

You must:

1. Carry out system checks on all spellings of the name (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings).

2. Ask them to provide evidence of the change of name and that they use it for all purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name).

3. Add a case note to show all the actions and decisions you have made (see Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings for what you must include in the case note).

Foreign passport: name does not match

You must not tell the customer to return their naturalisation or registration certificate to UKVI when they issued it in a correct name but it does not match the name on their foreign passport. Instead, you must deal with the application, in line with the Names: aligning names on foreign documents guidance.

Checking the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration system

We use information held by UKVI on the UKVI system, to help us determine a customer’s immigration history, identity and nationality (if they have previously naturalised or registered).

In line with the interview requirements for naturalised or registered first time applicants guidance, you must check the UKVI system (using a UKVI system enabled examiner) to confirm the customer’s details. If you can, the customer may not need to attend an interview.

Question 7

Customer change of name because they have changed gender

Accepted Answer

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff how to deal with passport applications when the customer (adult or child), has changed their name as they have changed gender. When dealing with change of gender applications, you must also refer to the gender recognition guidance.

When using this guidance to change a child’s name, you the examiner must refer to Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings to make sure the case notes include all correct information.

In line with the gender recognition guidance, you must not use the case notes to record any:

unnecessary references to a customer’s gender reassignment
references to surgery or treatment
any personal opinions or assumptions

System checks and case notes: customer has changed gender

When using this guidance to change a child’s name, you the examiner must refer to Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings to:

carry out checks on:
- Main Index (MI), to make sure there is not an existing or expired passport held in a previous version of the name
- all combinations of the new and old name against the watchlist

Customer has changed name: due to change of gender

Where a customer has changed their name due to a change of gender, the evidence we need to support their passport application will depend on if the customer has a full or interim Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC).

No full or interim Gender Recognition Certificate

Customers may change their name because they have changed gender but do not have a full or interim Gender Recognition Certificate, for example, because they:

are under the age of 18 and cannot get one
have not applied for their change of gender to be legally recognised with the Gender Recognition Panel

If the customer does not have a GRC, they must provide us with:

evidence the gender change is likely to be permanent (for example, a signed letter from a medical professional, for example, consultant or GP on headed paper)
evidence that their name has changed and that they use it for all purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)
the written consent of everyone with parental responsibility to change the:
- gender, if the person changing gender is under the age of 18 (in line with the authorisation and consent guidance and the gender recognition guidance)
- the name, if the person changing gender is also changing their name and is under the age of 16

If the customer cannot give us evidence they use the new name for all purposes:

1. You must refer their application and all supporting documents to Guidance & Quality, Operating Standards using the Quality and Examination Support team (QuESt) query referral process.

2. Add a case note to show all of the actions and decisions you made.

3. Electronically store the application, while you wait for them to respond.

If the customer has a full or interim GRC

If the customer has a full or interim GRC, we will accept it as evidence of the change of name. We:

do not need any other evidence that they have changed their name
only need evidence that they use the name for all purpose - if you have doubts that the customer is not using the name (see Names: evidence to change a name)

Customer reverted to their old gender: changed name

If the customer has changed their name because they have reverted to their old gender, we need evidence:

of the change of name
that they use the name for all official purposes, including if it is their previous name or a new name (see Names: evidence to change a name)
that the gender they are reverting to is likely to be permanent (for example, a letter from a medical professional, for example a consultant or GP)

Customer adopts the dress and manner of the opposite sex

If a customer has changed their name because they have adopted the dress and manner of the opposite sex, they must provide evidence of:

their preferred identity, in line with the Gender Recognition guidance
the change of name and that they use it for all official purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)

We will not issue a passport in the customer’s new name, if it’s being used for some but not all official purposes.

Foreign passport: name changed due to change of gender

When a customer changes their name because they have changed gender and hold a foreign passport, they must change the name on it to meet our Names: aligning names on foreign documents guidance.

Question 8

Name changes: BOC, BOTC and BN(O) applications

Accepted Answer

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff about the extra requirements when British overseas citizens (BOCS) and British overseas territory citizens (BOTCs) have a change of name. It also tells them how to deal with minor changes we accept for British national (overseas) (BN(O)) applications.

You must also refer to changing an adults name or child’s name, which provides detailed guidance on dealing with applications that have a change of name.

You must deal with:

BOC applications, in line with the British overseas citizen’s guidance (BOC)
BOTC applications, in line with the British overseas territory citizen’s guidance (BOTC)
BN(O) applications, in line with the British national (overseas) guidance (BNO)

Only examiners who have had full nationality or complex nationality training, will deal with BOC, BOTC and BN(O) applications when there is a full change of name.

When a BOC, BOTC, or BN(O) has a change of name

All BOC, BOTC, BN(O) and British citizen passports must be in the same name (see Multiple British passports and nationality statuses).

Before we issue a British citizen or variant passport, you must tell the customer to give us evidence that shows they have changed the name in their other passport and dual national passports, first.

Confirming identity and nationality: BOC change of name

You must reconfirm the nationality and identity of BOCs, when:

they have a change of name or change in spelling, from the name on their source documents
a previous BOC passport has the observation ‘the holder is also known as [name]’, and it was not added to show we applied an exception to when the customer must align their name (see Names: aligning names on foreign documents)

You must not automatically keep the observation ‘the holder is also known as [name]’ on the new passport. You must only keep the observation after careful consideration and in line with this guidance.

BN(O) customer has double barrelled name following marriage

Some customer’s previous BN(O) passport may be in doubled barrelled surname following marriage (made of up their maiden and husbands name), even though they may have:

took their married name and only use that name
kept their maiden name and only use that name

This is because at the time the customer made their application for their previous BN(O) passport, they may have been told they had to apply using the double barrelled name. Their Permanent Identity Care (PIC )and HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) passport will be in the correct name (for example, their married or maiden name).

Customer states they only use their married or maiden name

If the customer tells you, they do not use the double barrelled name and only use their married (or maiden) you must:

ask them for:
- their marriage certificate (to show how the double barrelled name was made up)
- evidence they use the name for all official purposes (you may accept the PIC, HKSAR and address evidence)
accept the name on the application when all of the following apply:
- you can see how the name was made up from the marriage certificate
- the name on the application matches the name on the PIC, HKSAR (and any other foreign passport they hold) and address evidence

If the customer cannot provide their marriage certificate (or does not want to), you must ask them for evidence:

of a change of name (to show a change of name from the double barrelled name to the name they use)
evidence they use the name for all official purposes (you may accept the PIC, HKSAR and address evidence)

Question 9

Names and change of names for diplomats and officials

Accepted Answer

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff about the extra requirements for Diplomats and officials who have a change of name. You must also refer to changing an adults name or child’s name, which provides detailed guidance on dealing with applications that have a change of name.

Passports for diplomats, British officials or King’s Messenger Services must be in the same name as their standard British passport. (see Multiple British passports and nationality statuses). If they do not have one, they must apply for one using the same name and wait for it to be issued.

If there is a change of name, we will not issue a passport in the new name until all valid passports have been sent to us to change.

Question 10

Name differences when a customer needs an interview

Accepted Answer

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office Customer Service Office (CSO) staff how to deal with name changes and name differences when the customer needs to attend an interview. It also tells operational staff about applications that have been passed with eligibility issues that relate to the customer’s name.

If the customer arrives for their interview appointment and gives a different name to the name shown on the appointment schedule or the name on the system, we must check why.

To identify the customer and pass them to the interview stage, you, the interview receptionist, must ask the customer for the name they applied in (for example, they may have applied for a post-dated passport).

When CSOs prepare for the interview

Customers may be referred for an interview, if they have:

changed their name after they naturalised and there is more than 1 year between the date they naturalised or registered and the date they sent their passport application
changed their name since they naturalised or registered
names they did not disclose to UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) during the naturalisation or registration process

CSOs must check the case notes to see why the customer has been asked to attend an interview so they can ask relevant questions during the interview.

What CSOs must consider during an interview

When CSOs carry out the interview, they must take into account:

that a post-dated passport application will be in the customer’s married name instead of the name they currently use (the customer’s current name will be shown in the previous names field on the personal details screen)
the differences in the name may be explained by checking the case notes
the differences in the spelling and the order of the forenames or abbreviations because, while the name on the application should match the name on the supporting documents, the customer may be known by another name socially
the customer’s name will match the details they used when they got their British nationality (by registration or naturalisation), unless the customer has provided evidence of a change of name and evidence they use the new name for all purposes (see Names: evidence to change a name)

Signing the signature form after the interview

Unless it is a Digital Customer Services application, the customer will be asked to sign their signature on the signature form so we can compare it against the signature on the screen. You the CSO must check that the signature matches the name.

CSOs pass the interview: application returned to examination

The purpose of the interview is to check that the customer is the rightful owner of the identity and not if they are eligible for a passport based on their nationality.

If a CSO is satisfied with a customer’s identity but has other concerns that an examiner in the Application Processing Centre (APC) needs to deal with, the CSO may pass the interview and return it to examination. This may include concerns with the customer’s name.

When dealing with applications that have been passed with eligibility issues and the reason is because of concerns with the customer’s name, you, the examiner, must refer to the Interviews - UK applications.

You, the CSO, must leave a case note when:

the names on the customer profile do not match the name on the application (for example, the application form shows Jackie but the passport is to be issued in the name Jacqui)
the customer mentioned they have other names that they use for all purposes
there are multiple changes of name and it’s not obvious what the name changes are

Belfast interview office (video interviews without audio)

Officers conducting video interviews without audio must leave a full case note, when:

they find the customer has a name they did not previously tell us about
the customer cannot align their name because it meets one of our exceptions (see Names: aligning names on foreign documents)

Question 11

Searches and file requests: customer has a change of name

Accepted Answer

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff what they must do when they need to carry out a search using the Peterborough Search team and the customer has changed their name.

If you, the examiner, need to carry out a search using the Peterborough Search team (PST) and the customer has changed their name, when completing the search from, you must:

include the change of name
include the date the name changed
check the spelling of unusual names to make sure they are correct

This allows the PST to carry out a correct search (in alphabetical order) for the record.

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About: Names: change of name passport applications

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Changes from last version of this guidance

How customers apply when they have a change of name

Change of name: postal and online applications

Change of name: counter applications

Digital Premium Service applications: change of name

Correct service types for when there is a change of name

AMS service types when there is a change of name

AMS service types when there is a change of name

DAP service types when there is a change of name

When the change of name application is from a third party

When the customer has a change of name but asks us to use their old one

Changing an adult’s name

Why adults may change their name

Reducing fraud risks when an adult changes their name

System checks and case noting when changing an adult’s name

Evidence we need to change an adult’s name

Customers aged 16 or 17 year olds whose name changed before they turned 16

Adult customers whose name changed before they turned 16

Change of name after a passport was lost or stolen

Change of name following a marriage or civil partnership

Customer was previously married or in a civil partnership

Customers who take their partner’s surname as their own

Marriage and civil partnerships: multiple changes of name

Non-dual citizens: previous surname as additional forename

Non-dual citizens who use their old surname and new surname

Non-dual citizens who use their previous surname

What we class as a double barrelled surname

Non-dual citizens: using a double barrelled surname

Non-dual citizens: no longer using double barrelled surname

Non-dual citizen husband who takes a wife’s name

Dual citizens using double barrelled or single names

Dual citizens using their old name

Post-dated passports in a married or civil partnership name

Change of name due to divorce

Customer reverts to birth name: no previous name changes

Customer reverts to birth name: previous name changes

Evidence to confirm a divorce

Customer reverts to a name that is not their birth name

Change of name: adult changed gender

Adults change of name after registration or naturalisation

Minor changes to forenames and surnames

Minor forename changes: first time adult applications

Adding or removing a hyphen on a double-barrelled surname

Minor changes on renewal and replacement applications

Middle name held old passport: not on new application

Middle name on new application: not on the old passport

Previous passport names in a different order to the application

Name on old passport: different spelling to application

Name on old passport: in a different order to the application

Customer adding or removing a hyphen between 2 forenames

When a name is considered unusual

Joint Citizen application (JCAP): difference in spelling

Changing a child’s name

System checks and case noting when changing a child’s name

Case noting when changing a child’s name

HM Passport Office’s definition of a child

Why a child may change their name

Reducing the risk of fraud when a child’s name has changed

Evidence we need to change a child’s name

Types of child name changes

Parental responsibility: when changing a child’s name

The legal basis for consent

Caveats (objections to a child having a passport)

Parental responsibility: vulnerable customers and children

Overseas parental responsibility, consent and court orders

Scanning consent evidence, court orders and caveats

Watchlist checks on everyone with parental responsibility

No consent given to change a child’s name

Full birth certificates showing parental responsibility

Statutory declarations: showing parental consent

Change of name deeds that show consent

Enrolled deed poll that shows consent

Change of parental responsibility during a name change

When someone believes they have parental responsibility

Parental responsibility: unable to get consent

Parental responsibility: loco parentis or a person has died