Celebrate Your Union with a Name That Reflects You Both
At Change My Name, we believe that your name should reflect your identity and your relationship.
Whether you’re adopting your partner’s surname or creating a new shared name after your same-sex marriage, we’re here to make the process simple, fast, and recognised across the UK.
Same-Sex Marriage Name Changes: What You Need to Know
The rules for changing your name after a same-sex marriage are exactly the same as for heterosexual couples. Depending on how you want your new name to appear, you may or may not need a Deed Poll.
For a detailed overview of all name change scenarios after marriage, visit our Marriage Name Change Guide.
We proudly support the LGBTQIA+ community and are honoured to help you take this important step with clarity, dignity, and ease.
Common Scenarios for Same-Sex Name Changes
If you simply want to take your partner’s existing surname, and your marriage certificate clearly shows your new surname, then you will not need a Deed Poll. You can use your marriage certificate to update your name with most official institutions.
To apply for a new UK passport, you’ll need to send:
- Your current passport
- Your original marriage certificate
- A covering letter explaining your name change
Other organisations may require different documentation, but a new passport and marriage certificate are typically sufficient proof.
If you and your partner want to create a double-barrelled surname (e.g. Smith-Jones), you will both need to apply for a Deed Poll. This type of name change isn’t reflected on a marriage certificate and therefore requires official documentation.
Once you have your Deed Polls, use them along with your marriage certificate to update all relevant organisations. We recommend ordering at least 10 duplicate copies of each Deed Poll to make the process quicker and easier.
