# Who to notify after a UK name change — licence, passport, bank, HMRC, NHS > Family & care · Last updated 23 September 2026 Canonical HTML: https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/who-to-notify-after-name-change-uk/ ## What we checked AI-assisted source comparisons of the stated scope; not individual professional approval of the whole page. Checked 2026-09-23: Checked the new financial-records guide and the checklist's new credit-file signpost: name changes do not themselves erase credit history, previous-name links may connect records, lenders and HMRC need separate notification, electoral registration must be updated, and documents required by HMPO and DVLA vary. Verified the paid provider's listed adult PDF price and distinguished the downloadable template from an executed deed. This is not individual legal or financial advice or professional review. - [GOV.UK — make an unenrolled deed poll](https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/make-unenrolled-deed-poll) - [GOV.UK — tell HMRC about a name change](https://www.gov.uk/tell-hmrc-change-of-details) - [GOV.UK — update the electoral register](https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote) - [GOV.UK — passport name-change evidence](https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/names-dont-match-official-documents) - [GOV.UK — driving-licence name-change documents](https://www.gov.uk/change-name-driving-licence) - [TransUnion UK — credit history after a name change](https://www.transunion.co.uk/consumer/consumer-support) - [Experian UK — correct a credit report](https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/guides/credit-report-disputes.html) - [Equifax UK — free statutory credit report](https://www.equifax.co.uk/products/credit/statutory-report) - [InstantDeedPoll.co.uk — current adult PDF listing](https://instantdeedpoll.co.uk/) Checked 2026-09-12: A name change alone does not automatically require an existing will to be replaced or re-signed. The notification guidance separates linking identity evidence from reviewing marriage or other life events, removes a fixed driving-licence-first order and clarifies passport evidence for joined surnames. - [GOV.UK name changes by deed poll](https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll) - [Passport marriage or civil partnership](https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/name-marriage-and-civil-partnership) - [Passport other name changes](https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/names-dont-match-official-documents) Markdown mirror: https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/who-to-notify-after-name-change-uk.md ## Quick answer After you have a signed deed poll or a marriage or civil partnership certificate accepted for your chosen surname, make a practical update plan covering: GB driving licence (free), passport, bank, HMRC, employer, NHS and GP, then insurers, pensions, utilities, council tax and everything else. A deed poll does not rewrite a will. Instant Deed Poll is a document service, not HM Government. ## Who should skip this Skip this if you have not yet executed the name-change document. Do not buy a deed poll if a marriage or civil-partnership certificate is accepted for your chosen surname. This page is the operational checklist — the deed itself is on [deed poll name change](/family-life/deed-poll-name-change-uk/). Check each organisation’s evidence requirements first. If using a deed poll, sign it with the required witnesses before using it as evidence, then work through the list. Partner checklist: [who to notify](https://instantdeedpoll.co.uk/who-to-notify/). ## Key facts - Choose an order around travel and access to original documents; GB driving-licence name updates are free, but a bank statement or other accepted record can supply proof of using the new name - You can be fined up to £1,000 for not telling DVLA about a name or address change - For a deed-poll passport change, HMPO asks for the change document and evidence that you use the new name; check the accepted evidence for your application - Tell PIP, ESA, the council and Child Benefit separately — Universal Credit does not update every benefit - A name change alone does not invalidate a will or require a new one. Keep evidence linking both names and tell your executor; marriage or other life changes need a separate review ## What order should I use? 1. [Change name on driving licence](/family-life/change-name-on-driving-licence-uk/) — form D1 or D2, original deed, current licence. 2. [Change name on passport](/family-life/change-name-on-passport-uk/). 3. Bank or building society in branch with the original deed. 4. HMRC via your Personal Tax Account. 5. Employer and payroll. 6. NHS and GP. 7. Insurers, pension providers, utilities, council tax, electoral register, professional bodies and subscriptions. HMPO and many banks want the original wet-ink deed. Employers, GPs and utilities usually accept a photocopy. Keep three or four signed originals. Optional pre-filled letters: [notification letter pack](https://instantdeedpoll.co.uk/notification-letter-pack/) (check the current price and contents before buying) or [name change pack](https://instantdeedpoll.co.uk/name-change-pack/). Instant Deed Poll is not DVLA, HMPO or a law firm. ## Benefits, tax credits and Universal Credit Change the name on the bank account Universal Credit is paid into before the next payday if you can. Report the name change in your UC journal. PIP, New Style ESA, Child Benefit, Pension Credit and Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction are separate — tell each agency. Answer: [can I change my name on Universal Credit](/answers/can-i-change-my-name-on-universal-credit/). If you only took a spouse’s surname printed on the marriage certificate, most agencies want that certificate rather than a deed. Deed vs certificate: [do I need a deed poll](/answers/do-i-need-a-deed-poll-uk/). ## Banks, mortgage lenders and credit files Tell each bank, mortgage lender, credit-card and loan provider separately. After they update their records, check Experian, Equifax and TransUnion for missing accounts or incorrect links between your previous and current names. Follow the [name change and credit history guide](/family-life/name-change-credit-history-uk/) for the order, evidence and dispute steps. ## Wills and later life documents A name change alone does not require a new will. Keep the deed poll or certificate with your important records and tell the executor where it is. Do not write over the name or simply re-sign the old will. If your wishes have changed, get advice about a properly executed codicil or new will. [GOV.UK: updating a will](https://www.gov.uk/make-will/updating-your-will). If a new will is appropriate for a straightforward England and Wales estate, [consider SwiftWill](https://swiftwill.co.uk/), a related paid service operated by the same company as Money Guide. It prepares documents without individual solicitor review. Use a solicitor for complex cases, Scotland or Northern Ireland. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I send the original deed poll or a copy? HMPO and banks generally want the original wet-ink document. NHS, employers and utilities usually accept a photocopy. Post originals with tracking. ### Is the DVLA name change free? Yes in Great Britain. Northern Ireland uses the DVA. Full guide: [change name on driving licence](/family-life/change-name-on-driving-licence-uk/). ### What if I have not changed my will yet? A name change alone does not invalidate an existing will. Keep linking evidence and tell your executor. Do not alter or re-sign the original just to change the name. Review the will separately after marriage, divorce or another material change; get a valid codicil or new will if needed. ## Primary source https://www.gov.uk/change-name-driving-licence ## Related - [Deed poll name change](https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/deed-poll-name-change-uk/) - [Change name on driving licence](https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/change-name-on-driving-licence-uk/) - [Change name on passport](https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/change-name-on-passport-uk/) - [How to notify after a name change](https://moneyguide.org.uk/how-to/notify-organisations-after-name-change/) - [Name change and credit history](https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/name-change-credit-history-uk/) - [Who to notify — Instant Deed Poll](https://instantdeedpoll.co.uk/who-to-notify/) --- Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.