Foreign Birth & Non-UK Citizens Name Change (2026 Guide)
If you were born outside the UK or are a foreign national living in Britain, the process of changing your name is legally possible but involves additional considerations regarding your home country's laws and your primary identity documents.
Crucial: Check Your Embassy First
Before executing a Deed Poll, we strongly advise checking with your national embassy. Some countries do not recognise deed polls and require you to change your name via their own legal systems. If your home country refuses the change, your foreign passport will not match your UK records.
1. UK Residents with Foreign Citizenship
If you are a citizen of another country living in the UK, you can still use a UK Deed Poll to update your local records, including:
UK Banks, employers, and HMRC will typically accept a validly executed Deed Poll to update your account details.
The NHS, DVLA, and local councils generally recognise deed polls for foreign nationals residing in the UK.
2. British Citizens Born Abroad
If you hold a British Passport but were born in another country, the process is exactly the same as for any other British citizen. Your UK Deed Poll is the only document you need to update your British Passport (how to update your UK Passport) and all subsequent UK records.
3. Dual Nationality Considerations
If you hold dual citizenship, you should ideally aim to update both countries' records. HM Passport Office generally requires your foreign passport to be updated to match your new name before they will issue a new British Passport in that name. This prevents "dual identity" issues at international borders.
International Name Change?
Our Deed Polls are professionally drafted to be Recognised by all UK government departments and agencies.
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International FAQs
What about my BRP?
For Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) updates, the Home Office usually accepts a Deed Poll, provided it is executed correctly and accompanied by your current passport.
Do I need an Apostille?
If you intend to use your Deed Poll in your home country, you may need it "Legalised" with an Apostille stamp from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Can a foreign national change their name in the UK?
Yes. A foreign national living in the UK can execute a Deed Poll to update UK records such as banks, employers, HMRC, NHS and the DVLA. However, whether the name change is recognised in their home country depends on that country’s legal system, so it is advisable to check with the relevant embassy before proceeding.
Will my embassy recognise a UK Deed Poll?
Some countries recognise UK Deed Polls as valid evidence of a name change, while others require a court order or formal recognition under their domestic law. You should contact your embassy or consulate to confirm what documentation is required before updating your foreign passport.
What happens if I hold dual nationality?
If you hold dual nationality, it is important to ensure both countries’ records are updated to avoid discrepancies between passports. In some cases, HM Passport Office may require your foreign passport to reflect your new name before issuing a British passport in that name.
Does changing my name by Deed Poll affect my citizenship or immigration status?
No. A Deed Poll changes your legal name in the UK but does not affect your nationality, citizenship, visa status or immigration rights. It is simply a legal document confirming your new name. However, you should ensure your immigration records and identity documents are updated to reflect the change.