Change of name, name discrepancy and naming children letters
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-16)

Downloadable letters explaining UK laws and conventions on people's names and name changing.

British embassies, high commissions and consulates provide these standard letters to explain UK laws and conventions to local authorities abroad. They’re sometimes called information notes.

If a local authority asks you for a name or change of name certificate, you can provide one of these letters instead.

Change of name

Under UK law you can change your surname or forename. If you’re asked to provide proof of this law in any of the countries listed here, download the relevant letter.

Stamped and signed versions of these letters cost £50 but are only available in some countries. Ask the British embassy, high commission or consulate (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/written-enquiry?utm_source=name+change&utm_medium=notarial&utm_campaign=FCDO) if you can get a stamped and signed version.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66852e91d9d35187868f43ca/Albania_Change_of_name_in_the_UK.pdf)

Albania: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66852e91d9d35187868f43ca/Albania_Change_of_name_in_the_UK.pdf)

PDF, 97.5 KB, 3 pages

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a26486ce1fd0da7b592d52/Argentina_name_change.pdf)

Argentina: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a26486ce1fd0da7b592d52/Argentina_name_change.pdf)

PDF, 387 KB, 6 pages

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/671b61d1956d9b52e8c6d259/Austria_name_change.pdf)

Austria: change of name (English and German) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/671b61d1956d9b52e8c6d259/Austria_name_change.pdf)

PDF, 575 KB, 4 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a264c90808eaf43b50d758/Azerbaijan_name_change.pdf)

Azerbaijan: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a264c90808eaf43b50d758/Azerbaijan_name_change.pdf)

PDF, 21.7 KB, 2 pages

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a2658bfc8e12ac3edb04df/1._Bahrain-_Change_of_name_in_the_UK__1_.pdf)

Bahrain: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a2658bfc8e12ac3edb04df/1._Bahrain-_Change_of_name_in_the_UK__1_.pdf)

PDF, 156 KB, 3 pages

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a2661ece1fd0da7b592d54/Belarus_change_of_name.doc)

Belarus: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a2661ece1fd0da7b592d54/Belarus_change_of_name.doc)

MS Word Document, 218 KB

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68ef7864e7b6794c076bbe8c/EN_Belgium_Change_of_Name.pdf)

Belgium: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68ef7864e7b6794c076bbe8c/EN_Belgium_Change_of_Name.pdf)

PDF, 183 KB, 3 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a26690a3c2a28abb50d75f/Brazil_change_of_name.odt)

Brazil: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a26690a3c2a28abb50d75f/Brazil_change_of_name.odt)

ODT, 19.7 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-open-document-formats-odf-in-your-organisation) format

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a266c40808eaf43b50d75a/BULGARIA_-_Informative_note_-__Change_of_Name_in_UK.pdf)

Bulgaria: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a266c40808eaf43b50d75a/BULGARIA_-_Informative_note_-__Change_of_Name_in_UK.pdf)

PDF, 559 KB, 3 pages

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a26713fc8e12ac3edb04e0/Croatia_change_of_name.pdf)

Croatia: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a26713fc8e12ac3edb04e0/Croatia_change_of_name.pdf)

PDF, 364 KB, 3 pages

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66852f0e899a6f92e5d9cc3b/Ecuador_Informative_Note_-_Change_of_Name_in_the_UK_-_Aug_2020.odt)

Ecuador: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66852f0e899a6f92e5d9cc3b/Ecuador_Informative_Note_-_Change_of_Name_in_the_UK_-_Aug_2020.odt)

ODT, 59.9 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-open-document-formats-odf-in-your-organisation) format

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6685306fd9d35187868f43d4/France_General_Informative_Notes_on_Name_Change_-_eng-fr_-_09012019.pdf)

France: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6685306fd9d35187868f43d4/France_General_Informative_Notes_on_Name_Change_-_eng-fr_-_09012019.pdf)

PDF, 821 KB, 5 pages

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/668530e9541aeb9e928f43db/Germany_EN_Name_Change_Informative_Note.odt)

Germany: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/668530e9541aeb9e928f43db/Germany_EN_Name_Change_Informative_Note.odt)

ODT, 149 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-open-document-formats-odf-in-your-organisation) format

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66855ec0ab5fc5929851b95a/Greece_IN_ATHENS_-_Change_of_Name_in_the_UK_ENG.pdf)

Greece: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66855ec0ab5fc5929851b95a/Greece_IN_ATHENS_-_Change_of_Name_in_the_UK_ENG.pdf)

PDF, 181 KB, 3 pages

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66856340d9d35187868f441d/Italy_Name_change.pdf)

Italy: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66856340d9d35187868f441d/Italy_Name_change.pdf)

PDF, 3.38 MB, 5 pages

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6685675d4a94d44125d9cc7c/Kuwait_Change_of_name_with_Arabic.pdf)

Kuwait: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6685675d4a94d44125d9cc7c/Kuwait_Change_of_name_with_Arabic.pdf)

PDF, 9.17 MB, 4 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/668568f37541f54efe51b971/Luxembourg_Informative_Note_Name_Change_for_Luxembourg_authorities.pdf)

Luxembourg: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/668568f37541f54efe51b971/Luxembourg_Informative_Note_Name_Change_for_Luxembourg_authorities.pdf)

PDF, 316 KB, 4 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66856c2e7541f54efe51b972/Mexico_-_Information_Note___Different_Versions_of_Names.pdf)

Mexico: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66856c2e7541f54efe51b972/Mexico_-_Information_Note___Different_Versions_of_Names.pdf)

PDF, 532 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66856c6fab5fc5929851b967/Montenegro_Informative_note___An_explanation_of_change_of_name_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf)

Montenegro: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66856c6fab5fc5929851b967/Montenegro_Informative_note___An_explanation_of_change_of_name_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf)

PDF, 113 KB, 2 pages

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66856d41d9d35187868f442e/MACEDONIA_-_Informative_Note_-_Change_of_name_-_2019.pdf)

North Macedonia: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66856d41d9d35187868f442e/MACEDONIA_-_Informative_Note_-_Change_of_name_-_2019.pdf)

PDF, 548 KB, 3 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66856dec899a6f92e5d9cc92/Peru_change_of_name.pdf)

Peru: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66856dec899a6f92e5d9cc92/Peru_change_of_name.pdf)

PDF, 82.4 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68e7726fc487360cc70ca2a4/Portugal_Informative_note_on_name_change_English_2025.pdf)

Portugal: change of name (English) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68e7726fc487360cc70ca2a4/Portugal_Informative_note_on_name_change_English_2025.pdf)

PDF, 138 KB, 3 pages

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68e77280750fcf90fa6fff80/Portugal_Informative_note_on_name_change_Portuguese__2025.pdf)

Portugal: change of name (Portuguese) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68e77280750fcf90fa6fff80/Portugal_Informative_note_on_name_change_Portuguese__2025.pdf)

PDF, 145 KB, 3 pages

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66858c144a94d44125d9cc88/Qatar_Change_of_Name_Following_Marriage-2.pdf)

Qatar: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66858c144a94d44125d9cc88/Qatar_Change_of_Name_Following_Marriage-2.pdf)

PDF, 393 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66858cc7ab5fc5929851b971/Russia_Information_Note_on_explanation_of_change_of_name_in_the_UK.pdf)

Russia: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66858cc7ab5fc5929851b971/Russia_Information_Note_on_explanation_of_change_of_name_in_the_UK.pdf)

PDF, 647 KB, 10 pages

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66858e2d541aeb9e928f443c/Spain_8_NV_208_Statement_of_Law_name_change.pdf)

Spain: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66858e2d541aeb9e928f443c/Spain_8_NV_208_Statement_of_Law_name_change.pdf)

PDF, 139 KB, 3 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/668593b8d9d35187868f4438/Switzerland_Informative_Note_Change_of_Name.pdf)

Switzerland: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/668593b8d9d35187868f4438/Switzerland_Informative_Note_Change_of_Name.pdf)

PDF, 136 KB, 3 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e14f3e0114b0b86e59f4c9/CHANGE_OF_NAME_.odt)

Turkey: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e14f3e0114b0b86e59f4c9/CHANGE_OF_NAME_.odt)

ODT, 53.4 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-open-document-formats-odf-in-your-organisation) format

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a267c40808eaf43b50d75c/Uruguay_change_of_name.pdf)

Uruguay: change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a267c40808eaf43b50d75c/Uruguay_change_of_name.pdf)

PDF, 172 KB, 4 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6761baf194c0d990c1ef39f6/UAE_Change_of_Name_Letter_with_stamp.pdf)

United Arab Emirates (UAE): change of name (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6761baf194c0d990c1ef39f6/UAE_Change_of_Name_Letter_with_stamp.pdf)

PDF, 969 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Name discrepancies on British documents

British embassies, consulates and high commissions cannot verify that two or more documents with name discrepancies are for the same person. If you’re asked for proof of this, download the relevant letter.

Stamped and signed versions of these letters cost £50 but are only available in some countries. Ask the British embassy, high commission or consulate (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/written-enquiry?utm_source=name+change&utm_medium=notarial&utm_campaign=FCDO) if you can get a stamped and signed version.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/679278d7e982ca138427fc47/2022_-_BRAZIL_-_Informative_note_on_name_discrepancy.odt)

Brazil: name discrepancies on British documents (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/679278d7e982ca138427fc47/2022_-_BRAZIL_-_Informative_note_on_name_discrepancy.odt)

ODT, 19.8 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-open-document-formats-odf-in-your-organisation) format

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ef7f9be9c76fa33048c7a4/Info_note_-_naming_discrepancies_on_British_documents.odt)

Vietnam: name discrepancies on British documents (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ef7f9be9c76fa33048c7a4/Info_note_-_naming_discrepancies_on_British_documents.odt)

ODT, 281 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-open-document-formats-odf-in-your-organisation) format

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Naming children

Under UK law parents may give their child any forename or surname. If you’re asked to provide proof of UK law about naming children download the relevant letter.

Stamped and signed versions of these letters cost £50 but are only available in some countries. Ask the British embassy, high commission or consulate (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/written-enquiry?utm_source=name+change&utm_medium=notarial&utm_campaign=FCDO) if you can get a stamped and signed version.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a2684d0808eaf43b50d75d/Hungary_naming_children.pdf)

Hungary: naming children (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a2684d0808eaf43b50d75d/Hungary_naming_children.pdf)

PDF, 200 KB, 1 page

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c7b1097009f464cdc0cc46/Sep_25_Leaving_Nationality_blank_on_birth_certs_in_Vietnam.odt)

Vietnam: birth registration of children born to British nationals (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c7b1097009f464cdc0cc46/Sep_25_Leaving_Nationality_blank_on_birth_certs_in_Vietnam.odt)

ODT, 278 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-open-document-formats-odf-in-your-organisation) format

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.