# Who to notify after a UK name change — licence, passport, bank, HMRC, NHS > Family & care · Last updated 22 August 2026 Canonical HTML: https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/who-to-notify-after-name-change-uk/ 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 certificate that already shows the new surname, update records in this order: 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 already shows the exact new surname you will use. This page is the operational checklist — the deed itself is on [deed poll name change](/family-life/deed-poll-name-change-uk/). Organisations cannot update a name you have not executed. Sign first, print spare wet-ink originals, then work the list. Partner checklist: [who to notify](https://instantdeedpoll.co.uk/who-to-notify/). ## Key facts - Do the GB driving licence first — it is free and is usually the fastest name-in-use document for HM Passport Office - You can be fined up to £1,000 for not telling DVLA about a name or address change - HMPO wants the original wet-ink deed plus one name-in-use record, usually from the last 12 months - Tell PIP, ESA, the council and Child Benefit separately — Universal Credit does not update every benefit - A deed poll does not update a will — print and re-sign in the new name with the correct witnessing rules for your nation ## 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/) (typically £9.95) 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/). ## Wills and later life documents Executors and banks move faster when the will, the deed and photo ID show the same name. England and Wales: print a fresh will and sign with two independent adult witnesses in one room. Scotland is different — see [Scotland wills](/family-life/scotland-wills-and-intestacy/). A simple England and Wales estate can use [SwiftWill](https://swiftwill.co.uk/) (document-prep, not a law firm). Skip SwiftWill for Scotland, Northern Ireland, trusts or foreign property. ## 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? The old will can still be valid, but probate is slower if names do not match. Re-sign in the new name. This is not legal advice. ## 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/) - [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.