Table of contents
List of contents
Restrictions on choosing a new name in UK
In the UK, there is no specific law governing what name you can or cannot choose. However, your new name must not break other laws or cause practical issues with official bodies such as HM Passport Office.
You can legally change:
- Your first name
- Your middle names (add, remove, or change spelling)
- Your surname
However, certain names may be illegal, inadvisable, or unacceptable for official use.
Illegal names (names that will be rejected)
Certain names are outright illegal because they break other laws, such as those related to fraud, public order, or discrimination.
Names that promote racial, religious, or criminal hatred
Any name that encourages discrimination or incites violence is against the law.
Examples: Names containing racial slurs, extremist phrases, or offensive religious content.
Names that promote crime or illegal activity
Names that glorify crimes like murder, theft, or drug use may be illegal.
Example: “Cannabis King” or “Serial Killer”
Blasphemous or religious names
Some religious names may be unacceptable if they are deemed offensive or blasphemous.
Example: “God” or “Satan”
However, commonly used religious names like “Jesus” are likely to be accepted.
Fraudulent or misleading names
You cannot change your name to impersonate someone famous or an official authority.
Example: “King Charles III” or “Police Officer John Smith”
You cannot change your name to avoid debts or legal obligations—this would be fraud.
Trademarks or Copyrighted Names
While not illegal in itself, taking a famous trademarked name can lead to legal action if you use it commercially.
Example: If you rename yourself “Coca Cola” and start selling drinks, you may be sued for trademark infringement.
Inadvisable names (not Illegal, but problematic)
Some names are not technically illegal but will cause significant issues when updating official records.
Names containing numbers or special characters
Most UK systems only allow letters, hyphens (-), and apostrophes (‘).
HM Passport Office will reject names with numbers or symbols.
Example: “4Real” or “Super#Star” will likely be rejected.
Extremely long or unpronounceable names
Names exceeding 90 characters (including spaces) may be subject to additional review or verification.
A name that is excessively long or difficult to spell may not be accepted.
Single-word names (no surname)
While not illegal, most official forms require both a first name and a surname.
If you legally change to a single name, it may be recorded as “X Bloggs” or “No Name Bloggs” in systems.
Names implying a title or honour
First names like “Lord,” “Duke,” “Sir,” or “Princess” give the impression of a title.
HM Passport Office may refuse these unless you hold the actual title.
If accepted, your official records might read: “Mr Lord Smith” instead of just “Lord Smith.”
Names that are vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate
Even if a name doesn’t break any law, authorities may refuse to recognise it.
HM Passport Office is unlikely to issue a passport for a name that is obscene or offensive.
Names changed for commercial gain or a frivolous reason
If you choose a name purely for a marketing stunt or bet, authorities may reject it.
Example: “Happy Birthday” or “Nike Superstar”
Restrictions on passports and official records
Even if your Deed Poll is legally valid, government agencies and banks may still refuse to update your name if it doesn’t meet their guidelines.
For example, the UK Passport Office allows a maximum of 30 characters for forenames and 30 characters for the surname on the main passport page. If your name exceeds these limits, you can request that your full name be printed on the passport’s observation page.
Please also note that certain types of names are not permitted by passport office:
- Numbers or symbols (except apostrophes and hyphens)
- Anything offensive or misleading
- Titles you do not officially hold (e.g., “Sir”, “Duke”, etc.)
Other organisations, such as the DVLA, may have similar restrictions on what can be entered into their systems or printed on official documents. So while you can legally adopt a long or distinctive name, be aware that it may be shortened or only partially displayed on some forms of ID and official records.