Changing your name

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Changing your name

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A change of name formally changes your name on your birth or adoption certificate. Any new copies issued will show:

your new name
that you were ‘formerly known as’ your previous name

This process is only available for applicants who were born or adopted in Scotland.

This process should not be used for a change of name following marriage, divorce or civil partnership.

You do not need to formally change your surname after:

marriage
divorce
entering or dissolving a civil partnership

If you start using a new surname after, most organisations will allow this change to be evidenced by a:

marriage or civil partnership certificate
extract decree of divorce

If you have been advised that further evidence is required for your change of name, contact us for further guidance.

How to apply

Complete and return the application form to us. You should complete a different form depending on whether the person changing their name is either:

over 16 years old
under 12 months old
over 12 months and under 16 years old

Which form to complete

Complete and return the over 16 application form.

You should complete and return either:

Complete and return the under 16 application form.

We’re unable to accept digital applications. Forms should be completed and signed in ink, and returned to us at the following address:

Change of Name Team
New Register House
West Register Street
Edinburgh EH1 3YT

Processing times

We aim to contact customers within 20 days of receipt of application, to:

confirm details of the change
request payment.

Once payment has been made, we’ll email you within 15 working days to:

confirm when the changes have been completed
advise how you can obtain a replacement birth certificate

How much it costs

There is a fee of £40.00 to record a change of name (plus £10 for each additional family member when applications are submitted together). On receipt of your application we will contact you by email to provide details of how to make payment through our Scotland's People website.

Please ensure when sending your application that you provide an email address as all future correspondence from us will be made by email.

We do not provide a replacement birth certificate as part of the change of name process, but we will advise you how you can order this when we confirm that the change has been processed.

If you were born outside Scotland

You'll need to change your name by either:

changing your name in your country of birth
deed poll
statutory declaration

You can read guidance on changing your name by deed poll on gov.uk

Changing your name by statutory declaration

A statutory declaration is a document which can be drawn up and witnessed by a notary public or justice of the peace.

You can book an appointment with your local justice of the peace through Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service

Change of name after marriage, divorce or civil partnership

If they’re over 16 years old

If they’re under 12 months old

If they’re over 12 months and under 16 years old