Name change in UK passport due to divorce, marriage or civil partnership
Dear Mr. Bassie,
I RECENTLY got divorced and I would like my British passport to reflect the name I intend to use. Please explain the process.
FB
Dear FB,
Persons, on occasion, will need to change their name or personal details in their passport.
If persons get divorced or return to a previous surname, they will need to send in the following documents when applying to make changes:
• Their birth certificate.
• A statement signed by the applicant stating why they have gone back to using a previous surname (for example, their maiden name) ‘for all purposes’ – that is, they will not use their married or civil partnership name at all.
• A document that shows they are using their new name (for example, a payslip, or a letter from their local council).
• A marriage or civil partnership certificate showing both names – if they do not have it they can order a copy.
Just for completeness, it should be noted that with respect to a marriage or civil partnership change, persons can get a new passport in their new name either before or after the ceremony.
Please be aware that the name on the passport must match the one that is used when booking a travel reservation.
TO OBTAIN A NEW PASSPORT AFTER THE CEREMONY
Persons should send the marriage or civil partnership certificate when applying for a passport in their new name, and this includes double-barrelled names.
TO OBTAIN A NEW PASSPORT BEFORE THE CEREMONY
Persons can apply for a passport in their new name up to three months before the marriage or civil partnership ceremony. The old passport will be cancelled, and the new passport will be ‘post-dated’ –this cannot be used before the ceremony.
Please note that some countries will not issue visas for post-dated passports – and it is advisable to check with the country’s embassy or consulate.
Persons must send a ‘passports for newly-weds and civil partners’ form with their documents. Please note that it must be signed by the religious minister or registrar who will conduct the ceremony.
I hope this helps.
John S. Bassie is a barrister/ attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Courtappointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com