Is it legal to change your name?
In the UK, anyone over the age of 16 has the legal right to change their name by Deed Poll. This includes people currently serving a prison sentence, those on parole/license, and those with spent or unspent convictions. However, you cannot change your name to deceive authorities or to hide a criminal past for fraudulent purposes.
The Notification Rule
While you can change your name, you are legally required to notify the police, probation service, or any relevant registry of your new name. Failure to do so can result in a breach of your license or a separate criminal offence.
1. Individuals on the Sex Offenders Register
If you are subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, you have a strict legal obligation regarding name changes.
- The 3-Day Rule: You must notify the police of your change of name (and any alias you use) within 3 days of the change taking place.
- In-Person Notification: This notification must usually be done in person at a designated police station.
- Criminal Offence: Failing to notify the police of a name change while on the register is a criminal offence punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
2. Currently Serving Prisoners
Prisoners are allowed to change their name, but prison governors have the right to refuse to update the "Prisoner Record" if they believe the name change is for a disruptive purpose or poses a security risk.
Official Records
Even if you sign a Deed Poll, the prison may continue to refer to you by your "committed name" (the name you were sentenced under) for administrative and security reasons.
Process
You should notify your wing officer or personal officer. You may need to pay for the Deed Poll from your private funds or prison earnings.
3. People on Probation or License
If you are serving the remainder of your sentence in the community, your license conditions almost certainly include a requirement to "be of good behavior" and keep your Probation Officer informed of your circumstances.
You must consult your Probation Officer before executing a Deed Poll. Changing your name without their knowledge could be interpreted as a failure to be transparent, potentially leading to a recall to prison.
4. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
When applying for jobs that require a DBS check (formerly CRB), you are legally required to list every name you have ever been known by. Changing your name by Deed Poll does not "wipe" your criminal record or remove convictions from a DBS certificate. The system links all your names via your National Insurance number and birth date.
Summary Checklist
- Notify your Probation Officer/Social Worker immediately.
- If on the Sex Offenders Register, visit the police within 3 days.
- Update HMRC and the DWP to ensure benefits are not interrupted.
- Inform the DVLA and Passport Office (they will check records).