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Guidance

Names that cannot be used in passports: caseworker guidance

Tells HM Passport Office staff about names that cannot be used in passports.

Updates to this page

From:
HM Passport Office
Published:
22 March 2021
Last updated:
27 August 2026
Show all updates

  1. This guidance has been updated in the section Names that cannot be used, to remove information which tells examiners that the customer can provide their full name in the ‘other information’ section on an application.

  2. Updated the sections on When the customer has too many names, HEO decides birth name may cause public offence and Names that cannot be used.

  3. This guidance has been updated throughout. A list of changes made since the last version is in the document.

  4. Added guidance about names that contain apostrophe. Updated information for examiners about adding a name to a passport and how to shorten a child's middle name.

  5. Updated version published.

  6. Accessible version added.

  7. First published.

Documents

Names: names that cannot be used in passports (accessible)

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This guidance tells HM Passport Office staff about names that cannot be used in passports and how to deal with applications that have them, including names that:

  • cause public offence
  • breach trademark or copyright
  • our system cannot accept for technical reasons

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