Change of name, name discrepancy and naming children letters
Downloadable letters explaining UK laws and conventions on people's names and name changing.
British embassies, high commissions and consulates provide these standard letters to explain UK laws and conventions to local authorities abroad. They’re sometimes called information notes.
If a local authority asks you for a name or change of name certificate, you can provide one of these letters instead.
Change of name
Under UK law you can change your surname or forename. If you’re asked to provide proof of this law in any of the countries listed here, download the relevant letter.
Stamped and signed versions of these letters cost £50 but are only available in some countries. Ask the British embassy, high commission or consulate if you can get a stamped and signed version.
Name discrepancies on British documents
British embassies, consulates and high commissions cannot verify that two or more documents with name discrepancies are for the same person. If you’re asked for proof of this, download the relevant letter.
Stamped and signed versions of these letters cost £50 but are only available in some countries. Ask the British embassy, high commission or consulate if you can get a stamped and signed version.
Naming children
Under UK law parents may give their child any forename or surname. If you’re asked to provide proof of UK law about naming children download the relevant letter.
Stamped and signed versions of these letters cost £50 but are only available in some countries. Ask the British embassy, high commission or consulate if you can get a stamped and signed version.
Updates to this page
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Added information note on permitting British Nationals to leave nationality blank when registering their child’s birth in Vietnam.
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A letter added for use in Vietnam: from 1 July 2025, British Embassy Hanoi and British Consulate-General Ho Chi Minh City will stop issuing documents to verify that name discrepancies in British documents refer to the same person.
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A letter added for use in Brazil explaining that the British Embassy cannot verify that name discrepancies in documents refer to the same person.
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Portugal change of name letters added.
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United Arab Emirates (UAE) change of name letter added.
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All countries and territories letter removed.
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Link to get a signed and stamped letter added. All countries and territories letter added.
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First published.