How long will the whole process take?
To avoid any hassle, Your Name Change can help to make the name change process as simple and speedy as possible. How long will it all take? Here’s a guideline for how long it will take to change your name with some of the main organisations:
Deed Poll documentation
After completing a short online form you will receive your deed poll in 1-3 days. If you have an urgent matter to deal with and need your deed poll documentation ASAP then you can have your deed poll as soon as the next day if you choose the express of priority delivery option.
Passport
The process involves applying for a new passport in your new name, which can take 2-3 weeks for standard service or 1 week for the fast track option.
Utility Bills
Changing your name on utility bills like electricity, gas, water, etc. is relatively straightforward. You can simply provide a copy of your deed poll to each provider/supplier and they will update the details on your account. This process is usually completed within 7- 10 days.
HMRC (Tax Records)
Informing HMRC of your name change can be done by providing a copy of your deed poll. This will update your tax records, national insurance number, etc. This process takes on average 2-3 weeks.
Bank Accounts
To change your name on bank accounts, you’ll need to visit the branch in person with the relevant documentation (e.g. marriage certificate, deed poll, etc). The bank will then update your name on your current and savings accounts, as well as any associated cards and statements. This process typically takes 1-2 weeks for the bank to fully update all your account details.
Credit Cards
For credit cards, you’ll need to contact the card issuer directly to update your name. It I similar to updating bank details so expect it to take 1-2 weeks.
Insurance Policies
For insurance policies like home, life, or car, you’ll need to contact the specific insurer to update your name.
This is a separate process from updating your bank accounts, and the timelines may vary by insurer.
The key is that you’ll need to provide the relevant documentation like marriage certificates or deed polls to the financial institutions directly, either in person at a branch or by mail. The overall process typically takes 1-2 weeks for banks to fully update your details across all your accounts and services.
The key points are:
Passport and driving license changes can take the longest, around 2-3 weeks typically.
Utility bills, HMRC records, Banking, Credit facilities and Insurance policies can usually be updated within 1-2 weeks of providing the deed poll. The total time to complete all these name changes is generally 4-5 weeks. The process involves simply providing a new deed poll to each relevant organization to have your records updated.