How to Double-Barrel Your Surname in the UK

Quick answer

To double-barrel your surname, combine two surnames with a hyphen or space in your chosen order. After marriage or civil partnership, HM Passport Office accepts the certificate for this change. Check other organisations before buying a deed poll. Outside that certificate route, a deed poll can provide evidence linking your old and new names.

Who should skip this

Check the certificate route first after marriage or civil partnership, including for a double-barrelled surname. Skip a child pack unless every parental-responsibility holder agrees.

Updated 8 September 2026 · Editorial policy

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Do I need a deed poll to double-barrel?

Not automatically after marriage or civil partnership: HM Passport Office accepts the certificate for double-barrelled names. Other organisations set their own evidence rules, so check first. If you are combining names outside that route, an unenrolled deed poll can document the change. Correct signing and any supporting evidence still matter.

The document is the same £14.99 adult deed poll — your new name is simply the double-barrelled one. Marriage context: after marriage. Civil partners: civil partnership name change.

Hyphen or space — and whose name goes first?

Entirely your choice: Smith-Jones, Smith Jones or Jones-Smith are all valid. Choose the exact form you want and use it consistently; the deed poll records it character-for-character and every record-holder follows the document. Apostrophes in names such as O’Brien stay; decorative symbols do not.

Length and refused characters: UK name restrictions. HMPO systems hold around 30 characters each for forenames and surname.

Can we blend our surnames into a new one?

Yes — a blended or entirely new surname is a normal deed poll name change. Because no marriage or divorce certificate could ever evidence it, the deed poll is the single document that proves it. The same applies to changing first or middle names at the same time. Each partner who is changing signs their own deed.

Each of you can complete the three-minute form. DIY: free template.

How do children get a double-barrelled surname?

Through a child deed poll, with the consent of everyone who holds parental responsibility — usually both parents. A posted “family deed poll” does not replace those consent letters. If anyone with parental responsibility refuses, stop and use form C100; a PDF cannot create missing consent.

See changing your child’s surname and the child deed poll pack. Our adult £25 name-change pack covers one adult only — children are a separate form.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Can I double-barrel my surname after marriage without a deed poll?

HM Passport Office accepts a marriage or civil partnership certificate for double-barrelled names after the ceremony. You do not automatically need a deed poll because the combined name is not printed as your new name. Check the evidence policy of each other organisation.

Which order do the surnames go in?

Whichever order you choose — there is no legal rule. Hyphenated or spaced, either surname first; the deed poll simply records the exact new name you adopt.

Can we both double-barrel, or create a new blended surname?

Yes — either or both partners can double-barrel, and blending two surnames into a new one is equally possible. A blend always needs a deed poll, since no certificate will evidence the new name.

Can my children have the double-barrelled surname too?

Yes, but a child’s name change needs the consent of everyone with parental responsibility — usually both parents. Our child deed poll pack includes the consent letters you will need.