Can A Birth Certificate Be Amended?
Very few circumstances exist whereby a birth certificate can be amended. This is because birth certificates are considered historical records which are correct at the time of issue. In most cases you will not be able to have your birth certificate amended and if you wish to legally change your name, you will have to apply for a Deed Poll.
Once you receive your Deed Poll you would send it to all government departments, companies and organisations within the United Kingdom and ask them to amend their records. If you are asked to prove your identity in the future you would produce your birth certificate and Deed Poll which will show your old name and new name. If you have applied for a passport in your new name, you would be able to use it to prove your identity and thus would not need to produce your Deed Poll.
If you think that you may be eligible to have your birth certificate amended, we suggest that you contact the Registry Office where your birth was registered to ask them if a birth certificate amendment is possible.
Related pages
- Can i change my children's names?
- Changing your child's name
- Are there any restrictions on the names i can choose?
- Apply for a Deed Poll
