Changing Your Name at 16 or 17

If you are 16 or 17, you can change your name by deed poll without permission from your parents. The decision is yours.



This works in both directions. Your parents cannot change your name without your agreement either. From 16, your name is your own decision.

Your Right to Change Your Name

When you turn 16, you are treated as an adult for name changes. You apply for your own deed poll, choose your own name, and sign it yourself.



You do not need to give anyone a reason, and nobody needs to approve your choice.

Court Orders and Exceptions

If you are subject to certain court orders, you may still need consent from everyone with parental responsibility until the order ends. In Northern Ireland, these include Residence Orders and Care Orders made under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.



Check your court order to see when it ends. Most end on your 18th birthday if no earlier date is given. If an order specifically forbids changing your name, you cannot change it while the order is in force without the court's permission.

If you are not sure whether an order applies to you, ask a trusted adult or a solicitor before applying.

If Your Parents Disagree

If no court order applies, your parents cannot legally stop you from changing your name at 16 or 17.



You do not need their permission, but their support can make the practical side easier when you update your documents. Organisations you update will correspond with you in your new name.

The Process

The process is the same as for adults. You apply, then sign your deed poll in front of 2 witnesses. Your witnesses must be over 18, but you do not need to be.



Our guide to changing your name in Northern Ireland explains the full process.

Updating Your Documents

You can use your deed poll to update your school or college records, your bank, and your other records. You do not need parental permission for these updates. If a particular account was set up to require a parent's involvement, that account's own terms may still apply, but this is about the account, not the name change.

Passports work slightly differently. HM Passport Office treats applicants under 18 as children for application purposes, which can involve a parent's signature on the application. Your deed poll is still valid proof of your name; the application process is just the child process until you turn 18.



See our article on who to inform when you change your name for the full list.

Changing Your Mind Later

You can change your name again in future if you want to. There is no limit on how many times, and the process is the same each time.

Ready to Change Your Name?

Apply online and receive your deed poll by post within days. Each document is drafted to Northern Irish requirements, printed on parchment paper and embossed with a seal.

Once signed and witnessed, it is legally binding and guaranteed to be accepted in Northern Ireland and throughout the UK.