Change your name with the Post Office and Royal Mail
General UK name-change information, not individual legal advice. Requirements can vary by organisation and UK jurisdiction; where a decision matters, check the relevant official guidance.
Once your deed poll is signed and witnessed you can start using your new name. The Post Office and Royal Mail do not hold a single "registered name" for you, so there is no central record to update — but a few practical steps make sure post and parcels reach you smoothly while you notify everyone else.
Do you need to tell the Post Office?
There is no legal duty to inform the Post Office of a name change. What matters is that the people and organisations who write to you know your new name. Update your name with each sender — your bank, employer, HMRC, utility providers and so on — and the post they send will arrive in your new name.
Royal Mail Redirection
If you are worried that post addressed in your old name might be missed, Royal Mail offers a paid Redirection service. For a set period it forwards mail addressed in a specified name (including your previous name) to your address. A short redirection covers the gap while you work through your notification list.
- Apply for Redirection online via Royal Mail, selecting your previous name.
- Redirection is charged per name and per period.
- It is a convenience, not a legal requirement.
Collecting parcels and showing ID
When a parcel needs to be collected with ID, the name on the parcel should match the ID you show. If a parcel is addressed in your old name, bring photo ID in that old name, or your new photo ID together with your deed poll to explain the difference.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to tell the Post Office or Royal Mail when I change my name?▼
There is no legal requirement to tell the Post Office itself, but if you want post addressed in your new name to reach you reliably you should update your details with the senders and, where useful, set up a Royal Mail Redirection in your previous name for a transitional period.
Does Royal Mail Redirection use my old or new name?▼
Redirection moves mail from an old address or old name to your current address. You can redirect mail addressed in your previous name so nothing is missed while you notify each organisation of your new name.
Will the Post Office update my identity for parcel collection?▼
For parcels that need ID, the name on the parcel should match the name on the ID you present. Showing your deed poll alongside photo ID in your old name usually resolves any query at the counter.
Free tools to help your name change
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