Changing your name after bankruptcy

Your legal position under bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a statutory insolvency process under the Insolvency Act 1986. It transfers your property to a trustee in bankruptcy for distribution to creditors and imposes certain restrictions (limits on obtaining credit above £500 without disclosure, restrictions on acting as a company director). It does not remove or restrict your common-law right to use any name you choose.

The only practical requirement during bankruptcy is to notify the trustee of any name change so the bankruptcy record held by the Insolvency Service on the Individual Insolvency Register accurately reflects your identity going forward.

Before discharge

Most bankruptcy discharges are automatic one year after the bankruptcy order. During that period, you can apply for a deed poll and have it witnessed in the ordinary way. Notify the trustee in bankruptcy in writing that you have changed your name and enclose a copy of your deed poll certificate.

If a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (BRO) has been made against you (extended restrictions between 2 and 15 years) it does not affect your name-change right — you continue to be required to disclose the BRO when obtaining credit above £500; that restriction follows your identity, not your name.

After discharge

Once discharged, you can change your name by deed poll exactly as any other adult. The discharge certificate is a separate document; you may be asked for it by lenders when applying for credit alongside a recent deed poll. The bankruptcy remains on your credit file for 6 years from the date of the bankruptcy order, regardless of discharge date or name change.

Who to notify — and in what order

1. Trustee in bankruptcy — notify in writing with a copy of your deed poll.
2. Insolvency Service — the trustee passes the change to the Insolvency Service; the Individual Insolvency Register updates your record into both names.
3. HMRC — update your tax and NI record via your Personal Tax Account.
4. The official receiver — only if your case is still with the OR (i.e. before trustee appointment).
5. Banks and other accounts — same as any name change: deed poll + ID.
6. Credit reference agencies — your previous and new names are linked as aliases on your credit file. No direct write needed.