Apply to change a name

You can apply to the National Records of Scotland to change your first names (forenames) or surname or change the names of a child you have parental responsibility for. 

People under 16 can only have:

• one forename change
• one surname change.

People over 16 can only have:

• one forename change
• up to 3 surname changes, with a gap of at least 5 years between each.

You can change a name if you or the person you’re applying for:

• was born in Scotland
• was legally adopted in Scotland
• has a parental order granted in Scotland.

For children under 16

A change of name for child under 16 years can only be done by:

• a parent who has sole parental responsibilities for the child
• both parents when both have parental responsibilities for the child
• another person who has responsibilities for the child when neither parent does.

If you are over 16 years of age, you can apply or a change to your forename or surname yourself.

Marriage, civil partnership, or divorce

You do not need to apply to change your name following a marriage, civil partnership, or divorce.

Gender recognition

If you’ve applied for gender recognition in Scotland and want to change your name, the National Records of Scotland will register your new name.

See more information about gender recognition (National Records of Scotland website).

For people born outside of Scotland

There is a different process to change your name if you were born outside of Scotland (National Records of Scotland website).

Recording a change of name

The cost for recording a change of name is £40.

For family applications where multiple people are changing their names at once, the fees are:

• £40 for the first family member
• £10 for every other family member applied for at the same time.

Ordering a birth certificate

You do not automatically get a replacement birth certificate.

When you apply for a change of name, the National Records of Scotland will explain how to get a new birth certificate. 

Once the change of name has been recorded, you can purchase a new certificate. This will show your new name and your previous name.

You’ll need to complete the relevant form if the name change is for a:

• child under 12 months old
• child over 12 months old and under 16 years old
• person over 16 years old.

You’ll also need to provide an email address so the National Records of Scotland can contact you.

Parental responsibilities

If a court made an order to give or remove from any person parental responsibilities and rights for the child, you’ll need to include a copy of the court order with your application.

If a Parental Responsibilities and Parental Rights Agreement been made, you’ll need to include a copy of the agreement with your application.

You’ll need to complete the relevant form and send it to the National Records of Scotland. 

You can only apply by post. National Records of Scotland does not accept digital applications. 
If the child is under 12 months of age, complete either an:

• application for recording or changing their forename (Form 21)
• application for recording a change to their surname (Form 23).

If the person is over 12 months of age and under 16 years, complete an application for recording a change their forename, surname, or both (Form 23).

If the person is over 16 years, complete an application for recording a change to their forename or surname (Form 24).

Complete and sign the documents in ink and send the application form to the Change of Name Team at:

The National Records of Scotland will contact you by email about your application. They aim to email you within 20 days of receiving your application.