Updating Your Child's Documents

After changing your child's name by deed poll, you need to update their records with schools, medical providers, government departments and other organisations.

What You Need

You will need to show your child's deed poll when updating their records. Most organisations require the original document or a certified copy.



We recommend ordering multiple original deed polls when you apply. This allows you to update several organisations at the same time.

School and Education Records

You should update your child's name with their school or nursery as soon as possible.

Primary and Secondary Schools

Contact your child's school office or reception. You will need to provide:

  • Your child's deed poll
  • Proof of your identity

The school will update:

  • Class registers
  • School records and reports
  • Exam certificates and qualifications
  • School ID cards
  • Contact information

Nurseries and Childcare

Inform any nursery, childminder or childcare provider. They will update their records and any registration documents.

Universities and Colleges

If your child is at university or college, contact the student records office. They will update:

  • Student records
  • Qualification certificates
  • Student ID
  • Accommodation records

Medical Records

GP Surgery

Visit or contact your GP surgery. Provide your child's deed poll and ask them to update:

  • NHS records
  • Medical records
  • Prescription records
  • Appointment systems

The GP surgery will update your child's details on the central NHS system.

Dentist and Optician

Inform your child's dentist and optician separately. They keep their own records that need updating.

Health Visitor Records

If you have a health visitor for a young child, inform them of the name change. They keep separate records.

Government Departments and Services

Child Benefit

Contact HMRC to update your child's name on child benefit records. You can usually do this by phone or post.


Provide your child's deed poll and your child benefit reference number.

Tax Credits and Universal Credit

If you receive tax credits, contact HMRC to inform them of your child's name change.


If you receive Universal Credit, contact the Department for Work and Pensions.



Your payments may be affected if your child's records do not match.

Passport

If your child has a passport, you will need to apply for a new passport in their new name.


You cannot update a child's passport online in the same way as an adult. You must apply by post using a paper form.


The process and requirements are similar to updating an adult passport. You will need:

  • Your child's current passport
  • Your child's deed poll
  • Evidence that your child is using their new name (such as a letter from their school).

Birth Certificate

You cannot update your child's birth certificate after changing their name by deed poll. The birth certificate remains a record of the name given at birth.


Use your child's birth certificate and deed poll together when you need to prove their identity. All organisations understand and accept this.


For babies under 12 months, you may be able to apply for re-registration, which would allow you to update their birth certificate. Find out about changing a baby's name.

Council Services

Update your child's name with your local council if relevant.

Council Tax

If your child affects your council tax (for example, if they are in further education), inform your council of the name change.

School Admissions

If you are applying for school places, use your child's new name on applications. Provide the deed poll as supporting evidence.

Free School Meals

If your child receives free school meals, inform the school office directly. They will update your child's name on their free school meals records.

Other Organisations

Sports Clubs & Activities

Inform any sports clubs, music lessons, or activity groups your child attends. They will need to update:

  • Membership records
  • Registration for competitions or events
  • Contact information

Library

Inform any sports clubs, music lessons, or activity groups your child attends. They will need to update:

  • Membership records
  • Registration for competitions or events
  • Contact information

Bank Accounts

If your child has a bank account or savings account, contact the bank to update their name. Requirements vary by bank.

Child Trust Fund or Junior ISA

If your child has a Child Trust Fund or Junior ISA, contact the provider to update their name on the account.

Insurance Policies

If your child is named on any insurance policies (such as health insurance or travel insurance), inform the insurance company.

Timeline

There is no legal deadline for updating most organisations. However, you should update records as soon as possible to avoid confusion.

Update First

Priority updates include:

  • School or nursery
  • GP surgery and medical records
  • Child benefit and benefits

These are the records most frequently used and checked.

Update Next

Secondary priorities include:

  • Passport (if your child has one or will need one soon)
  • Bank accounts
  • Council services

Update When Convenient

Less urgent updates include:

  • Sports clubs and activities
  • Library cards
  • Other memberships

Documents to Provide

Different organisations have different requirements. Most accept:

  • The original deed poll (photocopies are not usually accepted)
  • Proof of your identity as the parent or guardian

Some organisations may also want to see your child's birth certificate or other identification.

Apply for Your Child's Deed Poll

You can order multiple deed poll copies when you apply to make updating your child's records faster and easier.


Apply online with Deedly and receive your child's deed poll within days.