Recording Change of Forename or Surname

All applications for Change of Name should be made to:

General Register Office
Change of Name Unit
New Register House
Edinburgh EH1 3YT

Who can have a change of Forename(s) or Surname(s) recorded?

Any person whose birth is registered in Scotland or who was legally adopted in Scotland can apply to have a change of forename(s) or surname(s) recorded.

Any application for a change to be recorded in respect of a child under 16 years of age must be made by a qualified applicant (parent/guardian).

After reaching 16 years of age a person may apply at any time for a change of forename(s) or surname(s) to be recorded.

Please note that any birth certificate issued subsequent to the recording of the change will show the new forename(s) and surname(s) with the original forename(s) and surname(s) shown separately.

Fees

Current fee for the recording of a change of name - £40.00*
Extract of birth entry - £15.00
Abbreviated extract of birth entry - £15.00
Two extracts for the same person (two including parentage shown or one with parentage and one without (abbreviated) ordered at the same time) - £25.00

* If there are two or more children from the same family applying to record a change of name at the same time, each subsequent application fee will be £10.00.

Avoiding Delay

The most common causes of delays in processing applications are:

The absence of the signatures of both parents where the parents of the child were married at the time of the child's conception
The absence of Form PRF where the parents never married and the mother has sole parental responsibilities
The form is not signed and/or dated
Insufficient fees enclosed with application