Where SSAFA comes from#
SSAFA began in 1885, when Major James Gildea wrote to The Times as troops sailed for Egypt, asking for money and volunteers to help the families they left behind. It describes itself as the UK's oldest national tri-service military charity, and its local branches and volunteers are still the base of its work. Today its services cover moving into civilian life, older veterans, disability, mental wellbeing, welfare and benefits, housing, veterans in the criminal justice system, and community health services for forces families in places such as Brunei, Gibraltar and Cyprus.
Who it helps, and how to reach it#
SSAFA's services are for anyone who has received at least one day's pay from the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force or Royal Marines, including reserves, and for their immediate family. Forcesline is the main way in: a free, confidential helpline, email form and live chat, open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Friday, reachable from anywhere in the world. SSAFA stresses that it sits outside the military chain of command and that your privacy matters to it. You can also find a branch by postcode.
Services that touch a change of name#
SSAFA publishes nothing on names, but three of its services meet people whose names are changing:
- Domestic Abuse Outreach gives confidential support to anyone in the armed forces community affected by domestic abuse, including safety planning and advocacy with housing, legal and safeguarding services, and supported housing for women and children. Someone leaving an abusive relationship may want a new name as part of that plan.
- Gurkha services, for people who served in the Brigade of Gurkhas and their families, explain the move from physical immigration documents to eVisas.
- Housing advice can help with deposits or arrears, though its advisers say they cannot give legal advice.
Changing a name inside forces life#
The armed forces guide has the whole process; the points that matter most to serving people and families are these:
- Unit HR first. Take your deed poll, or marriage or civil partnership certificate, to unit HR staff to update your record on JPA. A spouse taking a surname on marriage needs no deed poll.
- Clearance. If you hold security clearance, report the change to United Kingdom Security Vetting as well.
- Before you leave. Get the new name on JPA before discharge, because records are not normally amended afterwards.
- eVisas. GOV.UK's service for updating an eVisa asks for an identity document in the new name, such as a passport, not the deed poll: see UKVI and eVisas.
If safety is the reason#
If you are changing your name to get away from someone, the deed does not need to be published anywhere: GOV.UK's free wording, signed before two adult witnesses, is private unless you enrol it, and enrolment puts your names and address in The Gazette. Changing your name to stay safe explains what to keep private. Veterans who are not in contact with SSAFA can also turn to the Royal British Legion.
This page describes what SSAFA publishes on its own website, read on 26 October 2026. SSAFA has not reviewed it, and listing a charity here does not mean it recommends this handbook or any deed poll service.
