Display names and legal names#
Online accounts hold your name in one of two ways, and it decides how much the company wants to see.
A name you set yourself. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon let you change your name in the account settings, and none of their help pages asks for a document at the time. They set their own limits instead. Facebook allows a change once every 60 days and expects the name you use in everyday life; Google says you can change your name as many times as you want; Microsoft says a new name can take up to 24 hours to show everywhere. Facebook may later ask you to confirm your name, and if you verify your identity on LinkedIn while your profile name differs from your ID, LinkedIn shows the ID name beside it.
A name the company checks. Payment services work differently. PayPal says that "for regulatory reasons" it confirms customers' names, addresses and dates of birth, and that a legal or major change of name may need supporting documents, such as valid photo ID. Where money moves, names must also match: Amazon's payment help says your name and address should match your card exactly, PayPal asks you to remove and re-add a bank account whose name has changed, and eBay says a seller's new name must match the bank account payouts go to.
Two things follow. None of the nine mentions a deed poll: PayPal asks for valid photo ID, and Facebook's list is led by government ID such as a passport or driving licence. So change your passport or driving licence before you need to prove a new name to a payment service. And change your bank before the payment accounts, so the card and the account agree: most banks accept a deed poll, but Lloyds, Halifax and Santander accept an unenrolled one only with a passport or driving licence in the new name, and Barclays wants photo ID in the new name for a new first name (banks compared).
How to change your name on each account#
Each company's name links to its own help page, checked on 30 September 2026.
| Account | How to change it | What they ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Settings and privacy, Settings, Accounts Centre, Profiles, your account, then Name; once every 60 days | Nothing at the time; if asked to confirm your name, one government ID, or two other documents, showing the name you want | |
| Accounts Centre, Profiles, then the name on your profile; or Edit profile | Nothing listed; it can sync your name with a Facebook profile in the same Accounts Centre | |
| Me, View Profile, the edit icon, then First Name and Last Name; an earlier name can go in Additional name | Nothing listed; if you verified your identity, the ID name shown is view-only and cannot be updated | |
| PayPal | Settings, Change name, then the type of change; a misspelling of up to 2 characters can be corrected once | For a legal or major change, supporting documents may be asked for, such as valid photo ID, front and back |
| Amazon | Your Account, Login and Security, then Edit next to your name; your public name is changed in Your Profile | Nothing listed; the name for a card payment should match the card exactly |
| Apple Account | On an iPhone, Settings, your name, then Personal Information; on a Mac, the same in System Settings | Nothing listed |
| Google Account | Personal info, Name, then Edit; Gmail's sending name is changed in Gmail's own settings | Nothing listed; as many changes as you like |
| eBay | My eBay, Account, Personal information, then Edit | Nothing listed; a seller's name must match the bank account for payouts |
| Microsoft account | Sign in, Your info, Edit name; up to 24 hours to show everywhere | Nothing listed; on a work or school account your organisation may not allow it |
Questions people ask
How do I change my name on Facebook after marriage?
The same way as any other change: Accounts Centre, then Profiles, your account and Name. Facebook says you can also add another name, such as a maiden name, and that you should use the first name and surname you use in everyday life. Once changed, it cannot be changed again for 60 days, so check the spelling first.
Can I change my name on Facebook without ID?
Usually, yes: the change itself asks for no document. Facebook may ask you to confirm your name, and then says you do not need government ID: two items from its list of other documents, such as a student card or a loyalty card, can do instead, as long as both show the name you want on your profile and at least one shows your date of birth or a photo.
How do I change the name on my Gmail?
Gmail's sending name is separate from your Google Account name. On a computer, open Gmail's settings, choose Accounts and import, and under Send email as, select Edit info; Google says you cannot do this in the Gmail app. It adds that you may be able to change a gmail.com address to a new gmail.com address, after which you cannot create another for 12 months.
Can people still see my old name after I change it?
Some traces stay. Google says emails you sent keep the name you used then, and that searching an old name may still find your earlier Chat messages. LinkedIn lets you choose who sees a former name you add. If privacy matters, who can see my former name? and changing your name to stay safe go further.
Something else? Ask us, and a person replies by email, normally the same working day.
