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What could our married surname be?

Type both surnames to see every way to combine them: one name, double-barrelled, run together or blended. Each option says what it needs, because the marriage certificate covers some and a deed poll each is needed for the rest.

Checked against GOV.UK and HM Passport Office Updated

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Are you marrying or forming a civil partnership?

Worked out in your browser. The names are not sent anywhere, saved, or added to the page address.

With JavaScript turned off the options cannot be worked out. The rules: taking your spouse's surname, or double-barrelling with a hyphen or a space, is covered by your marriage or civil partnership certificate. Running both names together as one word, or blending them, makes a new name, which needs a deed poll for each of you who takes it. Combining your surnames has the detail.

What each option needs

  • One of your surnames, or double-barrelled with a hyphen (Smith-Jones) or a space (Smith Jones): your marriage or civil partnership certificate. GOV.UK's passport guidance says the certificate covers double-barrelled names.
  • Run together as one word (Smithjones) or blended (Smones): HM Passport Office's guidance treats these as a new name, not a double-barrelled one, so each of you who takes it needs a deed poll and evidence you use the name.
  • Not marrying: without a certificate, any shared surname is a change of name by deed poll for each of you who changes.

Combining your surnames and double-barrelling after marriage explain each in full, and will my new name be accepted? checks a name against every rule.

Questions people ask

Do we need a deed poll to double-barrel our surnames?

Not for a passport. GOV.UK says the marriage or civil partnership certificate covers double-barrelled names, with a hyphen or a space. Some organisations still ask for a document showing the exact form. Double-barrelling after marriage

Do we need a deed poll for a blended surname?

Yes, each of you who takes it. HM Passport Office's guidance says two surnames run together as one word, or blended into a new one, make a new name, so the certificate does not cover it. Combining your surnames

Can we combine our surnames if we are not married?

Yes. Without a marriage or civil partnership certificate, any shared surname needs a deed poll for each of you who changes, whether it is one of your names, both joined or a new blend. Taking a partner's surname without marrying

How long can a surname be on a passport?

The passport application allows 30 characters for the surname, spaces included. HM Passport Office decides how to show a longer name. Long names and accents on a passport

Something else? Ask us, and a person replies by email, normally the same working day.