Blog Council tax guide 2026
Changing your name on council tax.
Changed your name? You tell your own council, not a central service, and every council does it a bit differently (of course). Here's how to find yours, the quickest way to get in touch, and exactly what to send so they can find your account first time.
By Anna Akinyosoye, founder of My Name Changed. I've changed my name four times, and councils are one of the places I update for my customers.
Updated November 2026 and checked against GOV.UK and council websites. Wherever a rule matters, I link to the official page.
The short version
- Find your council. GOV.UK's checker tells you from your postcode. It's whoever sends your council tax bill.
- Email if you can. Send a photo of your marriage certificate or deed poll. If there's no email, use their online form or post it.
- Give them enough to find you. Using their online form? Just fill it in, it asks for everything. Emailing or posting? Include your address, old name, new name, date of birth, and your account number if you've got it.
- A council tax name change is free, and your bill stays the same. Only the name on it changes.
- The electoral roll is separate. Telling council tax doesn't update it, so do that one too, using GOV.UK's register to vote form.
New here? I'm Anna, and I run My Name Changed. This guide works whether you do it yourself or not. If you'd rather not, you fill in one short form, send a photo of your proof, and I send your new name to your council, the electoral roll, the DVLA, HMRC, your GP and more. £45, one-off, and a deed poll's included if you need one.
Which council do I tell?
The one that sends your council tax bill. If you're not sure, pop your postcode into GOV.UK's checker and it tells you.
- Got two councils? Some areas have a county council and a district or borough council. Council tax is the district or borough one, even though the county gets a share of it. The checker shows you which does what.
- Look at your bill. The council's name, your account number and usually their contact details are all on it.
- Only the people named on the bill need to do it. If your name isn't on the council tax account, there's nothing to change there. You'll still need the electoral roll, though.
How to tell your council
There's no one way of doing it across councils (lol, of course there isn't). Some want an email, some an online form, some want you to set up an account first. Here's how I'd do it.
My shortcut. Google "[your council's name] council tax email". The email address usually pops up in Google's AI answer at the top. Use it, but click through to the council's own website to check it's still listed there. Then just send your email, with a photo of your proof attached, and read the auto-reply. If it says that inbox isn't in use any more, go for their online form or the post instead. Super simple.
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Email
The easiest, if your council has one. Attach a photo of your marriage certificate or deed poll. A clear phone photo is usually fine.
Quickest -
Online form
Search your council's website for "change of name". Some forms let you upload your proof. Some councils make you register for an online account first, so it can take a bit longer.
Common -
Post
If there's no email or form, write to the council tax team at the address on your bill or their website. Send a copy of your proof, never the original.
Slowest
What to include
Using an online form? Just fill it in, it'll ask for everything it needs. Emailing or posting? Give them everything they need to find your account in one go. It saves a reply asking for more.
- Your address. The one you pay council tax for.
- Your old name and your new name. Exactly as they're written on your bill and your proof.
- Your date of birth. Not every council asks, but it helps them be sure they've got the right person.
- Your council tax account number, if you've got it. It's on your bill. If you can't find it, your address and date of birth are usually enough to track you down.
- A photo of your proof. Your marriage or civil partnership certificate, or your deed poll. Not sure which you need?
Check in 30 seconds →
Council tax isn't the electoral roll
They're both at the council, but they're two separate registers, run by different teams. Telling one doesn't update the other.
- Why it matters. Lenders use the electoral register to check who you are, so it's worth having it in your new name. And if you vote with photo ID in your new name, a register still in your old name could mean extra questions at the polling station.
- How to update it. Most councils point you to GOV.UK's register to vote form, or a change of name form from their electoral services team. Some ask for proof too.
- Some councils pass it on for you. A few have one change of name form that tells both teams. Don't count on it unless the form says so.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
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Scotland
Same as England. Council tax is run by your local council, so find yours and tell them the same way. Your marriage certificate works the same UK-wide.
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Wales
Same again. Tell your local council, by email, online form or post, whichever they offer.
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Northern Ireland
No council tax here. You pay rates to Land & Property Services, and they have an online form to update your rate account. I don't do NI rates yet, so this one's yours.
nidirect: update your rate account →
Council done. Now the rest.
There's no right order. If you're using a deed poll, your new council tax bill is handy: the DVLA and the passport office want proof you're already using your new name.
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Driving licence
By post, on a D1 form from the Post Office. It's free.
My DVLA guide → -
HMRC
Online or in the HMRC app. Your National Insurance number stays the same.
My HMRC guide → -
Everyone else
GP, energy, water, bank and more. Tick them off on your phone as you go.
Free name change checklist →
Or let me do the boring bits.
Council tax and the electoral roll are both in the £45, so you don't have to go hunting for the right inbox. You fill in one short form and send a photo of your proof, and I send your new name to your council.
Same goes for the DVLA, HMRC, your GP, energy, water, TV Licensing and State Pension. If you need a deed poll, it's included.
And it's literally just me. Not a big corporation, not a call centre.
Questions about council tax and name changes
Anything else? Email hello@mynamechanged.com or DM me on Instagram or TikTok. More answers on the FAQs page.
Do I need to tell the council I've changed my name?
Yes, if your name is on the council tax bill. Councils ask you to let them know so your account and bills are in the right name. It's free.
How do I change my name on council tax?
Tell your own council. Find it with GOV.UK's find your local council tool, then email, use their online form or post it. Include your address, old and new name, date of birth, account number if you have it, and a photo of your marriage certificate or deed poll.
Can I change my name on council tax by email?
With a lot of councils, yes. Google "[your council] council tax email", check the address is on the council's own website, and attach a photo of your proof. If the auto-reply says that inbox isn't used any more, use their online form or post it instead.
What proof do I need to change my name on council tax?
Your marriage or civil partnership certificate, or your deed poll. Most councils are happy with a photo or a scan. Never post an original unless they specifically ask for it.
Do I need my council tax account number?
It helps, and it's on your bill. If you can't find it, give your address, old name, new name and date of birth, and the council can usually find your account from those.
Will changing my name change my council tax bill?
No. Your band and what you pay stay the same. You'll usually get a new bill in your new name. If someone has moved in or out at the same time, that's a separate change and can affect discounts like the single person discount.
Does changing my name on council tax update the electoral roll?
Usually not. They're two separate registers. Update the electoral roll through GOV.UK's register to vote service or your council's electoral services team.
Can I change my partner's name on our council tax account?
It's best if they tell the council themselves. Some councils will only take it from someone else with a letter of authority from the person whose name is changing.
How long does it take?
It depends on the council. Most update the account and send a new bill in your new name once it's done. If you haven't heard anything in a few weeks, chase them.
Is it the same in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
In Scotland and Wales, yes: tell your local council. Northern Ireland has rates instead of council tax, paid to Land & Property Services, and you update your details through nidirect. I don't do NI rates yet.