Blog Double-barrelling guide 2026
Double-barrelling your surname.
A double-barrelled surname is two family names joined into one, like Dungey-Smith. Want one after the wedding? Your marriage certificate usually covers it, in whichever order you like, hyphen or no hyphen. Here's how it works, when you'd need a deed poll instead, and who to tell.
By Anna Akinyosoye, founder of My Name Changed. I've changed my name four times, and I've double-barrelled loads of my customers' names.
Updated November 2026 and checked against GOV.UK. Wherever a rule matters, I link to the official page.
The short version
- Your marriage or civil partnership certificate is your proof if your new surname is both your surnames as they appear on the certificate. No deed poll needed.
- Any order you like. There's no rule that the bride's or the maiden name goes first.
- Hyphen or no hyphen, your choice. Just pick one and spell it the same way everywhere.
- Either of you can do it, or both. The rules are the same whoever's changing.
- Blending or making something new needs a deed poll. Mainstone + Stein = Mainstein isn't on your certificate, so the certificate can't prove it.
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 the DVLA, HMRC, your council, GP and more. £45, one-off, and a deed poll's included if you need one.
Can you double-barrel with your marriage certificate?
Usually, yes. Your certificate shows both your surnames, so it proves where the new one came from. GOV.UK says to send your certificate for a passport in your new name, and that includes double-barrelled names. Once the new name isn't made of exactly those two surnames, it's a deed poll.
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Double-barrel
Both surnames, with or without a hyphen. Dungey-Smith, or Dungey Smith.
Certificate -
The other way round
Smith-Dungey works just as well. The order is up to you.
Certificate -
Blend them
Mainstone + Stein = MainsteinA brand new name made from both.
Deed poll -
Your surname as a middle name
Taking your partner's surname and moving yours into the middle counts as changing your middle name.
Deed poll -
A third surname in the mix
Adding a parent's surname, or any name that isn't on your certificate.
Deed poll -
Not married?
You can double-barrel any time. Without a certificate to prove it, it's a deed poll.
Deed poll
Need a deed poll? It's one page, and you can make your own for free. Changing your first or middle name at the same time? One deed poll covers the lot.
Make your free deed poll here →
Not sure which you need? Check in 30 seconds →
Whose name goes first?
Whichever you like. There's no legal rule, and your certificate covers either order.
A friend of mine asked me this. She's getting married next year and asked, "Does the maiden name have to go first? Is there an order?" Nope. She loves her surname and wants it last, but she felt like she was breaking some tradition. It's 2026. Go with whatever sounds best and feels right to you both.
- Say it out loud. With your first name, then as Mr, Mrs, Ms or Mx. One way round usually just sounds right.
- Think about the length. Two long surnames make a very long name for forms, signatures and email addresses. Take mine: if my boyfriend ever proposes and I double-barrelled, I'd be Akinyosoye-Keohane or Keohane-Akinyosoye. That's 17 letters before you even get to my first name.
- Agree it before anyone starts. If you're both changing, make sure you've picked the same order, so you match.
Hyphen or no hyphen?
Either is fine, and your certificate covers both. It's mostly about how you want it to look.
- With a hyphen (Dungey-Smith). It's clearly one surname, so it's less likely to get split up on forms.
- Without (Dungey Smith). Looks cleaner to some people, but some forms and systems might read the first part as a middle name.
- Whichever you pick, stick to it. Spell it exactly the same with every organisation. Your travel bookings need to match your passport, so that's the one to get right.
Can your partner double‑barrel too?
Yes. The rules are the same for husbands, wives and civil partners.
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You both double-barrel
You each update your own records, using the same certificate as proof.
Certificate -
Only one of you
Completely fine. One double-barrels, the other keeps their name.
Certificate -
He double-barrels
Men can double-barrel with the certificate exactly the same way.
Certificate -
Kids
A new baby's surname is chosen when you register the birth. Changing a child's existing surname needs everyone with parental responsibility to agree.
GOV.UK on children's names →
The big ones, and how
There's no right order. With a certificate, you can start anywhere.
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Passport
Send your certificate with your application. You can even apply up to 3 months before the wedding, using a form your registrar or minister signs. Passports aren't part of my service yet, so this one's yours.
My passport guide → -
Driving licence
By post, on a D1 form from the Post Office, with your licence and your certificate. It's free. Once your passport's in your new name, you can write your passport number instead of sending the certificate.
My DVLA guide → -
HMRC
Online or in the HMRC app is quickest. Your National Insurance number doesn't change.
My HMRC guide → -
Your bank
Most accept your certificate for a double-barrel, but some can be fussier and ask for a deed poll. Check with yours before you go in.
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Only got one certificate?
The DVLA wants the original, so it can be on holiday with them for a few weeks. A copy from the GRO is £12.50 in England and Wales. Or make a deed poll for free. It's proof of your name change too, and you can print as many as you like. The DVLA and passport office also want a bill in your new name with it.
Make your free deed poll → -
Everyone else
Your council, GP, energy, water, electoral roll and more. Tick them off on your phone as you go.
Free name change checklist →
Or let me do the boring bits.
Double-barrelling, swapping the order, or blending into something new, it's the same form and the same £45. The form works out whether your certificate covers it, and if you need a deed poll, it's included.
I send your updates to the DVLA, HMRC, your council, GP, energy, water, electoral roll, TV Licensing and State Pension. You also get a free backup deed poll, so if your certificate's on holiday with the DVLA, or your bank gets fussy, you've still got proof.
And it's literally just me. Not a big corporation, not a call centre.
Questions about double-barrelled surnames
Anything else? Email hello@mynamechanged.com or DM me on Instagram or TikTok. More answers on the FAQs page.
What is a double-barrelled name?
Two surnames joined into one, usually with a hyphen, like Dungey-Smith. Lots of couples do it after the wedding, so both names carry on. Either partner, or both, can have one.
Can I double-barrel my surname with just my marriage certificate?
Yes, if your new surname is both your surnames as they appear on your marriage or civil partnership certificate. GOV.UK says to send your certificate for a passport in your new name, and that includes double-barrelled names. You don't need a deed poll.
Does the woman's surname have to go first?
No. There's no rule about the order. Your certificate covers either way round, so go with whatever sounds best and feels right to you both.
Does a double-barrelled surname need a hyphen?
No. Dungey-Smith and Dungey Smith both work with your certificate. A hyphen makes it clearer that it's one surname. Whichever you choose, spell it the same way everywhere.
Can my husband double-barrel his surname too?
Yes. The rules are the same for husbands, wives and civil partners. You can both double-barrel, or just one of you, using the same certificate as proof.
Do we both have to have the same double-barrelled name?
No. One of you can double-barrel and the other can keep their name. If you're both changing, agree the order first so your names match.
What if we want to blend our surnames into one?
That needs a deed poll. Mainstone + Stein = Mainstein isn't on your certificate, so the certificate can't prove it. You can make your own deed poll for free, and it's one page.
Can I double-barrel my surname without getting married?
Yes, with a deed poll. Without a marriage or civil partnership certificate, a deed poll is your proof of the new name.
Can I get my passport in my double-barrelled name before the wedding?
Yes. GOV.UK lets you apply up to 3 months before your ceremony, using a form your registrar or minister signs. The new passport is post-dated, so you can't use it until after the wedding, and some countries won't issue visas for it.
Can our children have a double-barrelled surname?
For a new baby, you choose the surname when you register the birth. Changing an existing child's surname needs the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility, or a court order. My service is for adults, so that one's not something I do.
How much does it cost to double-barrel your surname?
Using your certificate, most updates are free, including your driving licence. A passport is £102 online (October 2026). If you'd rather I did it, it's £45 for every update I do, from one form, with a deed poll included if you need one.