passport help what surname should i use?

Question

Im 17 and was born with the surname Arnold that is what is on my birth certificate. I have been brought up by my stepdad since I was 2 years old and over the years used his name Harris I just discovered I was never legally adopted so my surname is still Arnold. my bank account, gcse, nat insurance number ,ect are all Harris . I now want to apply for a passport and drivers licence so what name do I legally use how can I get both names to ID me

Answer 1

You will have to use the surname Arnold unless you officially do a change of name deed to Harris. Then when you apply for passport you need to include your birth certificate AND the change of name deed.

Answer 2

We are not talking about an actual change of name. Your name is Harris and you have simply used the name of Arnold as a convenience over the years. You might be able to get your national insurance and bank details changed simply by writing with a copy of your birth certificate (and anything else they ask for) and explainining, as women do when they change their names on marriage (only they, of course, show their marriage certificate). In applying for your passport you submit your birth certificate, so clearly you should apply in the name of Harris, but you should enter the name of Arnold in the space where it asks for any names formerly used. You might be able to obtain advice on the following link, where they probably have experience of your kind of problem:http://www.ukdps.co.uk/

Answer 3

Why dont you simply do what is called a Deed Poll and legally change your name to Harris, then you can apply for a passport in that name and all your existing paperwork will be correct. Most lawyers should be able to put one together quickly and it should not cost you much. Then you'll have to provide your birth cert AND deed showing your change of name for the passport company - or hyphenate your name in the deed ie Arnold-Harris, then you have both names.

Answer 4

I would continue to use Harris. What i mean is that you have used the name Harris is in the National Insurance Number and bank account, so in order not to confuse just use Harris.

Answer 5

You should have your named changed to whichever one you pleases you better. I'd choose Harris because probably most of the people you know use that name now. Now is the time before things get more complicated as you get older. It is quite simple to do. Get in touch with your local county department that handles birth and death certificates and they will help you.

Answer 6

You need to use the name on your birth certificate unless you have changed it by some legal process such as deed poll, marriage etc. I believe you can have your name and "also known as" on a passport best to check that with the passport office

Answer 7

It's quite simple to change your name by deed poll. You can legally change your name from Arnold to Harris. Contact your local Citizen's Advice Bureau or ring round local solicitors to see what they charge.
Good Luck

Answer 8

you can change your name by depole for £60 so that in the case of you getting married ect you will be harris but your birth certificate can not be changed you will have to put arnold im sorry to say the law says that if you havent changed your name by depole or married you have to use the name on your birth certificate. with depole papers you can call yourself what ever you want. ive had it done myself it took about 4 days good luck

Answer 9

Your name is Arnold. Your Birth Certificate is the crucial document.

Answer 10

fill in your forms with your surname Arnold and write in known as Harris, because you have to send your birth certificate off with the forms