Can I change the name on my British passport if I have dual citizenship (‘dual nationality’) Ukrainian and British
Can I change my name on my British passport without first changing my name on my Ukrainian passport?
If you have dual citizenship (‘dual nationality’) and have a non-British passport, the name and gender on your non-British passport must match the name and gender you want on your British passport. If they’re different, change the details on your non-British passport before you apply for a new British passport. You can apply for a new passport online using this link Change your name or personal details on your passport: How it works - GOV.UK It costs £102.
The standard public guidance says that a dual national’s non-British passport must match the name requested in the British passport. If the names differ, the applicant is normally expected to change the foreign passport first. [gov.uk]
However, the more detailed caseworker guidance recognises exceptions where:
the foreign country’s legal, cultural, social or technical rules prevent alignment;
there is no reasonable way to change the foreign document;
the applicant is already in the process of changing it;
changing it would be exceptionally difficult or take a long time;
the applicant must travel to another country to complete the change;
applying the ordinary requirement would be unreasonable in the applicant’s individual circumstances.
The strongest specific exception would apply if the official Ukrainian evidence confirms that the applicant must travel to Ukraine to change the surname in their Ukrainian passport.
The current caseworker guidance states that, where the applicant must travel to the issuing country to change the name, HM Passport Office may:
issue a full-validity British passport;
include an observation showing the details of the foreign document and the different name;
recommend that the applicant align the foreign document before the next British passport renewal.
This would be the clearest route if the Ukrainian consular section confirms that the procedure cannot be completed from the United Kingdom.
If the caseworker decides that requiring the applicant to change the Ukrainian passport first would be unreasonable, HM Passport Office may issue a full-validity British passport in the married surname, normally with an observation connecting it to the name in the Ukrainian passport.
If the caseworker considers the Ukrainian route reasonably accessible, the person may be told that the British passport cannot be issued until the applicant either:
changes the Ukrainian passport; or
provides evidence that the applicant has applied to change it.
Summary
As a general rule, dual nationals must ensure that the name and gender on their non-British passport match the details requested for their British passport, meaning the foreign passport should normally be updated first. However, HM Passport Office may make an exception where changing the foreign document is not reasonably possible, would be exceptionally difficult or lengthy, is already in progress, or requires travel to the issuing country. If official evidence confirms that the applicant must travel to Ukraine, or that requiring prior amendment of the Ukrainian passport would be unreasonable, a full-validity British passport may be issued in the new surname, usually with an observation linking it to the name in the Ukrainian passport. Otherwise, the applicant may be required to change the Ukrainian passport or provide evidence that the change process has begun before the British passport can be issued.
Information and Jurisdiction Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice under the law of England and Wales, Ukraine, or any other jurisdiction.
