Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/names-names-that-cannot-be-used-in-passports

Change description : 2025-04-10 12:05:00: Added guidance about names that contain apostrophe. Updated information for examiners about adding a name to a passport and how to shorten a child’s middle name. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2022-12-14 09:45:02.156870067 +00:00..2025-04-10 11:05:22.041265729 +00:00

Guidance

Names that cannot be used in passports: caseworker guidance

Tells HM Passport Office staff about names that cannot be used in passports.

From:
HM Passport Office
Published
22 March 2021
Last updated
1410 DecemberApril 20222025 — See all updates

Documents

Names: names that cannot be used in passports (accessible)

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Names: names that cannot be used in passports

PDF, 277202 KB, 1917 pages

Details

This guidance tells HM Passport Office staff about names that cannot be used in passports and how to deal with applications that have them, including names that:

  • cause public offence
  • breach trademark or copyright
  • our system cannot accept for technical reasons

Updates to this page

Published 22 March 2021
Last updated 1410 DecemberApril 2022 + show2025 href="#full-history">+ show all updates

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Update history

2025-11-24 15:34
This guidance has been updated throughout. A list of changes made since the last version is in the document.

2025-04-10 12:05
Added guidance about names that contain apostrophe. Updated information for examiners about adding a name to a passport and how to shorten a child’s middle name.

2022-12-14 09:44
Updated version published.

2022-09-29 11:46
Accessible version added.