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

Change description : 2026-06-08 09:03:00: Updated the sections on When the customer has too many names, HEO decides birth name may cause public offence and Names that cannot be used. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : ..2026-06-08 08:04:31.561001698 +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
8 June 2026 — See all updates

Documents

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

HTML

Names: names that cannot be used in passports

PDF, 210 KB, 16 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 8 June 2026 + show all updates

  1. Updated the sections on When the customer has too many names, HEO decides birth name may cause public offence and Names that cannot be used.

  2. This guidance has been updated throughout. A list of changes made since the last version is in the document.

  3. 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.

  4. Updated version published.

  5. Accessible version added.

  6. First published.

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Update history

2026-06-08 09:03
Updated the sections on When the customer has too many names, HEO decides birth name may cause public offence and Names that cannot be used.