In This Section

Introduction
Eligibility
Frequently asked questions
Submit an application

If your application is successful
Fee
Legislation
Contact us

Introduction

If you are a non-EEA national over the age of 18 and you wish to legally change your name to a name that is different to the one on your birth certificate, you must apply for a change of name licence. Once you have been granted a change of name licence you must apply to the Deed Poll Office to legally change your name.

Eligibility

If you are a non-EEA national and wish to officially change your name you can apply for a change of name licence from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of the Department of Justice. The postal address for this application is given below.

Frequently asked questions

No. If you are an Irish citizen you are not required to obtain a change of name licence. You can apply directly to the Deed Poll Office to change your name. If you believe that that Office may have a doubt as to your Irish citizenship, you may ask ISD to provide you a letter stating that you do not require a change of name licence.

In requesting such a letter, you must provide ISD with the following original documents:

  • Your long-form birth certificate
  • Your current passport
  • Any documents you have that would indicate any previous name change. Such documents would be, for example, your marriage certificate if you have changed your name upon marriage or deed poll documents if you have previously executed a deed poll.

No. If you are a British citizen you are not required to obtain a change of name licence. You can apply to change your name by deed poll. As above, you may be required to provide a letter from the Department stating that you do not require a change of name licence.

Before issuing you with a letter, we require the following original documents:

  • Your long-form birth certificate
  • Your current passport
  • Any documents you have that would indicate any previous name change, that is, your marriage certificate if you have changed your name upon marriage. Or, deed poll documents if you have previously executed a deed poll.

No. If you are an EU citizen you are not required to obtain a change of name licence. You can apply to change your name by deed poll. You may be required to provide a letter from the Department stating that you do not require a change of name licence.

Before issuing you with a letter, we require the following original documents:

  • Your long-form birth certificate
  • Your current passport
  • Any documents you have that would indicate any previous name change, that is, your marriage certificate if you have changed your name upon marriage. Or, deed poll documents if you have previously executed a deed poll.

If you are under the age of 18 you are not required to obtain a change of name licence. You can apply to change your name by deed poll. You may be required to provide a letter from the Department stating that you do not require a change of name licence.

Before issuing you with a letter, we require the following original documents:

  • Long form birth certificate of the minor
  • Proof of identity of the parent/legal guardian, such as their original passport. (If the parent is making the application).

A change of name licence is not required if you wish to change your name upon marriage, or wish to revert back to your maiden name.

If you have come to Ireland under a false identity and have been granted permission to remain in Ireland you must apply to the office that granted you permission to remain in order to revert to your true identity.

Submit an application

If you require a change of name licence you must write to the change of name section requesting an application form.

Completed application forms, along with all required documents must be submitted by post to:

Change of Name Licence Section
Unit C – Domestic Residence and Permissions Division
Immigration Service Delivery
Department of Justice
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
DO2 XK70

If your application is successful

We will issue your change of name licence to you by registered post. In order for your name change to take legal effect, a deed poll must be executed.

Fee

If your application is successful there is a €13 fee for the issuance of your change of name licence.

Legislation

Change of name licences are issued under Section 8 and Section 9 of the Aliens Act, 1935.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact us through the dedicated Customer Service portal. You can register for an account or log in to your existing account.

This page was last updated on October 24, 2024