When you change your name, you gain a brand new identity on paper — but your old identity doesn’t disappear.
You’ll still need certain old-name documents for legal, financial, and administrative reasons, sometimes years after your name change.

This guide explains exactly what to keep, why you need it, and how long you should hold onto each document.

1. Your Birth Certificate

Keep it for life.

Your birth certificate:

• never becomes invalid
• will always show your original name
• is still used for identification checks (even after a name change)

You will almost certainly need it again if:

• you apply for a passport
• you register a child’s birth
• you apply for certain visas
• you deal with inheritance or probate
• you get married abroad

Never throw it away — keep it permanently.

2. Your Old Passport (in your previous name)

Keep for at least 10 years — ideally forever.

An old passport remains a vital proof of your identity history.

You may need your previous passport if:

• a bank or solicitor needs to verify your identity history
• you apply for a mortgage
• you apply for citizenship in another country
• you need proof of previous travel entries
• you need to resolve a visa discrepancy

Even when expired, a passport is a gold standard identity document.

For safety: store it indefinitely.

3. Marriage Certificate or Civil Partnership Certificate

Keep forever.

Even if you:

• divorce
• revert to a maiden name
• change your name by deed poll

Your marriage/civil partnership certificate is still:

• proof of your previous legal name
• proof of marital status
• required for government, immigration, and legal processes
• needed when proving the link between surnames

Never discard it.

4. Decree Absolute (if you divorced)

Keep forever.

You may need it for:

• reverting to a previous surname
• proving the end of a marriage
• future marriages
• legal or immigration paperwork

HMCTS does not permanently hold copies, so replacing it later is expensive and slow.

5. Previous Driving Licence (Old Name)

Keep for 2–5 years.

Once DVLA issues you a new licence in your updated name, your old licence is not needed for everyday use.

But keep it for a few years in case:

• a bank or solicitor wants to verify old name → new name
• your new licence is lost or stolen
• you need proof of identity during a legal check

After 5 years, you can securely destroy it.

6. Old Bank Cards, Credit Cards & Statements

Keep for at least 6–7 years (HMRC guideline for financial records).

Even if the name is outdated, keep:

• old statements
• old credit/debit cards
• loan agreements
• mortgage papers

Reasons:

• HMRC inquiries
• disputes
• credit history checks
• proof of past addresses
• historical financial data

After 6–7 years, you can shred them.

7. Old Utility Bills, Phone Bills & Address Records

Keep for 12–24 months only.

These documents are rarely needed once fully updated, but keep a short trail in case:

• you need to prove address continuity
• you are verifying identity with organisations still holding your old records

After 2 years max, it’s safe to discard them.

8. Old Name on Medical, NHS & Appointment Letters

Keep until all records are fully updated.

Once the NHS updates your records system-wide:

• you can safely throw away old-name paperwork
• your GP and hospital will automatically store your record history

This usually takes a few weeks.

9. Emails, Online Accounts & Digital Records

Keep indefinitely — don’t delete.

Old login details, old-name accounts, and email inboxes often contain:

• receipts
• tax confirmations
• appointment confirmations
• identity verification emails
• old contracts or subscriptions

Do not delete:

• your old email address
• online accounts with your former name

Even if unused, they serve as long-term identity history.

10. Your Deed Poll Itself (Certified Copies Included)

Keep at least one copy forever.

Even after all your documents are updated, you may still need it years later for:

• mortgage applications
• background checks
• pensions
• passport renewals
• dealing with old accounts that still have your previous name
• proving identity to international organisations

Store at least one certified copy securely.

Quick Summary: How Long to Keep Each Document

Conclusion: When in Doubt, Keep It

After a name change, you will rarely regret keeping your old name documents — but you may regret throwing them away.

A simple rule:

Keep everything related to your identity forever, unless it’s a utility bill or bank card.

It takes very little space, but can save huge headaches later.