Wrong name on your British citizenship certificate? How to get it corrected or reissued
If your British citizenship certificate shows your name wrongly — no first name, your full name recorded as the surname, the wrong spelling, or names in the wrong order — you can apply to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to have it corrected and a replacement issued. You apply online using the replacement certificate service, send in your original certificate, and if the mistake was UKVI's fault you do not pay a fee. If the error came from the details you supplied, the correction costs £456.
This is one of the most common certificate problems, especially for applicants whose names don't fit the standard "given name + surname" boxes — mononyms, patronymics, or names that were merged or split incorrectly when the certificate was printed.
- Apply via GOV.UK's "Get a replacement citizenship certificate" service
- No fee if the error was made by UKVI; £456 if the mistake came from your application details
- You send your original (incorrect) certificate to UKVI
- You can usually keep your other documents (like your passport) while it's processed
- Only certificates issued after 30 September 1986 can be replaced this way
Whose mistake was it? That decides the fee
The key question UKVI asks is who caused the error.
- UKVI's error — the details on your application were correct, but the certificate was printed wrongly (for example, your first name was dropped and everything appears as your surname). In this case UKVI corrects and reissues the certificate free of charge.
- Your error — the certificate matches what was entered on your application, but that information was itself wrong or in the wrong format. You can still apply, but the correction costs £456.
UKVI decides which applies after reviewing your case, and will write to you to tell you whether a payment is needed. You don't have to guess in advance — but you should keep a copy of your original application so you can show what you actually submitted.
Name-format problems (no first name, full name shown as the surname, names in the wrong order) are very often a printing or data-entry issue at UKVI's end, which means there may be no fee. It's worth applying and letting UKVI assess fault rather than assuming you'll be charged.
How to apply for a correction
You apply through the GOV.UK service "Get a replacement citizenship certificate". The steps are:
- Complete the online form on the GOV.UK nationality services site, selecting that you need to correct a mistake.
- Explain the error clearly — state exactly what is wrong (for example, "first name omitted; full name recorded as surname") and what the certificate should say.
- Send your original certificate to UKVI so the incorrect one can be replaced.
- Provide evidence of the correct name — a passport, birth certificate, or other official document showing your name in the correct format.
- Wait for UKVI's decision on fault and any fee, then receive your corrected certificate.
You'll generally be able to keep your passport and other documents while the application is processed, so a correction shouldn't strand you without ID.
Don't try to fix the problem by altering the certificate yourself, or by ignoring it. A citizenship certificate is used to apply for your first British passport and to prove your status — the name on it should match your passport application exactly, or the passport can be delayed or refused.
How long a replacement takes
GOV.UK does not publish a guaranteed timeframe for replacement or correction applications, and processing can vary. Many applicants report receiving a corrected certificate within a few weeks, but you should treat any specific figure as an estimate, not a promise. If your case is urgent — for example you have a passport application or travel pending — explain that in your application and keep evidence of when you applied.
If you're moving from your certificate to your first passport, our guide on the citizenship ceremony to first passport timeline walks through how the documents connect and why the name must match.
Certificates issued before October 1986
UKVI cannot reissue certificates issued on or before 30 September 1986. For older naturalisation or registration records you order certified copies through The National Archives instead, not the replacement service.
A note on name formats
British certificates use a "forename(s)" and "surname" structure. If your name doesn't split neatly that way, errors are common. When you apply for a correction, be precise about how your name should be recorded and back it up with documents that show that exact format. If your case is complex — for example a disputed name change, a legal name discrepancy, or the certificate underpins other applications — consider getting advice from a regulated OISC adviser or immigration solicitor before you apply.
For the wider documentation picture, see what documents you need to apply for British citizenship and the full British citizenship timeline. And if you're still working through the test stage, you can use our free Life in the UK practice.