Singapore Passport Name Change Guide 2026 (Deed Poll, Marriage & Religion)

Complete guide to updating your name on a Singapore passport. Explains Deed Poll requirements, NRIC update sequence, marriage names, & S$70 new passport fee.

Statutory Overview & Passport Framework

Changing your legal name on a Singapore passport requires adhering to a strict statutory administrative sequence enforced by ICA under the National Registration Act and Passports Act (Cap. 220). Citizens who change their name via a legal Deed Poll, marriage certificate, or religious baptism must update their National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) first. Once the new NRIC is approved, the citizen must apply for a replacement passport to reflect the updated legal name. Carrying a passport with a name that differs from your airline ticket or foreign visa will cause border clearance rejection.

Key Passport Rules & Statutory Criteria

Mandatory NRIC Update Before Passport ApplicationUpdate NRIC First

Your legal name must be updated on your NRIC before ICA will issue a passport with the new name.

Deed Poll Execution by Singapore Advocate & SolicitorLegal Deed Poll

Name changes (adding/deleting English/Chinese names) require a formal Deed Poll drafted by a lawyer.

Married Name Inclusion (ROM Marriage Certificate)Marriage Name

Married women adding a spouse's surname must present their Registry of Marriages (ROM) certificate.

S$70 Replacement Passport Fee & 10-Year Validity ResetNew 10-Year Passport

Updating your name requires issuing a completely new passport (S$70 fee) with a fresh 10-year validity.

Qualification Rules & Travel Compliance

Must be a Singapore Citizen who has legally changed their name via Deed Poll, Marriage, or Court Order.

Deed Poll must be executed by a advocate and solicitor registered with the Law Society of Singapore.

Name must comply with ICA naming conventions (no offensive words, titles, or symbols).

Existing passport with old name will be cancelled upon issuance of the new passport.

ICA Application & Verification Checklist

ICA National Registration & Passports Act Statutory Guidelines

Original Legal Deed Poll Executed by Lawyer / ROM Marriage Certificate

Updated Singapore NRIC (Reflecting the new legal name)

New Passport Digital Photo & S$70 MyICA Online Payment

Step-by-Step ICA MyICA Application & Collection Workflow

Execute Legal Deed Poll with Lawyer or Obtain ROM Certificate

Engage a lawyer to draft and execute a legal Deed Poll for name change.

Apply to Update Singapore NRIC Name on MyICA

Submit NRIC replacement application online; upload Deed Poll / Marriage Certificate.

Receive Approval & Collect Updated NRIC Card

Collect new physical NRIC card at ICA Building or designated Post Office.

Apply for New Singapore Passport under Updated Name

Log into MyICA and submit passport application (S$70 fee) under the new name.

Collect New Passport & Update Foreign Visas / Airlines

Collect new 10-year passport reflecting your updated legal name.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

No. You must first update your legal name on your Singapore NRIC card with ICA. Once your NRIC update is approved, you can apply for a new passport reflecting the updated name.

A Deed Poll is a legal document drafted by a lawyer (advocate and solicitor) declaring that you have given up your old name and adopted a new name. It costs around S$100 to S$200 in Singapore.

The cost is S$70 for the online passport application, plus S$60 for the replacement NRIC fee, in addition to any legal fees paid for your Deed Poll.

Yes. When you change your name, ICA issues a brand new biometric passport with a full 10-year validity period.

You must update your foreign visas (such as US ESTA) and ensure your flight bookings exactly match the new name printed on your updated passport to prevent travel denial.

Yes. A married woman can add her husband's surname to her NRIC and passport by providing her Registry of Marriages (ROM) marriage certificate to ICA without needing a Deed Poll.