Previous names

[fofr]

What

Give guidance on asking for previous names

Why

Asking for a previous name is a pattern used when a service needs to match someone with a record

Previous names are asked for in:

• Register to vote
• Register for a National Professional Qualification (NPQ)
• Find a lost teacher reference number (TRN)

There is no guidance on asking for previous names in the Asking for names section on the design system.

Asking for a previous name can be sensitive.

Anything else

On Find a lost TRN we recently iterated our Previous name question to be more inclusive, it closely matches what Register to vote does:
https://tra-digital-design-history.herokuapp.com/find-a-lost-trn/previous-name/

We:

• made it clear that you do not have to answer the question
• explained what the information would be used for
• explained why giving the information would be helpful
• gave guidance for users who have multiple previous names