Deed Poll Instruction Video
Christine Hamilton presented our helpful instruction video to demonstrate how to officially change your, or your child's, legal name by Deed Poll.
Click Here to watch the video (3mins).
Frequently Asked Deed Poll Questions.
You can submit a question at the bottom of this page should you find that your particular question has not been answered here, or you can call the National Helpline free on 0800 612 68 24 or call local rate from a mobile 0845 299 85 87. Telephone Helpline Advisors are available 24hrs a day - 7days a week.
Please click the following links to navigate this page:
- How do I change my name?
- How do I change my child's name?
- What is a Deed Poll?
- What do I do with a Deed Poll and can I order additional copies?
- Why change your name by Deed Poll?
- Can I change my name to anything I want?
- Do I need a Deed Poll to change my surname once I'm married?
- Can I use a Deed Poll to change back to my maiden name?
- Do I need a Solicitor?
- Can I change my birth certificate?
- How do I change the name on my Passport?
- When will I receive my Deed Poll?
- What do I get with my Deed Poll?
- Ask a question
How do I change my name?
You need to obtain a Deed Poll to provide organizations with evidence that you have changed your name.
You can use your Deed Poll to obtain a new passport in your new name, and start notifying other organizations such as the DVLA, HM Revenue & Customs, your bank, utility providers etc.
The name change process is simple and straightforward, moreover, it is estimated that more than 100,000 people change their name by Deed Poll every year. If you consider the 60 million people currently residing in the UK, 100,000 is a seemingly small percentage of the population.
Click the following links to complete the online application form:
Adults: Adult Application Form
Children: Child Application Form
What is a Deed Poll?
A Deed Poll, or Deed of Change of Name, is an English legal document that can be used to notify people, organizations and companies that you have officially changed your name. Although it is an English legal document, our Deed Polls can be used in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as documentary evidence of a name change.
The primary use for a Deed Poll is to change the name on your Passport - you can then use your Passport to change your name with other organizations without them needing to see your Deed Poll. However, some other organizations do insist on seeing an original copy of your Deed Poll.
You do not need to go to a solicitor to obtain a Deed Poll and you do not need to have your Deed Poll witnessed by a Solicitor, moreover, there is no Government department that issues Deed Poll documentation in the United Kingdom. Once you have signed, dated and witnessed your Deed Poll the deed will be "executed" and will then empower you to instruct organizations to use your new name in correspondence, documents etc.
There is no official Deed Poll issuer; any Solicitor or reputable Deed Poll Specialist proficient in drafting Deed Polls can supply a valid Deed Poll. Deed Polls issued by The Legal Deed Poll Service are accepted by all UK Government departments and private organizations in the United Kingdom.
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What do I do with a Deed Poll?
You will need to send your Deed Poll to various organizations including the Passport Office, HM Revenue and Customs and the DVLA. You will also be required to notify your bank, insurance company and utilities companies. A full list of the organizations that you should consider notifying can be found here.
Copies of your Deed Poll
Most Government institutions will insist on an original Deed Poll or a legal copy. You can request additional copies during the application process.
Why change your name by Deed Poll?
There are a number of reasons why people choose to change their or their child's name by Deed Poll:
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Starting a new life;
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Changing a surname prior to their wedding or civil ceremony;
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Changing back to their maiden name before receiving the Decree Absolute;
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They may not like their forename, middle name(s) or surname;
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Religious conversion;
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Gender reassignment;
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Adoption or fostering;
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Substituting a child's father's surname to the mother's surname;
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Actors and artistes officially changing to their stage name;
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To change mistakes on birth certificates or any other official documentation.
Can I change my name to anything I want?
You are legally entitled to call yourself whatever you wish, but it is illegal to change your name for dishonest, deceitful or fraudulent reasons (for example to evade arrest or the avoidance of debt).
You can change your first name, your middle name or your surname. You can add names, remove names and rearrange your names. You can double-barrel your name.
The Legal Deed Poll Service recently assisted a 19yr old music student, George Garrett, to change his name by Deed Poll to 'Captain Fantastic, Faster than Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Wolverine, Hulk and the Flash Combined'. A Spokesman from the Guinness World Records confirmed that it could be the longest name in the world!
The Legal Deed Poll Service does not permit applications for names that can be construed as being blasphemous, vulgar or offensive in anyway.
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Do I need a Deed Poll to change my surname once I'm married?
No, your Marriage Certificate will suffice in order to evidence a change of name. However, you will need a Deed Poll if you wish to double-barrel your surnames.
If you wish to revert back your name in the event of a divorce or for any other reason, you will need to use a Deed Poll.
Can I use a Deed Poll to change back to my maiden name?
If you are divorced, the Passport Service may accept a Decree Absolute to change the name on your Passport. However, a number of people have contacted us in the past because the Passport Service has requested a Deed Poll.
If you want to change back to your maiden name while you are married or before you have received your Decree Absolute, you will need to use a Deed Poll.
Do I need a Solicitor?
No, you do not need a Solicitor.
Can I change my birth certificate?
No.
A Birth Certificate can only normally be changed within 12 months of the birth being registered, and there are some restrictions to this rule. You should contact the General Registrars Office for more details.
How do I change the name on my Passport?
If you are changing back to your maiden name and you have your decree absolute you may not need a Deed Poll; simply send your birth certificate and decree absolute to the Identity & Passport Service (IPS) with a completed Passport Application form, your current or previous passport and your payment.
If you are planning to divorce, or in the process of getting divorced, and wish to revert to your maiden name before you receive your decree absolute, you will need to obtain a Deed Poll.
If you are already married and you wish to take your husband's surname you will not need a Deed Poll (unless you are hyphenating your surnames); simply send your marriage certificate to the Identity & Passport Service (IPS) with a completed Passport Application form, your current or previous passport and your payment.
You may also change your passport name up to 3 months before you are married - but there are circumstances in which this may not be suitable.
If you are changing your name for any other reason, you will need a Deed Poll.
You will need to purchase your Deed Poll and then send an original signed copy to the Identity & Passport Service (IPS) together with:
- your completed, signed Passport Application form;
- two identical passport photos;
- evidence of any past name changes (eg. earlier Deed Polls, wedding certificate, decree absolute, etc);
- your current or previous passport;
- payment
Further information
The HM Identity and Passport Service website has more information on changing the name on your passport: http://www.ips.gov.uk
When will I receive my Deed Poll?
eCopy
The Legal Deed Poll Service will send you a copy of your Deed Poll within four hours of submitting your application. If your application is submitted after 5pm, your eCopy will be sent before 12noon the following day.
Original Deed Poll
The original Deed Poll will be dispatched via Royal Mail within 24hrs.
If you need a faster delivery, you can order a next day delivery, guaranteed to arrive before 9am or before 1pm the following day. You can only order an additional method of delivery after you have submitted and made payment for the initial Deed Poll application.
This page was last updated on: 23rd May 2010
What is a Deed Poll? Is it worth it? Accepted by? Am I eligible? Apply today!