Frequently Asked Questions - Deed Poll

 A Deed Poll is a legally binding document that serves as official evidence of a name change. Also known as a "Deed of Change of Name," it requires the signatures of two witnesses to be valid. Within the document, you formally declare that you have abandoned your former name, adopted your new name for all purposes, and require all organisations and individuals to address you as such.

Yes, a child's name can be changed by Deed Poll, but this requires the consent of every person who holds parental responsibility for them.

• If you are the only person with parental responsibility, you can make the decision on your own.

• If you share parental responsibility with the other parent, you both must agree on the name change.

• If the other parent won't consent or you can't find them, you'll need to get a specific court order before you can change the child's name.

You can find more information on our child Deed Poll page.

Your Deed Poll must be witnessed by an independent person aged 18 or over who knows you but is not a relative, partner, or member of your household.

While British citizens in the UK typically do not need a solicitor to act as a witness (except in Jersey), the requirements can differ for others.

British citizens living overseas may need a lawyer or notary public and should seek local legal advice.

Similarly, non-British citizens residing in the UK should consult their embassy or a legal advisor to ensure they meet the correct witness criteria for their nationality.

There is no official register for name changes in the UK, so you don't need to register your Deed Poll anywhere.

"Enrolling" your Deed Poll is an optional and rare process where the document is lodged with the Supreme Court and published in public records. This process is generally unnecessary, offering no additional legal benefit. 

The Deed Polls we provide are just as legally effective as an enrolled Deed Poll for all standard purposes, such as updating your passport, driving licence, and bank accounts.

When choosing a new name, your intention must be genuine and not for fraudulent purposes. Avoid names that:

• Are offensive, vulgar, or promote illegal acts.
• Are extremely long or impossible to pronounce.
• Contain numbers, symbols, or diacritical marks (accents).
• Are protected by copyright or trademark law.

You can also change to any genuine title on your Deed Poll.

Once your Deed Poll has been signed, dated and witnessed, you should then inform all organisations which hold your personal details about your change of name, so they can amend their records and/or re-issue documents with your new name if necessary. Please click here for the full list.