About Deed Polls
What is a Deed Poll?
Why is it called a Deed Poll?
What is the purpose of a Deed Poll?
Who can apply for a Deed Poll?
Can I change my children's names?
Are there any restrictions on names?
Is a Deed Poll registered anywhere?
Can a birth certificate be changed?
Why do people change their name?
Answers to other FAQs

Changing your name by Deed Poll
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Services for previous clients
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General name change information
Introduction
A woman's rights upon marriage
A man's rights upon marriage
A couple's rights upon a civil partnership
A woman's rights upon separation
A woman's rights upon divorce
A woman's rights upon being widowed
A child's rights upon adoption
Changing your name on your passport
Who to advise after changing your name

UK Deed Poll Service
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Although there are no laws in the United Kingdom relating to unsuitable names, there are restrictions we impose on what you can change your name to.

Name restrictions
We will not accept an order for a Deed Poll for a name that:

• is impossible to pronounce,
• includes numbers or symbols,
• includes punctuation marks - although you can have a hyphen to link forenames or surnames (for example, if you want a double-barrelled surname) and an apostrophe in the case of surnames like O'Brien.
• we consider vulgar, offensive, blasphemous or unsuitable,
• may result in others believing you have a conferred or inherited honour, title or rank, for example, a change of first name to Sir, Lord, Laird, Lady, Prince, Princess, Baron, Baroness, Count, Countess, General, Colonel etc.,
• does not include at least one forename and one surname.

Other than the above restrictions, you can change your forenames, surname (or both), add names, remove names or rearrange your existing names. You can change your name at any time and for any reason provided it is not for deceptive or fraudulent purposes or for the avoidance of an obligation.

Title restrictions
If you are changing your name, we can also include on your Deed Poll a change of title e.g. Mrs to Miss.  If you require a title other than Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms, you will need to send to us documentary evidence of your entitlement to use your desired title (if you require Dr as your new title and you are a medical doctor, you only need to advise us of your GMC reference number on your application form).

Please note, if you have purchased a title purporting to allow you to use a title such as Sir, Lord, Laird or Lady, we will not recognise such a title because you cannot purchase a genuine British title.  If we do not accept your desired title, your Deed Poll will be issued showing your name change only.

Fun names
Some people like the idea of having what we call a fun name. We have issued Deed Polls for fun names such as Jellyfish McSaveloy, Toasted T Cake, Nineteen Sixty-Eight, Hong Kong Phooey, Daddy Fantastic, One-One-Eight Taxi, Ting A Ling, Huggy Bear, Donald Duck, Jojo Magicspacemonkey and James Bond.  To visit our media page to see newspaper articles about our most unusual and bizarre name changes during the past years, please click on this link (opens new window).

If you are considering a fun name and belong to a professional body, you should check to ensure there will be no problems registering your new name with them.  The Law Society would not be happy with a registered solicitor being call Mickey Mouse!

We reserve the right to refuse an application for a fun name from a person who is under 18 years of age.

Copyright and trade mark protection of names
There is no copyright or trade mark protection for people's names. Therefore, if you want to call yourself Elton John for everyday use, you can. However, you cannot use your new name if it results in passing-off or deception. For example, if you changed your name to Elton John and you published music and/or lyrics in that name, you will probably find yourself subject to trade mark infringement legal action by the artist Elton John on the grounds that you are passing yourself off as him.

Last updated: 29 December 2007