UK Deed Poll Service - General name change information

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Information and advice about changing your name by Deed Poll

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About Deed Polls
What is a Deed Poll?
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What is the purpose of a Deed Poll?
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Can I change my child's name?
Are there any restrictions on names?
Is a Deed Poll registered anywhere?
Can a birth certificate be changed?
Why do people change their name?
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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
Adding a middle name
Advice for transsexuals
An alternative to marriage
A unique gift
Changing your name on your passport
Obtaining a copy of your lost Deed Poll
Who to advise after changing your name

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General name change information
Introduction

It is a common misconception that it is possible to change your name simply by using your new name. There is much written on the Internet and elsewhere saying there is no need to follow any formal procedure if you wish to change your name. However, this advice is no longer correct. Certainly, changing your name "by usage" was relatively easy before government departments, companies and organisations began taking personal identity and security issues more seriously following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the recent increase in identity theft. With few exceptions, you will now find you will be asked for "documentary evidence" of your name change if you want the name that appears on your official documents and records changed to a different name.

Documentary evidence is a term used to describe a document that will allow you to get the name on your documents and records changed to a different name with record holders such as government departments, companies and organisations. Such documents are:

Marriage Certificate
Allows a women to change her surname to her husband's surname (and vice versa).
Civil Partnership Certificate
Allows one partner's surname to be changed to the other partner's surname.
Decree Absolute Certificate
Usually allows a divorcee's surname to be changed to the surname before marriage.
Dissolution Order
Usually allows a person's surname to be changed to the surname before entering into a civil partnership.
Death Certificate
Usually allows a widow's surname to be changed to the surname before marriage or civil partnership.
Adoption Certificate
Allows an adopted child's surname to be changed to the adopted parents' surname.

To change your name for any other reason, you need a document that provides evidence that you have changed your name. A Deed Poll is such a document and it will enable you get all your official documents and records changed to your new name, including your passport, driving licence, bank account, medical records etc.

It should be noted that there are certain documents that you can never get changed because they are "matter of fact" documents i.e. they are historical records of the facts when issued. Such documents are a birth certificate (see Can a birth certificate be changed for exceptions), marriage certificate, adoption certificate, civil partnership certificate and a decree absolute certificate. Also, it is very unlikely that you will be able to get documents such as educational certificates changed because they show the correct name when they were issued.

Last updated: 27 April 2011

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Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of the information provided on this website, UK Deed Poll Service will not be held liable or responsible for any loss, damage or other inconvenience caused as a result of any inaccuracy or error within the pages of this website.