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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
Applying for a Deed Poll
How to apply
Services available and fees
Services for previous clients
Apply for a copy of your archived Deed Poll
Apply for a replacement Deed Poll
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
A unique gift
Changing your name on your passport
Obtaining a copy of your lost Deed Poll
Who to advise after changing your name
UK Deed Poll Service
Contact us
What our clients say about us
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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 until a few years ago when government departments, companies
and organisations began taking personal identity and security issues more
seriously. With few exceptions, you will now find you will be asked
for "documentary evidence" of your name change if you want the
name on your official documents and records changed.
Documentary evidence is a term used to describe a
document that will be accepted to effect a change of name. 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 or civil partnership.
- Death Certificate
Usually allows a widow's surname to be changed to the surname before
marriage or civil partnership.
- Adoptive Birth Certificate
Allows an adopted child's surname to be changed to the adopted family's surname.
To change your
name for any other reason than above, 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 historical records of the facts when they were issued.
These are: a birth certificate (see Can a birth certificate be changed
for exceptions), an adoptive birth certificate, a marriage 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 etc changed
because they were issued in your name .
Last updated: 1 January 2006
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