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
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
Changing your name on your passport
Who to advise after changing your name

UK Deed Poll Service
Contact us
What our clients say about us
What the media says about us
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions and your rights
Home page

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
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
Changing your name on your passport
Who to advise after changing your name

UK Deed Poll Service
Contact us
What our clients say about us
What the media says about us
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions and your rights
Home page

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
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
Changing your name on your passport
Who to advise after changing your name

UK Deed Poll Service
Contact us
What our clients say about us
What the media says about us
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions and your rights
Home page

Q1: Do I need to send my Deed Poll back to you after I have signed it?
A: No, once you have executed your Deed Poll, you can start using it immediately to get your documents and records changed. You only need to send your Deed Poll back to us if you have ordered our legal copy and archive service.

Q2: Do I need to get a solicitor or someone similar to witness me sign my Deed Poll?
A: No, the witness can be anyone so long as they are over the age of 18 and know you and are independent of you i.e. not a relative or partner or someone living at the same address. Therefore, a friend, neighbour or work colleague would be a suitable witness.

Q3: Are your Deed Polls accepted by the UK Identity and Passport Service?
A: Yes, our Deed Polls are accepted. In fact, if you call the Passport Office they will give you our details.  If you wish to confirm this, you can telephone the Passport Service's advice line on 0870 521 0410. If you are told that our Deed Polls are not accepted, ask the person to check with their supervisor.

Q4: How much does it cost to change my name by Deed Poll? I cannot find the price on your website.
A: You can see our full list of our available services and fees by clicking on this link.

Q5: Will my credit rating be affected if I change my name by Deed Poll?
A: Your credit rating will not be affected because when you complete any application form for credit or a loan etc, you will be asked on the application form if you have ever been known by a former name. By disclosing your former name, your credit history can be accessed.  Furthermore, when you notify your bank of your change of name, your bank will notify the credit reference agencies.

Q6: Are there any other fees payable after I pay for my Deed Poll?
A: The only other expense you will incur is the cost of getting your passport reissued in your new name. Current UK passport fees are available via their website or by calling their advice line on 0870 521 0410. You can obtain a passport application pack from most main post offices or complete an application form online on the Passport Service's website.

Q7: I bought a cheap Deed Poll from the Internet and am having problems getting it accepted.  If I order a Deed Poll from you, will I have any problems with it?
A: No, you will not experience any problems with our Deed Polls. We are the main issuer of Deed Polls in the UK and our Deed Polls are accepted by everyone. Our Deed Polls are printed on special UK Deed Poll Service watermarked paper and carry our official seal so there is no question about its authenticity. Unfortunately, we issue many Deed Polls to people who have wasted their money buying from cheap Internet sites.

Q8: Can I get copies of my Deed Poll made so I don't need to keep sending out the original?
A: Copies of a Deed Poll can only be used in place of the original if they are "legal copies". This is where someone like ourselves or a doctor, teacher, solicitor, or someone with similar standing, certifies that a copy of a Deed Poll is a true copy of the original. Unless you know someone personally who can certify a copy, you will probably be charged for this service. If you are applying to us for a Deed Poll, we offer a legal copy and archive service. You can order legal copies and our archive service on the application form.

Q9: I've lost my Deed Poll, where can I get a copy from?
A: If you ordered your Deed Poll direct from us and you subscribed to our legal copy and archive service (available since May 2000), we can provide you with a legal (certified) copy of your original Deed Poll from our archives.  To order, please call our Helpline (see top of this page for our number and hours).  If you did not order our legal copy and archive service, we do not have a copy of your Deed Poll.  All you can do is order a replacement Deed Poll (see three paragraphs below).

If you had your Deed Poll prepared elsewhere (at a solicitors for example), a copy of your Deed Poll will only be available if you had your Deed Poll entered in the Enrolment Books of the Supreme Court of Judicature, which is located within the Royal Courts of Justice (Strand, London, WC2A 2LL. Tel: 020 7947 6221).  Enrolled Deed Polls are held for about five years at the Royal Courts of Justice and then moved to the National Archives (Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. Tel: 020 8876 3444).

Please note, if you paid less than about £100 for your Deed Poll, you would not have paid to have your Deed Poll enrolled. In which case, no copy of your Deed Poll will exist and all you can do to overcome your problem is to order another Deed Poll to act as a replacement.  Even if your Deed Poll was enrolled, the expense of obtaining a copy - you have to physically attend and search for your Deed Poll - usually means it is much cheaper to order a replacement.  We issue many Deed Polls every day to people who have lost their original - this is the accepted practice.

To order a replacement Deed Poll, please click on this link. When you enter your name details on the application form, you should enter your 'former name' in the current name fields and your 'current name' in the new name fields. The idea is to replicate the name change shown on your lost Deed Poll document.  Please note, if you have changed your name since changing your name by Deed Poll (the one you have lost), please e-mail us with any relevant information and the chronological sequence of all your name changes since birth.  We need to know the (approximate) date of your name changes and how your name was changed e.g. by usage, marriage, Statutory Declaration, Deed Poll etc.  We will then advise you how to apply.

Q10: I am trying to find a record of a relative's name change. Can you tell me if they have changed their name by Deed Poll?
A: Searching for someone's Deed Poll is like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. This is because there is no central register of all name changes by Deed Poll.  Furthermore, in addition to ourselves, a Deed Poll can be prepared by any of the many thousands of solicitors throughout England and Wales. Even if you discovered who prepared your relative's Deed Poll, client confidentiality prevents the disclosing of any information about the Deed Poll.

The only chance you have of locating a Deed Poll is if it was an 'enrolled' Deed Poll.  This is a type of Deed Poll that can be enrolled (registered) with the government through the Court Service.  Upon enrolment, a Deed Poll becomes a public record and becomes available for public inspection - in the same way the public can inspect past birth, marriage and death records.  However, very few Deed Polls are enrolled (only about 1 in every 200) because it is a voluntary process and enrolling significantly adds to the time taken and the cost of changing your name - hence 99.5 per cent of people change their name by using an 'unenrolled' Deed Poll (the type we and most solicitors issue).

Deed Polls that have been enrolled during the past five years are held at the Royal Courts of Justice (Strand, London, WC2A 2LL. Tel: 020 7947 6221). Before then, and going back to 1851, they can be found at the National Archives (Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. Tel: 020 8876 3444).  However, you need to personally visit the National Archives to search the records (except for Deed Polls enrolled between 1965 and 1983, which are electronically stored and can be searched by telephoning the National Archives.

For further information and advice about searching for evidence of a change of name, please visit the National Archives website. You may also wish to visit the Family Records website, which aims to help you research your family's history by locating UK government records.

Q11: My name was changed when I was a child and I now want to revert to my birth name. Do I need to do this by Deed Poll?
A: Yes you do. Whether you want to change your name to a former name or a new name entirely, you will be required to provide "documentary evidence" of the change. A Deed Poll provides you with the necessary documentary evidence of your name change. After you have reverted to your birth name by Deed Poll, if you are ever asked to prove your identity you can produce your birth certificate alone. However, if you are ever asked if you have been known by any other name, you must declare your previous names and produce your Deed Poll documents if required.

Q12: I want to change my name now but I have a holiday booked in my current name. Can I keep my passport in my old name and change it when I get back?
A: For security reasons, we strongly advise that you do not travel overseas with documents in different names e.g. your passport in one name and your travel documents, credit cards and driving licence etc in a different name. If you cannot get your travel documents changed to your new name, we suggest you change you name after your holiday.  If you do go ahead and change your name before you travel, only get those documents and records changed that you will not be taking with you.

Q13: I was born and live in Scotland and have been told that I cannot change my name by Deed Poll because the name change procedure is different in Scotland. Is this correct?
A: You have been wrongly advised. Although a Deed Poll is an English legal document, it is recognised by all UK government departments, companies and organisations. Therefore, you will not experience any problems getting all your documents and records changed to your new name (including your passport, driving licence, medical records etc). We issue hundreds of Deed Polls to Scottish residents every year and we have never had any problems reported by clients when getting their documents and records changed.

Q14: I was married to the father of my daughter when she was born but I do not know his whereabouts. Can I change my daughter's name without the father's consent?
A: It may be possible to change your daughter's name by Deed Poll if you have made reasonable attempts to locate and contact the father. Please read section 5 of our page Can I change my children's names for information about how to proceed.

Q15: I am separated and in the process of divorcing my husband and I now wish to change my name by Deed Poll to my maiden name. Can I also change my title to Miss or Ms?
A: Yes you can change your title to Miss or Ms when you change your name. When you complete our application form, you will see a section where you can tell us what new title you want so we can incorporate a declaration on your Deed Poll that changes your title.  Please note, if you change your title, you must ensure that on any application forms, for example for credit, loans, insurance etc, you make it clear your marital status is married (until your divorce is finalised).

Q16: I am changing my surname to that of my boyfriend's. Can I use the title Mrs?
A: Yes you can change your title to Mrs when you change your name. When you complete our application form, you will see a section where you can tell us what new title you want so we can incorporate a declaration on your Deed Poll that changes your title.  Please note, if you change your title, you must ensure that on any application forms, for example for credit, loans, insurance etc, you make it clear your marital status is single.

Q17: I am a male-to-female transsexual and wish to change my name by Deed Poll. Will I be able to use the title Miss or Ms?
A: Yes you can change your title to Miss or Ms when you change your name. When you complete our application form, you will see a section where you can tell us what new title you want so we can incorporate a declaration on your Deed Poll that changes your title. Please note, if you change your title to Miss or Ms, you must ensure that on any application forms, for example for credit, loans, insurance etc you make it clear your sex at birth was male. This is particularly important for insurances because you may get a cheaper rate if the insurer thinks you were born a female. In the event of a claim, you will find you will not get paid out if your sex at birth is established. Furthermore, it is a criminal offence to obtain a financial advantage if you deceive someone.

Q18: Can I have Lord or Sir as my first name?
A: Although there is no law in the United Kingdom that prevents you from calling yourself by whatever title you like, we will not accept an order for a Deed Poll that includes a first name that may result in others believing you have a conferred or inherited honour, title or rank.  This is because of the obvious deception such a first name will cause to the general public. Therefore, applications for a new first name such as Sir, Lord, Lady, Baron, Baroness, Count, Earl, Countess, Duke, Duchess, Colonel etc will not be accepted.

Q19: Do I need to inform everyone that my name has changed?
A: Yes you do. Two of the declarations you make on your Deed Poll are that you will entirely abandon the use of your old name and you will only use your new name in future. A list of government departments, companies and organisations that you need to notify is included in your Deed Poll pack.

Q20: Can I get my educational certificates changed after I have changed my name?
A: You will not be able to get documents such as your educational certificates changed because these were correctly issued in the right name. However, this is not a problem because if you have to produce your educational certificates, say at a job interview, you simply produce your Deed Poll as well. It is the same for married women who take their husband's surname - they have to produce their marriage certificate as documentary evidence of the link to their educational certificates. In your situation, your Deed Poll document will act as documentary evidence of the link to your former name on your certificates.

Q21: Will my new passport and driving licence mention my old name?
A: No, you will receive a brand new passport and driving licence without any mention or reference to your old name.

Q22: I want to change my name but I want to continue to use my former name at work because I have built up a good reputation over the years with my clients. Can I do this?
A: Yes, with the permission of your employer you can continue to use your former name. Companies are usually happy to allow you to use your former name if they believe there are commercial benefits from doing so.

Q23: I am a British citizen living abroad, can I apply for a Deed Poll?
A: Yes, you can use your Deed Poll to obtain a new British passport from your nearest British consular office and then use your new passport to get any documents and records changed in the country in which you live. We do suggest however that you check with your nearest British consular office before you make your application to ensure there are no special requirements that must be met before they will issue you with a new passport. For example, the British embassy in Tokyo require Deed Polls to be witnessed by a solicitor.

Q24: I have dual nationality. Will a Deed Poll get both passports I hold reissued in my new name?
A: Maybe. Our Deed Polls are guaranteed to get your British passport reissued in your new name. However, you need to investigate the procedure for getting your other passport changed by calling the passport section of the issuing country's embassy or high commission in London. We are aware that our Deed Polls have been successfully used in getting passports changed which have been issued by British Commonwealth countries.

Q25: I am not a British citizen but I live in the UK. Can I use a Deed Poll to change my name?
A: Yes, our Deed Polls will get your documents and records changed that have been issued or are held by UK government departments, companies and organisations. Our Deed Polls may get your passport changed but you will need to check with your country's embassy or high commission in London. We are aware that our Deed Polls have been successfully used in getting passports changed that have been issued by British Commonwealth countries.

Q26: I am getting married abroad and have been told that my Deed Poll and birth certificate must be legalised. What is legalising and what do I need to do?
A: Legalisation is a process whereby the UK government confirms the authenticity of legal documents and certificates issued in the UK. Legalisation enables foreign countries (or their embassies in London) to accept documents such as UK birth certificates and our Deed Polls because their authenticity has been confirmed by the UK government.  Legalisation overcomes the problem of foreign countries not knowing whether a Deed Poll issued by us is genuine. The legalisation of documents is handled by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London.

When you receive your Deed Poll, you should not sign it immediately but take it to a solicitor who must witness you sign and date your Deed Poll document.  You should expect to pay between £5 and £10 for this but do ask first.  If you have already signed your Deed Poll and had it witnessed by someone other than a solicitor, you need to take your Deed Poll to a solicitor for authenticating.  The solicitor must write (anywhere) on your Deed Poll document "I have no reason to doubt the authenticity of this document."  It is important that the solicitor signs and prints his or her full name under this statement because the FCO will check the solicitor is on the Law Society's register.  You should expect to pay between £5 and £10 for this service but do ask first.  You then need to take or send your Deed Poll to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London to have it legalised.

For further information about legalisation, please click on this link to visit the FCO's website. The legalisation fee is £27 per document (as at April 2007).

Q27: What is the difference between a Statutory Declaration and a Deed Poll?
A: A Statutory Declaration is a similar document to a Deed Poll but because a Statutory Declaration is a much less known method of changing a name, there are sometimes problems with its acceptability. We do issue Deed Polls to people who have been unable to get their Statutory Declaration accepted by everyone. Furthermore, a Statutory Declaration must be sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths or a Justice of the Peace. Therefore, not only can a Statutory Declaration work out more expensive than a Deed Poll prepared by us but you must make an appointment and visit a solicitor's office to swear the document. Our Deed Poll service is more conveniently conducted either entirely online, by post or over the telephone.

Not found the answer you're looking for?
If you have any unanswered questions about changing your name by Deed Poll, please e-mail us. Alternatively, you can call our Freephone Helpline on 0800 448 8484 (Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm - except public holidays).

Last updated: 30 May 2007