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
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What our clients say about us
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Here are the most popular reasons for people changing their name by Deed Poll in the UK:

	Upon separation, a woman wishes to be known by her maiden name before her divorce is finalised (see note 1 below).
	An unmarried mother whose child was registered with the father's surname wishes her child to have her surname.
	People who simply don't like their name.
	Upon marriage or a civil partnership, the couple choose to have a double-barrelled or hyphenated surname (see note 2 below).
	Upon marriage, a bride who adopts her husband's surname chooses to have her maiden name as a middle name.
	Upon marriage, a bride who already has children from a former relationship chooses to have the surname of her children changed to her new married surname (see note 3 below).
	People who have been using a different name to their birth name who want to formalise their change of name so that all their official documents and records show their new name.
	One or both partners in a gay or lesbian relationship wish to share the same surname.
	Transsexuals who wish to change their name after a gender change operation.
	Entertainers who want to formally use their stage name.

So long as you are not changing your name for fraudulent purposes, it doesn't matter what the reason is - it's your right to be known by whatever name you wish (subject to certain restrictions that are explained on our page Are there any restrictions on names?).

Note 1
Upon receipt of a decree absolute certificate, a woman can usually revert to her maiden name. A Deed Poll is usually not required as the decree absolute certificate and her marriage certificate (which shows her maiden name) provides the documentary evidence that she has changed her name.
Note 2
Upon marriage, the bride has the option of keeping or maiden name or taking her husband's surname. If she only wishes to take her husband's surname, a Deed Poll is not required. The marriage certificate provides the documentary evidence that she has changed her surname.
Note 3
If the mother was married when her children were born, written permission of the father is required. If the father's permission is not given, a court order must be obtained.