Title restrictions

If you are changing your name, we can also include a change of title on your Deed Poll – as long as it is a genuine and recognised British title. Please read the following paragraphs for more information about title changes and any restrictions to changing your title:

3.1 Recognised British social titles (i.e. Mr, Mrs, etc)

When you change your name you can change your title to any recognised British social title, for example from ‘Mrs’ to ‘Miss, ‘Miss’ to ‘Mrs’ or from ‘Miss’ to ‘Ms’. Incidentally, it is perfectly acceptable for a single woman to use the title ‘Mrs’. Transsexuals are also allowed to change their title e.g. from ‘Mr’ to ‘Miss’, ‘Miss’ to ‘Mr’, etc. 

We don’t need to see any documentary evidence of your entitlement to use a recognised social title.

3.1.1  About 'Mx' titles

In January 2012 we introduced an additional title: ‘Mx’ (pronounced Mix) for people who would rather not identify themselves as either male or female - or who feel that a gender specific title such as ‘Mr’ or ‘Miss’ is inappropriate or unsuitable.

Please note, we are unable to guarantee that all government departments and other organisations that hold your personal records will recognise this new title. However we believe that many will – and, if they don’t at the moment, they will in time.

Initially the problem will be that record holders’ computer systems can’t accept ‘Mx’ as a title. But, as more and more people ask for their title to be changed to ‘Mx’, a tipping point will be reached when record holders will reprogramme their systems to accommodate ‘Mx’ as a title.

3.2  Academic titles

If, when you change your name by Deed Poll, you also wish to change your title to an academic title, we will need to see documentary evidence of your entitlement to use this title.

For example if you want to change your title to ‘Dr’, you will need to mail or fax us a copy of your Ph.D certificate. Or, if you’re a medical doctor or a dentist, you will need to email your GMC or GDC reference number to evidence@legaldeedpoll.org.uk. Please email your reference number after you have applied for your Deed Poll.

Note: To change your title to an academic title, the academic award must have been conferred by a UK academic institution or body approved either by Royal Charter, Act of Parliament or the Privy Council.

3.3  Nobility titles and honours

If, when you change your name by Deed Poll, you also want to change your title to a title of nobility or honour e.g. ‘Lord’, ‘Lady’ or ‘Sir’, the title must relate to an honour granted by the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. You must also be entitled to use this title in accordance with the honour's traditional style of usage.

Note: We only recognise genuine British titles of nobility. This means that if you’ve purchased a title such as ‘Sir’, ‘Lord’, ‘Laird’ or ‘Lady’, you won’t be able to change your title by Deed Poll simply because you can’t purchase a genuine British title of nobility.

3.4  Religious titles

If, when you change your name by Deed Poll, you also need to change your title to a religious title, the title must be one that is used by a generally recognised religion (with a pre-ordination process) that is practiced in the United Kingdom. Please click here to find out which religions are recognised when it comes to changing your title to a religious title.

To enable us to include your change of title on your Deed Poll documentation, we will need to see documentary evidence of your entitlement to use this title - for example, your ordination certificate or a letter appointing you as clergy in your religion. You can send evidence to evidence@legaldeedpoll.org.uk.

3.5  If you only want to change your title

You don’t need to apply for a Deed Poll or follow any formal procedure if you simply wish to change your title. Just start using the new title and notify all your official record holders that you have made the change simply by writing to them.

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Sections in this article
Click on the links below to view each section of this article.

1.         Name restrictions
2.         Characters we can print on our Deed Poll documents
3.         Title restrictions
4.         Fun names
5.         Copyright and trade mark protection of names
6.         Applying for a passport in a fun or trademarked name
7.         Limits on the number of characters in a name

This page was last checked today by Amanda Dawson, Senior Deed Poll Officer.