What is a Deed Poll?

A Deed Poll is a legal document (not a certificate). Although it is a form of legal contract, it is different from other legal contracts in that it concerns only a single individual and requires that person's signature in the presence of a witness.

By Deed Poll you can add names, remove names, rearrange your names and/or change the spelling of your name. You can choose to change your name to almost anything although there are some name restrictions, for example you cannot change your name by Deed Poll to a name which could be construed as being offensive or blasphemous.

Deed Polls can be used to change an adults or a child's name. However, before changing a child's name, you may need to obtain consent from any other person with parental responsibility.

A Deed Poll works in the same way as a marriage certificate does for married women who take their husbands surname. She will write (enclosing a copy of her marriage certificate) to all of the government departments, companies and organisations that hold records about her, requesting them to change their records to show her new married name.

You need to follow the same process when changing your name by Deed Poll i.e. write to all of the organisations that hold records about you (enclosing a copy of your Deed Poll document), requesting them to change your records to show your new legal name.

You should note that the law in the UK does not usually allow you to change your name on your birth certificate or educational certificates. However, if you are asked to produce your birth certificate or educational certificates in the future, you must present your Deed Poll at the same time, to prove that you have changed your name from the name printed on the certificate. In some circumstances, you may be able to change the name on a child's birth certificate.

                                                                                                                                             Next >>

......................................................

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction to changing your name by Deed Poll
• What is a Deed Poll?
• What is a Deed of Change of Name?
  
• When signing a Deed Poll, what am I committing myself to?
• Do I need to get a solicitor to witness me sign my Deed Poll?
• Will my Deed Poll have a stamp or official seal on it?
  

Print options

• Print full guide now
  

Email options

• Email your question(s) to a Deed Poll Officer
• Tell a friend about this page
• Send me an email alert when this page changes
  

This page was last checked today by Miranda O'Hara, Senior Deed Poll Officer.