About Deed Polls
A Deed Poll is a legal document rather than a certificate. When used for a change of name, it records your decision to stop using your former name and to use your new name instead.
The document can then be used as evidence of your change of name when asking organisations to update the records they hold about you.
A legal document
A name-change Deed Poll concerns the person whose name is being changed.
For an adult Deed Poll, the document is signed and dated by the person changing their name and their signature is witnessed.
Once correctly completed, the Deed Poll provides documentary evidence of the change from the former name to the new name.
What does a Deed Poll say?
A Deed Poll for a change of name normally records three important commitments relating to your name.
Stop using your former name
You declare that you are abandoning the use of your previous name.
Use your new name
You declare that you intend to use your new name from that point forward.
Be known by your new name
You ask other people and organisations to recognise and address you using your new name.
What is the purpose of a Deed Poll?
The main purpose of a name-change Deed Poll is to provide documentary evidence that connects your former name with your new name.
You can then present the document to organisations that hold records about you and ask them to update those records.
What can you change?
A Deed Poll can be used to record changes to your first name, middle names or surname.
This can include changing the spelling of a name, adding or removing names, changing the order of your names or adopting a different surname.
How does the process work?
Apply for your Deed Poll
Provide the information required to prepare your name-change document.
Check your information
Make sure that your former name, new name and other personal information are shown correctly.
Sign and witness the document
Follow the instructions supplied with your Deed Poll and sign the document in the presence of an appropriate independent witness.
Update your records
You can then contact organisations that hold records in your former name and ask them to update those records.
Using your Deed Poll
A Deed Poll can be presented as evidence of your name change when contacting organisations such as HM Passport Office, DVLA, banks, employers, pension providers, utility companies and medical organisations.
Each organisation can have its own procedures and document requirements, so you should always follow the instructions provided by the organisation you are contacting.
Unenrolled Deed Polls
Deed Poll Direct provides documents for an unenrolled change of name.
An unenrolled Deed Poll does not involve placing your change of name on the public court record.
Enrolling a Deed Poll is a separate court process and is not a service provided by Deed Poll Direct.
Ready to change your name?
If you are ready to prepare your Deed Poll, you can begin your application online.
Apply For A Deed Poll