Before you begin: The information below is general guidance. Individual government departments, banks and other organisations may have their own requirements when updating your records.
Do I need to send my Deed Poll back after I sign it?
No. Once you have correctly signed, dated and witnessed your Deed Poll, you keep the original document.
You can then use it as evidence of your change of name when asking organisations to update their records.
Do I need a solicitor to witness my Deed Poll?
For a standard unenrolled Deed Poll, you will not normally need a solicitor simply to witness your signature.
Your witness should be an independent adult who can witness you signing the document.
Full signing and witnessing instructions will be supplied with your Deed Poll documentation.
Can I use my Deed Poll to change my passport?
A Deed Poll can be used as evidence of a change of name when applying to update a UK passport.
HM Passport Office may require other supporting evidence depending on your circumstances, so you should always check its current requirements before applying.
Can I use my Deed Poll to change my driving licence?
A correctly completed Deed Poll can be used as evidence when asking DVLA to update your name.
DVLA's current application requirements should be checked before sending your documentation.
Will every organisation accept the same documents?
No. Different organisations can have different procedures and evidence requirements.
Some organisations may simply ask to see your Deed Poll, while others may ask for additional identification or evidence showing that you are using your new name.
Can I use a photocopy of my Deed Poll?
Some organisations will ask to see the original document or an appropriately certified copy rather than an ordinary photocopy.
You should check the requirements of each organisation before sending your documentation.
Is there a central register of all Deed Polls?
There is no single public register containing every change of name made using an unenrolled Deed Poll.
An enrolled Deed Poll is different because enrolment involves a court process and creates a public record. Deed Poll Direct does not provide enrolled Deed Polls.
Can I change back to a previous or birth name?
Yes. A Deed Poll can be used where you wish to change your name to a completely new name or return to a name you previously used.
The document provides evidence linking your previous name with the name you intend to use.
Can I change my first name, middle name or surname?
A Deed Poll can be used for many different types of name change.
This can include:
- Changing your first name
- Changing your surname
- Adding or removing a middle name
- Changing the spelling of a name
- Changing the order of your names
Can I change my title at the same time?
Common social titles such as Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms are generally separate from your legal name.
Changing a title does not itself change your marital status, sex or any other legal status.
Can I use a title such as Lord or Sir as part of my name?
Deed Poll Direct may refuse an application where a proposed name or title could reasonably mislead people into believing that you hold an honour, rank or title to which you are not entitled.
We may also refuse applications involving names that appear fraudulent, unlawful or deliberately deceptive.
Do I have to tell organisations about my new name?
After changing your name, you will usually need to contact organisations that hold important records about you.
These may include:
- HM Passport Office
- DVLA
- Banks and financial institutions
- Your employer
- Pension providers
- Utility companies
- GP surgery and other medical organisations
Can my old educational certificates be changed?
Educational certificates are often treated as historical records and may remain in the name you used when the qualification was awarded.
Where necessary, your Deed Poll can help demonstrate the connection between the name on the certificate and your current name.
Can I continue using another name professionally?
Some people continue to use a professional, business, stage or pen name after changing their personal name.
Whether that is appropriate will depend on the circumstances and the records involved. Your legal, tax, banking and identification records may still need to reflect your legal name.
Can someone who is not a British citizen use a Deed Poll?
If you are not a British citizen, the position can depend on your nationality and the rules of the country that issued your passport.
Before changing your name, you should check with your embassy or consulate whether your passport can be changed and what evidence they require.
This is particularly important if your passport and UK records could otherwise end up showing different names.
What if I have dual nationality?
If you hold passports from more than one country, you should check the requirements of both passport-issuing authorities before changing your name.
Different countries can have different procedures for recognising a change of name.
Can I travel using my old name after changing my name?
Your travel booking should normally match the name shown on the passport you are using for the journey.
If you have travel booked before changing your passport, you should check the requirements of the airline, travel provider and relevant border authorities before changing documents or making travel arrangements.
Does changing my name change my birth certificate?
A Deed Poll does not normally replace or amend your birth certificate simply because you later change your name.
A birth certificate is generally a historical record of the information recorded when the birth was registered.
Is a Deed Poll a certificate?
No. A Deed Poll is a legal document rather than a government-issued certificate.
It records your decision to stop using your former name and use your new name instead.
Ready to apply?
Applying for your Deed Poll documentation is straightforward and can be completed online.
Apply For A Deed Poll