A Deed poll is a legal document which binds an individual to an action. Commonly, it Is used to change a name, formally known as a ‘Deed of Change of Name’. You can change any part of your name, add, or remove names and hyphens, or change spelling.

With a Deed Poll you are committing to:

 

• Renounce and abandon your former name

• Use new name(s) at all times

• Require everybody to address them only by their new name(s).

 

There are 2 ways to get a deed poll. You can either:

 

• Make an ‘unenrolled’ deed poll.

• Apply for an ‘enrolled’ deed poll.

 

Ask the organisation you are dealing with (for example a bank) which type of deed poll they will accept as proof of your new name.

 

Making an ‘unenrolled’ deed poll:

 

In order to make this it is a requirement to be 16 or over.

Solicitors at Lawsmith Solicitors can make this deed poll for you.

 

Apply for an ‘enrolled’ deed poll:

 

‘Enrolling’ a deed poll means that you are ensuring that your new name will be made on public record.

 

You must apply to the Royal Courts of Justice to get an ‘enrolled’ deed poll using the deed poll process.

 

Please note: you can only enrol your own name change if you are 18 or over. The process is different to change the name of a child under the age of 18.

 

Changing a child’s name:

 

You can use the services provided by the solicitors of Lawsmith as we have successfully dealt with matters to change a child’s name by making an unenrolled deed poll.

 

Or you can apply for an enrolled deed poll from the Royal Courts of Justice.

 

If you choose an enrolled deed poll, this means that your child’s new name will usually appear on public record in The Gazette.

Some organisations will only accept an enrolled deed poll as proof of a name change. Ask the organisation you are dealing with which type of deed poll they will need.

 

When applying for a deed poll you will need the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility and a court order. However, before seeking a court order you must try to reach an agreement.

 

Marriage and civil partnership

 

You do not need a deed poll to take your spouse’s or civil partner’s surname. Send a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate to record-holders, such as benefits offices. Your documents will be updated for free.

 

If you divorce or end your civil partnership:

 

You may be able to go back to your original name by showing record-holders either your:

 

• Decree absolute and marriage certificate

• Civil partnership certificate and final order

 

Some organisations will not change your name back without a deed poll.

 

If you are a registered offender:

 

You must tell the police you have changed your name within 3 days if you are registered as a:

 

• Sex offender

• Violent offender

• Terrorist offender

 

To do so, you must go to your local prescribed police station to do this. You will be told where this is on release.

 

It is a criminal offence if you do not tell the police that you have changed your name

 

Procedure:

 

Two witnesses are needed to sign your deed poll and they both must be 18 or over.

Some organisations will not accept a deed poll if a witness lives at the same address or is a close relative.

 

Solicitors at Lawsmith Solicitors will be able to make the deed poll for you with the specific wording and relevant information.

 

You can put your new name on public record by ‘enrolling’ it at the Royal Courts of Justice if you are 18 or over. Payment should be made to HMCTS.

 

Costs:

 

An enrolled deed poll will cost £42.44 to apply and you will need to send forms and documents to the King’s Bench Division. It costs £215.00 to apply for a court order.

 

Getting help:

 

Solicitors at Lawsmith Solicitors have extensive experience in handling matters relating to Deed Poll matters. To discuss about this with one of our Solicitors, please contact us on 01279 312185 or submit our enquiry form given below.