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The desire to change one’s name by deed poll is becoming more common as society is quickly evolving and changing. Over 14,000 people have opted to use a deed poll to change their name in the past ten years. This name change can be to a more traditional name like “James” or “Sophia”, or something slightly more abstract like “Lizard” or “Blu”.
The process through which a person can change their name is relatively straightforward. Still, it’s vital to understand each step to ensure proper completion.
If you have any questions, please visit our small legal services page or get in touch with one of our solicitors directly on 020 3007 5000.
people used a deed poll in the last 10 years
What is a deed poll?
A deed poll is a legal document that proves a change of name. Therefore, to change your name on official documents, for example, a driving licence or passport, you will need a deed poll. The document allows you to change your forename, surname or middle names. In many cases, people use a deed poll to either add or remove names or change spellings.
When you change your name, you will need to evidence the name change for the new name to be accepted by government departments. People commonly evidence their name change by enrolling the deed poll.
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How do you change your name via deed poll?
When it comes to changing your name by deed poll, there are two options which are:
1. Enrolled deed poll.
If you’re 18 or over, you can enrol your deed poll. While there is no legal requirement to enrol it, there are several benefits, which include:
- Your new name will be put on public record.
- An original copy of the deed poll will be kept by a government body.
- Acts as evidence of your name change to present to government departments, for example, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
- All organisations will accept the deed poll.
Our solicitors will always advise you to get your deed poll officially enrolled.
2. Unenrolled deed poll.
If you’re 16 or over, you can change your name through an unenrolled deed poll. However, an unenrolled deed poll won’t be put on public record, and although U.K. government organisations accept an unenrolled deed poll, not all organisations will.
How can I ensure my deed poll application is valid?
There are numerous steps you must get through to ensure that your deed poll application is valid. You must:
1. Prove citizenship. In the U.K., the deed poll for your new name must include proof that you’re a British or Commonwealth citizen. You can prove your citizenship by producing one of the following documents:
- Birth certificate.
- Certificate of citizenship by registration.
- Any other document that proves your citizenship.
2. Specify marital status. Your deed poll must specify your marital status, describing yourself as single, married, divorced, widowed, a civil partner or a former civil partner. Suppose you’re no longer a civil partner, it’s essential to specify whether this partnership ended on death or dissolution.
In a circumstance where you’re married or in a civil partnership, your poll must include your spouse’s or civil partner’s consent. Consent can be evidenced by:
- Notice of your intention to apply for enrolment of the deed poll has been given to your spouse or civil partner; and
- Consent to the change of name has been received from your spouse or civil partner.
3. Get a witnessing. Finally, you will need to include a statutory declaration in the deed poll. The declaration needs to meet specific requirements. The declaration must be made by a Commonwealth citizen who is a householder in the U.K. and state that they’re a qualifying citizen and that they are a U.K. householder.
Furthermore, the declarant must also declare the length of time they have known the applicant for the name change. The declarant must also identify the applicant as the person referred to in the attached documents.
Remember...
The applicant must complete a deed poll with a signature of both their old and new name.
Who can witness a deed poll?
When you sign to change your name, you will need a witness who meets specific requirements. These requirements include:
- Aged 18 years or more and is resident in the U.K.
- Someone who knows who you are.
- Not a relative, partner, or someone you live with.
- Has sound mental capacity. The witness must have the ability to make decisions for themselves, without being affected by any impairment or disturbance of the mind, whether permanent or temporary.
On top of this, the witness must be physically present when you sign to change your name.
Enquiring about a deed poll?
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Why change your name?
People change their name for a whole array of reasons. Some of the most common reasons for people changing their names include:
- After Divorce – In the event of a divorce it’s common for someone to want to revert back to their name before marriage.
- Because You Don’t Like It – If you hate your name, never went by your first name or are tired of having your name mispronounced or misspelt, you can legally change your name to something that better suits you.
- Child’s surname – Mothers may put their surname on the child’s birth certificate if they are not yet married to the father and want to change both their names when they get married.
- Discrimination – Some people believe that certain names hurt them when applying for jobs or undertaking similar tasks. While it is illegal to discriminate based on national origin, some employers might still pass over an applicant with a difficult to pronounce “ethnic” name. Even if they do not worry about discrimination, some people find their given names are too difficult to pronounce or spell.
- Personal Pronouns – When someone is transgender, they likely grew up with a name they do not feel suits them. Their parents likely gave them a name that is typically associated with the opposite gender.
Time and costs.
Changing your name can take approximately 3 to 8 weeks. However, this time depends on the time taken to notify the relevant record-holders with the relevant documents.
In terms of pricing, our fees for deed polls are £200 plus VAT for adults and £250 plus VAT for children.
You will also need to pay an additional fee of £42.44. This fee is the enrollment fee to the Royal Courts of Justice to ensure your new name is on public record.
Visit our deed poll page for more information on our services and prices.
How can Britton and Time Solicitors help?
Employing a solicitor to assist you with changing your name will ensure it’s enrolled correctly. This enrollment will act as undeniable proof of its execution and ensure the name change is publicly registered. Therefore, all you need to do is sign along the dotted line!
If you have any enquiries, please email us via [email protected] or contact one of our solicitors directly on 020 3007 5500.
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