Change your name by deed poll
An unenrolled deed poll
is the simplest way
to officially change your name in the UK.
The easiest way to change your name officially in the UK , is using an unenrolled deed poll (aka change of name deed).
There is no legal requirement to enrol a deed poll at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Use a simple unenrolled deed poll to change your name on your driving license and passport.
Complete an easy online form.
Download your deed.
FAQ
A deed poll is a legal document that changes your name.
If you are separated but you do not yet have a final order of divorce, you will need a deed poll to send to the DVLA with an application form to change your name.
If you have a final order of divorce, you can send this to the DVLA with an application form to change your name.
Whether you have a final order of divorce or not, you will need a deed poll to send to the passport office with an application form to change your name.
An unenrolled deed poll is the simplest way to change your name in the UK.
Once it is signed and witnessed it can be used as proof of your new name.
It is not necessary to register or enrol the deed.
A change of name deed is another name for an unenrolled deed poll.
It is a longer and more complicated process than creating an unenrolled deed poll.
It requires you to publish your intention to change your name in the London Gazette.
You also need to obtain the written consent of your spouse/civil partner.
A person who has known you for at least 10 years, who is also a British citizen and either owns or rents a property in their own name must also sign a statutory declaration in support of your application.
There is a fee payable to the court and further fees are payable on making a statutory declaration before a solicitor.
We can refer you to a solicitor who can witness your statutory declaration.
There is a separate fee for this service.
There is no need to enrol a change of name deed or deed poll for it to be legally valid and effective. The majority of people do not enrol their change of name deed.
The Royal Court of Justice nevertheless offers an enrolment service for British and Commonwealth citizens looking for an additional level of formality to record their change of name.
No. It is not necessary to enrol a deed poll to change your name on your UK passport.
Banks, law firms and insurance companies are all required to carry out comprehensive anti-money laundering ID checks on customers before carrying out transactions on your behalf.
If your official documents do not match, this will be flagged during an ID check and may cause your transaction to be delayed or fail.
You must be permanently resident in the UK to change your name by deed poll.
Overseas residents cannot use this service.
A registered offender means a registered:
sex offender
violent offender
terrorist offender
Registered offenders must tell the police if they change their names.
They must go to their local prescribed police station to do this.
Informal name change
Immediate use
No formalities
Not accepted by government departments
Enrolled deed poll
Advertised in London Gazette
Public record of change
Approximate cost £65 – £240
Find Out More
Find out more about changing your name by deed poll on the
.gov website.
Links in footer below.