Why is it called a Deed Poll?

Time Saving Tip: The quickest and easiest way to change your name is to Apply For Your Deed Poll Online.

A ‘deed’ is a signed and sealed legal agreement in writing, which enforces a right or entitlement.

The word ‘Poll’ is an Archaic legal word used to refer to documents which had straight edges (polled). This method made it possible to distinguish between a deed which affected one person from a deed concerning more than one person. In the past, a Deed was written out more than once on a piece of paper and then unevenly torn or ‘indented’ down the middle so each person concerned had a deed with corresponding tears, thus preventing forgery.

A Deed Poll is a legal document binding only a single person or several people acting together to express an interest or intention, rather than a promise. Therefore, the Deed only concerned one person and had straight edges, said to have been polled, which explains why the term ‘Deed Poll’ is now used.

Apply online to change your name by Deed Poll or call 0800 983 0143 for more information.

Site Content:

About Deed Polls	Changing Your Name	Reasons for a Name Change
What is a Deed Poll	Choosing a New Name	Reasons for a Change of Name
Deed of Change of Name	Documentary Evidence	Name Change upon Marriage
Change of Name Deed	Notifying Organisations	Name Change upon Separation
Changing your Name by Usage	Change a child's name	Name Change upon Divorce
Why is it Called a Deed Poll	Parental Responsibility	Name Change for Widows
Who Can Apply for a Deed Poll	Tracing a Name Change	Transsexuals
Legalising a Deed Poll	Updating your Passport	Adding a Middle Name
Name Change by Statutory Declaration	Changing your Birth Certificate	Adoption
Name Change in Scotland	Famous Name Changes	Name Change for Civil Partners