There are many different reasons someone could decide to alter their name, ranging from humiliating surnames to personal issues. However, before changing your name, there are a few things you should know. Here, we look at some things you should know before changing your name.
Picking a New Name Can Be Challenging
Once you try to settle on a name, you may realise it isn’t as easy as you thought. Some names may be too similar to people you know or attached to something negative. You may love a first name, but it doesn’t match your surname or vice versa. You will need to spend a lot of time and thought to ensure you pick the right name.
It is A Relatively Easy Process
In Britain, changing your name is easier than opening a bank account. Go online, fill out an online form, and pay for it within ten to fifteen minutes. After that, all you have to do is wait for your paperwork to be processed and delivered. Your name will be changed once you sign the documents in front of a witness when they arrive and return them.
There are Limitations
Punctuation other than hyphens, apostrophes, digits, and other symbols is not allowed in your new name. A first name cannot contain more than 250 characters, and a surname name cannot have more than 50 characters, which is still a relatively long name.
You are also prohibited from using some names for legal and religious reasons. Things deemed blasphemous, such as Jesus, Saint, Satan, or Lucifer, are not permitted. It is illegal to alter it to represent a business or organisation, to spread political views, incite racial hatred, or anything similar. These regulations are merely common sense measures to ensure you don’t offend or get away with breaking the law.
There are More Places to Inform Than You Think
The number of locations where you’ll need to change your name is astounding. It’s amazing how many records and accounts we have to our name. It will surprise you how frequently you must go through this process, even while getting a few extra copies of your deed poll is easy if you need to send it somewhere or present it to someone to change the name. Most places don’t charge you to change your name, but waiting periods and the time you have to go without a bank card or driver’s licence are what truly irritate people.
More People Have Changed Their Names Than You Might Think
It is surprising how many people have already altered their names. These numbers rise year on year for several reasons. Transgender and non-binary people are rightly more accepted now, and this has led to many people feeling the confidence to change their name to one they identify with. There is also a rise in couples both double-barrelling their surnames after marriage. Freedom to express yourself is encouraged increasingly, which will likely lead to a further increase in the number of deed polls used in the UK annually.
Contact DeedPoll.com on 020 8017 2216.
