Deed polls are increasingly popular, with thousands of people choosing to change their name every year in the UK. Have you ever wondered if a deed poll could serve as proof of identification? It is a reasonable question and one we will answer in this blog.
Is A Deed Poll Official Identification?
Given that the deed poll paperwork bears your new name, you might believe it is a legitimate form of identification. The truth is not quite simple, and technically, a deed poll is not a form of ID at all, and it won’t be accepted in place of another valid form of ID such as a passport, birth certificate, or photo driving licence.
This is due to the fact that a deed poll does not prove your identity or your previous name—it merely certifies that you have changed it. Contrary to what some may believe, a deed poll is simply a legal document—not a certificate in and of itself.
Proving Your Identification
It takes more than simply producing a document with your name to prove your identity. Your date of birth should also be on the document you use, which is why a passport, driver’s licence, or birth certificate works best. A deed poll cannot be used as identification because it just contains the name change and no further information.
ID could be required in a number of different contexts, for example, if you are applying for a loan or creating a bank account. ID is typically needed if you are making a credit purchase. To comply with anti-money laundering regulations, you must provide proof of your name and address if you sell, purchase, or rent real estate (a utility bill works well).
Before submitting an application or beginning any kind of process, it is always best to find out which forms of identification are approved and whether you will need to provide them. It can save you a great deal of frustration and time.
In Conclusion
While a deed poll is an official document and may be requested to prove your name change, it does not serve as valid proof of identification. For this, you should use a valid passport or driving license.
Contact DeedPoll.com on 020 8017 2216.
