A deed poll serves as an official paper trail linking your old identity to your new one. If you have decided to change your name, the next step is understanding how a deed poll works. Here are the three key steps.
Making the Declaration
The document itself is a simple legal text stating that you are abandoning your old name, adopting a new one, and intend to use the new name exclusively. In the UK, you can either draft an unenrolled deed poll yourself or apply for an enrolled deed poll through the Royal Courts of Justice. For the vast majority of people, an unenrolled deed poll is perfectly sufficient. You simply print the required legal wording on high-quality paper. If you need a professionally prepared Deed Poll, our service provides legally recognised documents accepted by UK organisations.
Signing and Witnessing
A deed poll isn’t legally valid until it is properly executed. You must sign and date the document with both your old and new signatures. This must be done in front of an independent witness. Your witness must watch you sign the document, and then add their own signature, name, address, and occupation. To keep things strictly above board, your witness cannot be a relative, partner, or anyone living at the same address as you.
Who to Inform
Signing the paper is actually the easy part; the real work begins with the admin. A deed poll does not automatically update your records. It is simply the evidence you present to show that your name has changed. You will need to send the original document (or certified copies) to every organisation that holds your data. Most people start with the heavy hitters:
- Passport Office
- The DVLA
- Their bank, HMRC, and their workplace or school.
Once those key organisations accept the document and update their systems, your new name is officially locked into your daily life.
Visit our Deed Poll Blog for more practical guidance on changing your name and updating your official records.
For help changing your name via Deed Poll, contact DeedPoll.com on 020 8017 2216.
