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Change your name (deed poll)
In England and Wales a deed poll is the legal document that proves a change of name. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own way of recording a name change for people born there.
Official links
Show links for:
| Official source | Applies to |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK: change your name by deed poll www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll | England, Wales |
| National Records of Scotland: change your name in Scotland www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/change-your-name-in-scotland/ | Scotland |
| nidirect: recording a change of name www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/recording-change-name | Northern Ireland |
Step by step
- Decide which type you need: an unenrolled deed poll you make yourself (16 or over) or an enrolled one put on public record by the High Court (18 or over).
- Ask your bank or other organisations which type they accept: some only accept an enrolled deed poll.
- For an unenrolled deed poll, use the official wording and sign it in front of 2 witnesses aged 18 or over.
- For an enrolled deed poll, apply online or by post, then sign the forms you are sent in front of witnesses and a solicitor and post them to the Deed Poll Office.
- Use the deed poll to update your passport, bank, GP and other records.
What you need
- For an enrolled deed poll: a copy of your birth certificate, valid passport or naturalisation certificate.
- If relevant: your marriage or civil partnership certificate and your partner's written consent, or your decree absolute, final order or partner's death certificate.
- Certified translations of any documents not in English or Welsh.
- For a child: the full birth certificate and the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility (or a court order).
Common mistakes
- Making a deed poll to take a spouse's surname: you do not need one, a marriage or civil partnership certificate is enough.
- Using a witness who lives with you or is a close relative: some organisations will not accept it.
- Following the England and Wales process if you were born in Scotland or Northern Ireland, where name changes are recorded differently.