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Change of Name Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I need to send my Deed Poll back to you after I have signed it?
A: No, once you have executed your Deed Poll, you can start using it immediately to get your documents and records changed. You only need to send your Deed Poll back to us if you wish to order certified copies at £1.00 each copy plus £1.00 postage & packing.
Q2: Do I need to get a solicitor or someone similar to witness me sign my Deed Poll?
A: No, the witness can be anyone so long as they are over the age of 18 and know you but are not related to you and are independent of you. Therefore, a neighbour, friend or work colleague would be a suitable witness.
Q3: Are our Deed Polls accepted by the UK Passport Service?
A: Yes, our Deed Polls are accepted by the UK Passport Service. If you wish to confirm this, you can telephone the Passport Service's advice line on 0870 521 0410. If you are told that our Deed Polls are not accepted, ask the person to check with their supervisor.
Q4: How much does it cost to change my name by Deed Poll?
A: Our usual charges for a Change of Name Deed Poll are £150.00 plus £26.25 VAT. However as a special price for web customers we are charging half that price. Just £75.00 plus £13.13 VAT.
Q5: Are there any other fees payable after I pay for my Deed Poll?
A: The only other expense you will have is the cost of getting your passport reissued in your new name. Current UK passport fees are available via their website or by calling their advice line on 0870 521 0410. You can obtain a passport application pack from most main post offices or complete an application form online on the Passport Service's website.
Q6: Can I get copies of my Deed Poll made so I don't need to keep sending out the original?
A: Copies of a Deed Poll can only be used in place of the original if they are "certified copies". This is where someone like ourselves signs their name and declares in writing on the copy Deed Poll that it is a true copy of the original. Unless you know someone personally who can certify a copy, you will probably be charged for this service. If you are applying to us for a Deed Poll, we offer a certified copy service. You can order certified copies on the application form.
Q7: I've lost my Deed Poll, where can I get a copy from?
A: Unless you had a certified copy made (see Q6 above) or had your Deed Poll entered in the enrolment books of the Central Office of the Supreme Court of Deeds at the Royal Courts of Justice in London (telephone 020-7947 6000), a copy of your Deed Poll does not exist - since you had the one and only signed original (if you paid less than about £100 for your Deed Poll, you would not have paid to have your Deed Poll enrolled). The only way to overcome this problem is to execute another Deed Poll.
Q8: I am trying to find a record of a relative's name change. Can you tell me if they have changed their name by Deed Poll?
A: Searching for someone's Deed Poll is like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. This is because in addition to ourselves, a Deed Poll can be prepared by any of the many thousands of solicitors throughout the UK. Even if you discovered who prepared your relative's Deed Poll, client confidentiality prevents the disclosing of any information about the Deed Poll. The only chance you have of locating a Deed Poll is if it was enrolled in the Close Rolls of Chancery or the later Enrolment Books of the Supreme Court of Judicature in London. However, very few Deed Polls were or are enrolled because it is voluntary and enrolling significantly adds to the time taken and the cost of changing your name. The Public Record Office gives advice about searching for evidence of a change of name, which you can view by clicking on this link.
Q9: My name was changed when I was a child and I now want to revert to my birth name. Do I need to do this by deed poll?
A: Yes you do - it doesn't matter what you want to change your name to, you still need to execute a Deed Poll. After you have reverted to your birth name by Deed Poll, if you are ever asked to prove your identity you can just provide your birth certificate and not your previous Deed Polls. However, if you are ever asked if you have been known by any other name, you must declare your previous names and produce your Deed Poll documents if required.
Q10: I was married to the father of my daughter when she was born but I do not know his whereabouts. Can I change my daughter's name without the father's consent?
A: Yes you can but only if you made reasonable attempts to trace the father's whereabouts. You need to read our page Can I change my children's names for information about how to do this.
Q11: Will my credit rating be affected if I change my name by Deed Poll?
A: Your credit rating will not be affected because when you complete any application form for credit or a loan etc, you will be asked on the application form if you have ever been known by a former name. By disclosing your former name, your credit history can be accessed.
Q12: I am changing my surname to that of my boyfriend's. Can I use the title Mrs?
A: Yes, but you must ensure that on any application forms, for example for credit, loans, insurance etc you make it clear your marital status is single.
Q13: I am divorcing my husband and wish to change my name by Deed Poll to my maiden name. Can I use the title Miss or Ms?
A: Yes, but you must ensure that on any application forms, for example for credit, loans, insurance etc you make it clear your marital status is married.
Q14: I am a male transsexual and wish to change my name by Deed Poll. Will I be able to use the title Miss or Ms?
A: Yes, but you must ensure that on any application forms, for example for credit, loans, insurance etc you make it clear your sex at birth was male. This is particularly important for insurances because you may get a cheaper rate if the insurer thinks you are female. In the event of a claim, you will find you will not get paid out if your sex at birth is established. Furthermore, it is a criminal offence to obtain a financial advantage if you deceive someone.
Q15: Can I have Lord or Sir as my first name?
A: Yes you can because there is no law in the United Kingdom that prevents you from calling yourself whatever you like. However, we will not accept an order for a Deed Poll that includes a first name that may result in others believing you have a conferred or inherited honour or title. Therefore, applications for a first name such as Sir, Lord, Lady, Baron, Baroness, Count, Earl, Countess, Duke, Duchess etc will not be accepted.
Q16: Do I need to inform everyone that my name has changed?
A: Yes you do. Two of the declarations you make on your Deed Poll are that you will entirely abandon the use of your old name and you will only use your new name in future. A list of government departments, companies and organisations that you need to notify is included in your Deed Poll pack.
Q17: Can I continue to use my former name at work because I have built up a good reputation over the years with my clients?
A: Yes, for business and social purposes you can continue to use your former name. However, you must tell your employer that your legal name has changed.
Q18: Will my new passport mention my old name?
A: No, you will receive a brand new passport without any mention or reference to your previous name.
Q19: I am a British citizen living abroad, can I apply for a Deed Poll?
A: Yes, you can use your Deed Poll to obtain a new British passport from your nearest British consular service and then use your new passport to get any documents and records changed in the country in which you live.
Q20: I have dual nationality. Will a Deed Poll get both passports I hold reissued in my new name?
A: Maybe. Our Deed Polls are guaranteed to get your British passport reissued in your new name. However, you need to investigate the procedure for getting your other passport changed by calling the passport section of the issuing country's embassy or high commission in London. We are aware that our Deed Polls have been successfully used in getting passports changed which have been issued by British Commonwealth countries.
Q21: I am not a British citizen but I live in the UK. Can I use a Deed Poll to change my name?
A: Yes, our Deed Polls will get your documents and records changed that have been issued or are held by UK government departments, companies and organisations. Our Deed Polls may get your passport changed but you will need to check with your country's embassy or high commission in London. We are aware that our Deed Polls have been successfully used in getting passports changed that have been issued by British Commonwealth countries.
Q22: What is the difference between a Statutory Declaration and a Deed Poll?
A: A Statutory Declaration is a similar document to a Deed Poll and will also get all your documents and records changed. However, a Statutory Declaration must be sworn before a commissioner of oaths. Therefore, not only does a Statutory Declaration probably work out more expensive than a Deed Poll from us but you must make an appointment and visit a solicitor's office to swear the document. Our Deed Poll service is more conveniently conducted either entirely online or over the telephone.
Please note, it is not possible to change your name on your marriage, adoption or decree absolute certificates. In certain cases, you may be able to get your birth certificate re-issued or amended. |
A woman's rights upon marriage
There is no legal requirement for a woman to change her surname when she gets married. It is her own personal choice, although by tradition it is usually the case.
Upon marriage, there are two options available to the woman only (a man has no right to change his name):
To continue using her maiden name, or
Change her surname to her husband's surname.
If a woman decides to take her husband's surname, the marriage certificate provides the necessary documentary evidence that she has changed her name. By sending her marriage certificate to all concerned, her documents and records will be changed to show her new surname.
However, should either or both of the couple decide to have a double barrelled or hyphenated name using both their surnames (or any other name change), a Deed Poll should be executed. Although some companies and organisations may change their records to show a double barrelled name upon presentation of the marriage certificate, many, for example the Passport Office and DVLA, will not. A Deed Poll will ensure that the name you choose is accepted by everyone without question.
If a couple decide to share a surname upon marriage that is different from the man's (a double barrelled surname for example), he should consider executing a Deed Poll before he gets married. Consequently, upon marriage, his wife can take his (new) surname. This saves the cost of the woman having to execute a Deed Poll after marriage. Furthermore, because the woman can get her passport changed to show her new surname before she get married, the couple can travel on their honeymoon in their new married surname. Note, you should only follow the above advice if you have sufficient time (at least four weeks) to get the documents you need for your honeymoon changed before you travel, for example, your passport, travel documents, driving licence, credit cards etc. You are strongly advised not to travel overseas with documents in different names.
Many women do not like the idea of totally abandoning their maiden name and would like a way of keeping a link to their family name without having a double barrelled surname. One solution is to have her maiden name as a middle name, which should be done by executing a Deed Poll if you require all your documents and records changed including your passport and driving license etc. |
A woman's rights upon divorce
Upon divorce, a woman can usually revert to her maiden name without the need for a Deed Poll because her decree absolute certificate and marriage certificate (which shows her maiden name) are usually accepted as documentary evidence that her name has changed. Upon presentation of these certificates most government departments, companies and organisations etc will change their records to show the new surname. If a decree absolute and marriage certificate are not accepted as documentary evidence, then a Deed Poll will be required since a Deed Poll will be accepted by everyone without question as documentary evidence of a change of name.
Many women wish to revert to their maiden name, or another name, during the period of separation before their decree absolute is issued. This can be done by executing a Deed Poll. If a woman also wishes to change her children's surname to her new surname, this can also be done by Deed Poll. However, the written consent of the father will be required but only if she was married to the father when the children were born (see our page Can I change my children's names? for further information). |
A man's rights upon marriage
A man has no right to change his name when he gets married since a marriage certificate is only accepted as documentary evidence of a change of surname for a woman if she elects to take her husband's surname after marriage. If a man wishes to have a hyphenated or double barrelled surname after marriage (or wishes to take his wife's maiden name or any other surname) he should execute a Deed Poll.
If a couple decide to share a surname upon marriage that is different from the man's (a double barrelled surname for example), he should consider executing a Deed Poll before he gets married. Consequently, upon marriage, his wife can take his (new) surname. This saves the cost of the woman having to execute a Deed Poll after marriage. Furthermore, because the woman can get her passport changed to show her new surname before she get married, the couple can travel on their honeymoon in their new married surname. Note, you should only follow the above advice if you have sufficient time (at least four weeks) to get the documents you need for your honeymoon changed before you travel, for example, your passport, travel documents, driving licence, credit cards etc. You are strongly advised not to travel overseas with documents in different names. |
A woman's rights upon being widowed
A woman can usually revert to her maiden name upon being widowed without the need for a Deed Poll. This is because her husband's death certificate and her marriage certificate (which shows her maiden name) are usually accepted as documentary evidence that her name has changed. Most government departments, companies and organisations etc will change their records to show the new surname upon presentation of these certificates.
If the death certificate and marriage certificate are not accepted as documentary evidence, then a Deed Poll will be required since a Deed Poll will be accepted by everyone without question as documentary evidence of a change of name.
If a woman wishes to be known by any other name, she can do this by changing her name by Deed Poll. |
Your rights upon adoption
A child who has been adopted does not need to execute a Deed Poll to change their surname since the adoption certificate provides the necessary documentary evidence that the child's name has changed to that of the adopted family's surname. All government departments, companies and organisations etc will change their records to show the new surname upon presentation of the adoption certificate. |
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Not found you answer you're looking for?
If you have any unanswered questions about changing your name by Deed Poll, please e-mail us at post@claim.co.uk Alternatively, you can call our free helpline on 07000 269 252. |
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