Are Online Deed Polls Legal?
If you've seen advertisements for online deed polls and wondered whether they're legitimate, you're not alone. It's a sensible question to ask when you're making an important legal decision about your name.
The short answer is yes, online deed polls are completely legal and valid. But there's an important distinction to understand: the application process is online, but the deed poll itself is a physical document.
What "Online Deed Poll" Actually Means
When you see "online deed polls" advertised, this refers to the application process, not the document itself.
The process works like this: you complete an application online, providing your current name and your new name. The service prepares your deed poll document with the correct legal wording and posts it to your address. You then sign this physical document in front of witnesses.
The deed poll document itself is always on paper. It needs to be a physical document because you must sign it in front of witnesses, and organisations like the Passport Office and DVLA need to see the original when updating their records.
Why Online Applications Are Legal
There's nothing in UK law that requires you to use a specific method to obtain a deed poll. The legal requirements focus on the document itself and how it's executed, not how you obtained it.
A valid deed poll must contain specific legal wording, be signed by you in your old and new names, and be witnessed by two independent adults. As long as these requirements are met, it doesn't matter whether you ordered the document online from a specialist deed poll provider or obtained it through a solicitor.
Online deed poll services like Deedly ensure your document meets all legal requirements. We prepare the deed poll with the correct wording, which you then sign and witness according to the rules. The result is exactly the same as if you'd obtained it through any other method.
Will Organisations Accept It?
This is often the real concern behind the question. If you order a deed poll online, will the Passport Office accept it? What about your bank or the DVLA?
The answer is yes. UK law requires all organisations to accept properly executed deed polls as proof of a name change. This includes government departments, banks, employers, and any other institution.
The Passport Office, DVLA, and HMRC all accept deed polls obtained through online services. So do all UK banks and building societies. Your employer will accept it. So will your GP surgery, utility companies, and everyone else who holds records in your name.
We've helped over 5,000 people change their name using deed polls ordered through our online service. Every one of those deed polls has been accepted by UK organisations. We're so confident in this that we offer a money-back guarantee if your deed poll isn't accepted.
Why Some People Are Cautious
The hesitation about online deed polls usually comes from a few common misconceptions.
First, anything legal and important feels like it should require official paperwork or a formal process. The idea that you can handle it online seems too simple. But simplicity doesn't mean it's not legitimate, it just means the process has been made more accessible.
Second, some people assume you need to apply with the government or your local council to change your name. This isn't the case. Deed polls are private documents, and there's no government service for name changes. You don't register your new name with any official body.
Third, not all online services are the same. Some may not provide documents with the correct legal wording or clear guidance on the execution process. This has created uncertainty about whether online deed polls can be trusted. The key is choosing a reputable provider that understands the legal requirements.
What Makes a Deed Poll Valid
Whether you get your deed poll online or through another method, the legal requirements are the same.
Your deed poll must state your old name and your new name clearly. It must declare your intention to abandon your old name and use only your new name. You must sign it twice, once in your old name and once in your new name. Two independent witnesses must watch you sign it and add their own signatures.
When these elements are present, your deed poll is legally valid. The method you used to obtain the document doesn't affect its legal status.
The Deedly Guarantee
When you order a deed poll from Deedly, we prepare a document that meets all legal requirements. We've helped thousands of people change their name successfully, and we guarantee that UK organisations will accept your deed poll.
If any UK organisation refuses to accept your Deedly deed poll, we'll give you your money back. We can offer this guarantee because we know our deed polls are prepared correctly and meet all legal standards.
The application process is straightforward. You apply online, we prepare your deed poll and post it to you, you sign it with witnesses present, and then you use it to update your records. Simple, legal, and effective.
Getting Started
If you've been hesitating because you weren't sure whether online deed polls were legitimate, you can move forward with confidence. They're completely legal, widely accepted, and used by thousands of people every year.
The convenience of applying online doesn't compromise the legal validity of the document. You're getting the same legally binding deed poll you'd get through any other method, just with less hassle and lower cost.