How to Change Your Name by Deed Poll

A deed poll is the most common way to change your name in the United Kingdom. Thousands of people use them every year to update their identity legally. The process is quick, affordable, and doesn't require any legal expertise.

Here's everything you need to know about changing your name by deed poll.

What is a Deed Poll?

A deed poll is an official document that legally establishes your new name. When you sign it in front of witnesses, it becomes binding proof that you've adopted a different name and no longer use your previous one.

The law of the United Kingdom requires all organisations to accept deed polls as valid evidence of a name change. This means government departments, banks, employers, and other institutions must recognise your new name when you present your deed poll.

How to Get a Deed Poll

1. Apply Online

Fill out the online application. You'll provide your current legal name and the new name you want to adopt. Your deed poll will be individually drafted, complete with seal and serial number, and delivered to you by post within a few days.

2. Execute Your Deed Poll

When your deed poll arrives, you'll need to sign it in front of two witnesses, a process known as execution. Your witnesses must be adults who know you but aren't related to you or living at your address. Colleagues, friends, or neighbours make suitable witnesses.

After you and your witnesses have signed, your deed poll becomes legally effective.

3. Update Your Documents & Records

Using your deed poll as proof of your name change, you can update your records with organisations and get new documents issued. Your name is legally changed as soon as your deed poll is signed and witnessed, so you can start using it immediately.

When You Need a Deed Poll

You need a deed poll if you want to change your first name, middle name, or surname for reasons other than marriage. This includes adopting a completely new name, adding or removing middle names, changing your surname to something different from your family name, or reverting to a previous name after divorce.

When You Don't Need a Deed Poll

You don't need a deed poll if you're taking your spouse's surname through marriage or civil partnership. Your marriage or civil partnership certificate serves as proof of this name change. You also don't need one for informal name changes in social settings where legal proof isn't required.

Eligibility Requirements

Anyone aged 16 or over who lives in the United Kingdom can apply for a deed poll.

You don't need to be a British citizen. Foreign nationals can apply for a deed poll and use it to update any UK-issued documents they hold.

Choosing Your New Name

You have complete freedom to choose your new first name, middle name, or surname. Most people select names that reflect their identity, family connections, or personal preferences.

Your chosen name cannot include numbers or symbols, apart from hyphens and apostrophes. This restriction exists because most government and commercial databases cannot process special characters or numerical digits in name fields. Names with accents, umlauts, or other diacritical marks may also be shortened or altered when entered into official systems.

Your name cannot be deliberately offensive or chosen to mislead or impersonate someone else. Government departments and official organisations have the right to refuse names they consider vulgar, blasphemous, or selected for fraudulent purposes.

You must have both a forename and a surname, as single names are not accepted in official records and documents.



Most straightforward name changes are accepted without difficulty. If you choose an unusual name, some organisations may request additional proof that you're using it for all purposes before they update their records.

What Makes a Deed Poll Legally Valid

For a deed poll to be legally valid in the United Kingdom, it must meet specific requirements.

The document must contain a formal declaration that you are abandoning your old name entirely and adopting your new name for all purposes. This declaration must be made in the correct legal form using specific wording recognised under UK law.

Your deed poll must be signed by you in the presence of two independent witnesses. These witnesses must be adults who know you but cannot be related to you or live at your address.



If a deed poll doesn't meet these requirements, organisations may refuse to accept it as proof of your name change.

Enrolled or Unenrolled?

Unenrolled deed polls are what most people use. They're legally binding and accepted across the UK, including with all government departments and official organisations.

Enrolled deed polls involve making your name change part of the public record. This is very rarely needed, costs significantly more, and offers no practical advantage for the vast majority of people.

An unenrolled deed poll is what you need unless you've been specifically told otherwise for very unusual legal circumstances. Find out about enrolled vs unenrolled deed polls to understand the differences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost?

It costs £29 to apply for a deed poll online.

Who can be my witnesses?

You'll need two independent witnesses to sign your deed poll. They must be adults who know you but cannot be related to you or live at your address.

Friends, work colleagues, or neighbours are all suitable. Family members like parents, siblings, or partners cannot act as witnesses.

How many copies of my deed poll do I need?

We recommend ordering additional copies when you apply. This lets you update multiple organisations at the same time rather than waiting for each one to return your deed poll.

Photocopies of a signed deed poll aren't accepted by organisations, so having multiple original copies saves you time and allows you to update your records more quickly.

Do I need to be a British Citizen?

No. Anyone who lives in the United Kingdom can change their name using a deed poll, regardless of nationality or citizenship status.

Foreign nationals can use a deed poll to update UK-issued documents such as driving licences, bank accounts, and other records. However, you should check whether your country of origin will recognise a UK deed poll before applying.

Can I change my name more than once?

Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can change your name in the United Kingdom.



Each time you change your name, you'll need a new deed poll. Your most recent deed poll supersedes any previous name changes and becomes your proof of your current legal name.

Will organisations accept my deed poll?

Yes. Properly prepared deed polls that meet UK legal requirements are accepted by all organisations including government departments, banks, and employers.



Deed polls are legally binding documents, and UK law requires organisations to accept them as valid evidence of a name change.

Apply for Your Deed Poll

Getting started takes just a few minutes. Apply online and receive your deed poll by post within a few days. Once signed and witnessed, your deed poll is legally binding and accepted by all UK organisations.