Change Your Name Legally in Minutes — UK Deed Poll Service

What Is a Deed Poll?

A deed poll is the legal document that proves you have abandoned your old name and adopted a new one. In England, Wales, and Scotland, it is the standard method for changing your name — recognised by every government body, bank, and employer in the UK.

You do not need to attend court or hire a solicitor. Simply create a deed poll, sign it in front of one witness, and send certified copies to the organisations you need to notify. Our service produces a professionally formatted, legally correct document — all you do is print, sign, and post.

Who Can Change Their Name by Deed Poll?

Any British citizen aged 16 or over can change their name by deed poll. If you want to change the name of a child under 16, a parent or legal guardian must complete the deed poll on the child's behalf, and everyone with parental responsibility must give their consent.

There are very few restrictions on your new name. It cannot include numbers, symbols, or punctuation other than hyphens, and it must not be obscene or an impersonation of another person. Beyond those limits, you can choose almost any name you like — a new first name, a different middle name, a new surname, or all three at once.

Common Reasons People Change Their Name

• Marriage or civil partnership — take a spouse's surname, double-barrel both names, or create a new shared name.
• Divorce or separation — revert to a previous surname or adopt a completely fresh name.
• Gender transition — align your name with your gender identity. A deed poll is the most widely accepted document for this purpose across all UK institutions.
• Personal preference — you need no special reason. Simply disliking your name is perfectly valid grounds.
• Religious or cultural identity — adopt a name that reflects your faith, heritage, or background.
• Simplifying a difficult name — anglicise or shorten a name that is routinely misspelled or mispronounced.

Is a Deed Poll Legally Binding?

Yes. Both an enrolled deed poll (registered with the Royal Courts of Justice) and an unenrolled deed poll are fully legally valid in the UK. We produce an unenrolled deed poll — the type used by the vast majority of people, including those renewing passports and updating driving licences.

Enrolment is an optional, rarely necessary step that adds cost and weeks of delay without any practical advantage for most people. Our deed polls use the correct legal wording accepted by the UK Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC, all major banks, the NHS, and thousands of other organisations every year.