What is a Deed Poll?
What can a Deed Poll be used for?
Is a Deed Poll suitable for me?
Will you look into my circumstances and let me know what the best course of action is for me to change my name / my child's name?
Can I change my title?
How old do I have to be to change my name?
If I change my child's name will I need any other documentation?
If I change my own name will I need any additional documentation?
Do I need to register my new name anywhere?
Can I change the name on my / my child's Birth Certificate?
Do I have to give a reason to change my name?
What can I change my name to?
Why do people change their name?
Will I need a solicitor?
Can I use my new name on my Passport?
Will my credit score go down if I change my name?
Can I use photocopies of my Deed Poll to notify everyone at once?
Do I have to send a copy of my Deed Poll back to you?
Will a Deed Poll give me a clean break from my old name?
Where can I get replacement copies of my Deed Poll?
What if I have a criminal record?
What about CRB / AccessNI / Disclosure Scotland?
What if I live in Scotland?
Can I have a title (e.g. Lord, Sir, Knight) as my first name?
If taking my boyfriends surname without marrying him can I still use the title Mrs?
I have had my name changed in the past. Can I still use a Deed Poll?
I changed my name changed in the past. How do I get my original name back?
I want to change my name but have things booked in my current name. What should I do?
Can a British Citizen living abroad apply for a Deed Poll?
I am not a British Citizen. Can I use a Deed Poll?
I am a transsexual. Can I use your Deed Poll to change my name and / or title?
Who needs to be informed once I change my name?
I have dual nationality. Will my Deed Poll get both passports updated?
Can I still use my old name at work?
I'm a Sole Trader - can I continue to trade in my old name?
I am getting married abroad. What should I do?
I can't find what I'm looking for!

Questions about our Service:

What do I get for my money?
Can I buy Deeds for more than one person? Will I receive a discount?
When will my Items be Delivered?
What about identity theft?
I've lost my Deed Poll. What do I do?
Can I visit your offices in person?
Is your Deed Poll guaranteed?
I'm taking part in a charity event. Can you help me?

The term Deed Poll essentially means an agreement from one person, or several persons. It is more of an expression of intent than a contract. Poll is an archaic legal term referring to documents with straight edges; these distinguished a deed binding only one person from one affecting more than a single person (an "indenture", so named during the time when such agreements would be written out repeatedly on a single sheet, then irregularly torn or "indented" so that each party had a document with corresponding tears, to discourage forgery).

Over the last 150 years or so the use of Deed Polls has died out, with the exception of Deeds of Change of Name - which most people now refer to as a Deed Poll. A Deed of Change of Name is used to change a persons name. Deeds of Change of Name can be used by Adults wishing to change their own name, Adults wishing to change their children's names or Adults wishing to change their Title. On this website when referring to a Deed Poll we are referring to a Deed of Change of Name.
Print this page|Back to top >>

A Deed Poll can be used to change a persons name. Deeds of Change of Name can be used by Adults wishing to change their own name, Adults wishing to change their children's names or Adults wishing to change their Title.
Print this page|Back to top >>

You can find out whether our Deed Poll is suitable for you by using our interactive instant questionnaire. Just click here. Please be advised this is only valid for Deeds purchased from Deed Poll Services limited, and cannot be guaranteed for any other provider.
Print this page|Back to top >>

You can check your eligibility for a Deed Poll here. Of course if you prefer a real person to check your eligibility then you can request a case review. A member of our case review team will look into your circumstances, and get back to you within 24 hours. Click here to request a case review. This service is free of charge.
Print this page|Back to top >> Of course. You can change your title at the same time as you change your name. You can also buy a Master Title Deed which is a standalone document that will change your title without changing your name. If you are wanting to change your name and title together this can all be done on your Deed Poll. Full information on changing your title can be found here.
Print this page|Back to top >>

You must be at least 16 years of age. You may apply for a Deed Poll up to 6 months in advance of your 16th birthday - we will dispatch your document to you immediately but it will be dated for your 16th Birthday. If you wish to change your name before you are 16 you will need a parent or guardian to apply for a Child Deed Poll on your behalf.
Print this page|Back to top >>

You will not need to send any documentation to us, but you will need to submit your Deed Poll with an accompanying letter of Parental Consent. When we produce your Deed Poll we will also produce all the extra documentation you will need, and send this to you. This will be fully prepared and customized for your circumstances - you will just need to sign it.
Print this page|Back to top >>

No. You will simply need our Deed Poll. Of course if you are sending a copy of your Deed Poll to a Bank, Company etc. in the post you will need a covering letter. Fortunately, we include a fully customized cover letter for you in your order.
Print this page|Back to top >>

No. By signing the Deed Poll you are agreeing to abandon the use of your old name, and are promising from that point on to only use your new name. So, anyone who may hold records on you (your bank, employer, phone company, insurance providers etc.) will need to be informed. We'll provide a fully customized cover letter that you can use in every situation.

You have the option to enroll your Deed Poll. Essentially this means your Deed Poll is processed by the courts who assign it a reference number, and keep a copy. They will also publish your change of name in the London Gazette, and your name and address on the London Gazette website. Enrolling your Deed Poll means it will be placed for 5 years in the Enrolment Books of the Supreme Court of Judicature, after which time it will be placed in the National Archives. Enrolling your Deed Poll costs approximately £100 and adds considerable time and effort to the process.

Luckily, you do not have to enroll your Deed Poll - it is done by choice, not out of obligation. An overwhelming percentage of people never bother to enroll their Deeds. If you would like independent advice on this issue please feel free to call the Royal Courts of Justice on 020 7947 6000.
Print this page|Back to top >>

No. In some cases where the child is under 12 months old you may be able to get the certificate changed. Generally however it is impossible. A Birth Certificate is an historical record, accurate at the time it was produced. It is there to reflect the name of the child at the time of Birth, nothing more. If you are ever asked to produce your birth certificate as a form of identity you simply produce the Birth Certificate along with the Deed Poll.
Print this page|Back to top >>

No. you will not be asked to justify your choice of name. You can have any name you like. Click here to see our guidelines on choosing a name.
Print this page|Back to top >>

More or less anything you like. Click here for our full guide on your choice of name.
Print this page|Back to top >>

We do not ask our customers to justify their choice of name. However, from talking to our customers we have come up with the following list of the most common reasons people change their name:

• Some people just don't like their name
• Some people like to change their name to a more common spelling (e.g. Sara to Sarah)
• Some couples like to take a double barrelled or hyphenated surname (e.g John Smith & Traci White become John & Traci White-Smith)
• Some women wish to revert to their maiden name before their divorce is finalized
• Some unmarried women want their children to carry their name
• Some brides wish to keep their maiden name as a middle name
• Some people who have always gone by their middle name or nickname wish to use that as their formal name
• Some brides that have children like to have the children take the grooms name as well
• Some gay and lesbian couples like to share the same surname
• Some entertainers like to formally use their stage name
• Transsexuals wish to change their name and title after gender re-alignment
  

You may change your name for any reason you like, with just one exception. You are not allowed to change your name for the purposes of defrauding a person, company, government or entity.

Print this page|Back to top >>

No - you can use our Deed Poll without the services of a solicitor, or any other legal professional. You simply sign it, and send it to those who need to be notified of your new name. With your Deed Poll we will send you a covering letter (this is for you to send to companies with your Deed Poll) and a printed booklet explaining who you need to inform, and how to inform them. By following our New Name Guide you will find the process of changing your name quick and easy.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Yes, the Identity & Passport service will accept our Deed Polls. You can confirm this with them directly by calling their 24 hour hotline on 0300 222 0000.
Print this page|Back to top >>

No. When applying for credit you will always be asked if you have ever been known by a former name - by giving them your old name they can find your credit history. You can inform the credit reference agencies of your change of name directly, or your bank will inform them once you inform your bank. Changing your name will have no impact on your credit score.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Many companies are happy to accept a simple photocopy (phone companies, utilities etc) but you will find financial institutions and Government departments will want to see originals. In order to speed the process up (by informing several agencies at once rather than waiting to get your original document back each time) we recommend 10 copies (you will be provided with 10 copies by default).
Print this page|Back to top >>

Along with your purchase we will send you a special copy of your Deed Poll. This will be clearly marked, and is an archive copy. If you sign this copy and return it in the pre-paid envelope provided we will archive it for you free of charge. This means if ever you lose all your copies, we will be able to provide another copy. There is no charge for our archiving service. Replacement copies cost £14.26 each when requested. You do not have to return the archive copy if you do not want to, but if ever you lose all your copies of your Deed Poll you will need to buy a whole new Deed Poll.
Print this page|Back to top >>

As far as legally possible yes. Because you are not allowed to change your name for the purposes of fraud you will have to disclose your old name on applications for things like mortgages and credit cards. You will also be unable to change the name on:

• Your Birth certificate
• Your Marriage certificate
• Your Decree Absolute
• Old education certificates

However everything else will be in your new name, with no mention of the old name. This includes you passport, driving licence, bank & credit cards, insurance papers, deeds to land etc. You will be able to go through life known just as your new name. On the odd occasion where you need to present a document (eg an educational certificate to a new employer) simply submit it with the Deed Poll.
Print this page|Back to top >>

If you ordered your Deed Poll through us you can order a replacement of your Deed Poll by contacting us here. Replacement copies are £14.26 each. If you did not buy your Deed Poll from us you will need to order a new one. You can do this here.
Print this page|Back to top >>

You can still change your name if you have a criminal record, as long as you abide by the following conditions:

• If you are under investigation or have any pending criminal actions you must notify the police station dealing with you.
• If you are on the sex offenders register you must notify the police that you have changed your name within 14 days.
• If you are on probation you must notify your probation officer
  

Print this page|Back to top >>

If you have a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure, or the Scottish / Northern Ireland equivalent, you do not need to notify them. When you next apply for a disclosure apply in your new name and enclose a certified copy of your Deed Poll.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Our Deed Poll will work for you if you love in Scotland. There seems to be a strong belief that they don't work. While the Scottish legal system is separate from that of England & Wales, Deed Polls are not affected by this - we guarantee you ours will work.
Print this page|Back to top >>

It is not illegal to do so, but we will not provide the documentation for such a name. Please see our guide to acceptable names.
Print this page|Back to top >>

You can. However, you must make your marital status known - on credit forms, school applications etc. you will still need to mark your marital status as single.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Yes, you can change your name whenever you like as long as you are not perpetrating a fraud. If asked if you have ever been known by any other name you must disclose all former names. You do not need a special type of Deed Poll - you can order a standard Deed Poll here.
Print this page|Back to top >>

If you bought your first Deed Poll from us, simply use the reversal deed that was included. If you have lost the reversal, or had your name changed some other way you will need to order a new Deed Poll here.
Print this page|Back to top >>

If you have a holiday or similar booked it is best to wait until you are back before changing your name. If there is enough time to get everything changed before the event (Leave 3 months for passports, 1 month for anything else), and the booking agency will allow you to change your name on your booking then you can click here to order.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Yes, you will be able to use our Deed Poll to apply for a new British Passport at your nearest British Mission. It is highly recommended that you speak to your nearest mission / embassy before making your application as every country is different. If your mission has special requirements we will still be able to help you but we will need you to contact us.
Print this page|Back to top >>

There are many different factors that can affect the answer to this question. The instant questionnaire will tell you right away whether or not our Deed Poll will work for you.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Yes, please visit our trans-gender information pages.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Quite a few people. With your Deed Poll we'll send you a comprehensive list of who needs to be informed, pre-written customized cover letters to send them, and a Booklet explaining how to make the process quick and easy. Of course, if you have any problems after you purchase your Deed Poll you're always welcome to contact us.
Print this page|Back to top >>

It depends on many factors. We can definitely have your British passport and documents updated but every country has different regulations in this area. We advise you to request a free case review if you need both passports updated. This means we will look into your unique circumstances and get back to you within 24 hours.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Yes, as long as your employer gives permission. Many people do this as they have built relationships with clients, and do not want to lose this.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Yes - there is no need to change your trading name after using our Deed Poll. You will need to amend your paperwork so that it mentions that (your new name) is the proprietor of the business. In our New Name Guide (issued free with all Deed Polls) there is an entire section dedicated to Sole Traders - giving advice on how to keep the business name the same, how to immediately change the business name, or how to transition the business name from one to the other over time. All these options are open to you.
Print this page|Back to top >>

You will need to have your Deed Poll and Birth Certificate legalized. You can purchase your Deeds as normal, but you will need to sign them in the presence of a registered solicitor or notary public, and have them act as your witness. This will cost around £10 (but get a quote first). You will then need to return the Deed Poll to us so we can have the FCO legalize it. The charge for legalization is £41.07. If you have other documents you need legalized at the same time we can take care of this for you. Please contact us for more information.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Please contact us with any questions, or click here to request a case review. A member of our case review team will look into your circumstances, and get back to you within 24 hours. This service is free of charge.
Print this page|Back to top >>

If you order our standard Deed Poll (for child or adult) you receive the following:

• 10 x Instant Use Deed Poll - This is a Deed Poll that you can sign yourself, have a friend or neighbor witness your signature and start presenting to people to have your documents changed. You receive 10 original copies (allowing you to notify multiple organizations at once).
• 1 x Archive copy - This is a special copy of your Deed Poll only intended to be used if you decide to take up our free archiving service. Sign it at the same time as the others, pop it in the post in the pre-paid envelope and forget about it. If ever you lose your originals we'll then be able to provide you a certified copy of the original. If you do not want us to archive your Deed you can just discard this copy.
• New Name Guide - A printed booklet explaining the process of changing your name, and the quickest and easiest way to do it. Packed full of useful advice on the best ways to notify people, a comprehensive list of who you will need to notify, advice for sole traders, advice for those taking on someone else's name - and general advice on changing your name that is useful in all situations.
• Pre-Paid envelope for return of your archived Deed Poll.
• Customized cover letter - this is a pre-written cover letter from you, to send with your Deed Poll as evidence that you have changed your name. Simply sign it and make as many photocopies as you need. If your Deed is for a child we will provide the appropriate cover letters as well.
• Reversal Deed Poll - We also include a Deed Poll which can be used to change your name back if at any point in the future you change your mind.

Print this page|Back to top >>

You can buy as many Deed Polls as you like, but please bear in mind we can only ship your order to one address. If you need documents sending to different addresses you will need to order and pay for each separately.
Print this page| Back to top >>

Orders are dispatched within 24 hours, and are sent by Royal Mail First Class Delivery.

Print this page|Back to top >>

Our company is registered with the Information Commissioners office, meaning we have made certain commitments to protect your personal information. We take the security of your information very seriously and take every possible measure to secure your data.
Print this page|Back to top >>

If you archived your Deed Poll with us click here to contact us to arrange a replacement. If not you will need to buy a whole new Deed Poll here.
Print this page|Back to top >>

In order to keep costs (and therefore prices) down, we do not have offices that are open to the general public. The additional rent required combined with the cost of insurance would mean we would have to add at least £9 to the price of every Deed Poll to offer this service. You are more than welcome to contact us.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Yes - should you have any issues with our Deed Poll we offer a full guarantee. Further information can be found here.
Print this page|Back to top >>

Certainly. Please contact us with details of what your doing and how we can help you.
Back to top >>