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Change your name by deed poll

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1. How to change your name

A deed poll is a legal document that proves a change of name.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

You can change any part of your name, add or remove names or hyphens, or change the spelling.

Your new name must:

  • be pronounceable
  • not include symbols, numbers or punctuation (unless it’s a hyphenated name or part of an established name like O’Hara)
  • not be offensive or against the public interest (for example, adding Ltd to the end of the name)

You cannot use a deed poll to:

  • change which letters are capitalised in your name
  • change titles, for example Mr, Mrs, Sir, Lady or Doctor

There are different rules for changing your name if you were born in Scotland.

Choose a deed poll

If you’re 16 or over, you can make a deed poll yourself and start using a new name (called an ‘unenrolled deed poll’). If you’re 18 or over, you can apply to put your name change on public record through the High Court (called an ‘enrolled deed poll’). 

An enrolled deed poll costs £53.05.

Some organisations (such as some banks, mobile phone companies or energy providers) may only accept an enrolled deed poll to change your name on their records. Contact the organisation to understand the deed poll they will accept as proof of your new name.

Choose to:

If you’re a permanent resident overseas, you cannot change your name by deed poll.

Marriage and civil partnership

You do not need a deed poll to take your spouse’s or civil partner’s surname. Send a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate to record-holders.

If you divorce or end your civil partnership

You may be able to go back to your original name by showing record-holders either your:

  • marriage certificate and decree absolute
  • civil partnership certificate and final order

Some organisations will not change your name back without a deed poll.

If you’re a registered offender

You must tell the police you’ve changed your name within 3 days if you’re a registered:

  • sex offender
  • violent offender
  • terrorist offender

You must go to your local prescribed police station to do this. You’ll be told where this is on release.

It’s a criminal offence if you do not tell the police you’ve changed your name.

2. Make your own unenrolled deed poll

You need to be 16 or over to make an ‘unenrolled’ deed poll.

Some organisations may not accept a deed poll you’ve made yourself as proof of your new name. Ask the organisation you’re dealing with (for example your bank) if they need an ‘enrolled’ deed poll instead.

A specialist agency or a solicitor can make the deed poll for you - they may charge a fee.

How to make your own deed poll

You’ll need 2 witnesses to sign your deed poll. They must be 18 or over.

Some organisations will not accept a deed poll if a witness lives at the same address or is a close relative.

Use the following wording. Replace the words in the square brackets with the relevant details.

Name change deed

“I [old name] of [your address] have given up my name [old name] and have adopted for all purposes the name [new name].

“Where applicable, I have informed the police that I have given up my name [old name] and have adopted the name [new name] and understand that a failure to do so is a criminal offence.

“I also understand that when I apply for official documents in my new name, such as a British Passport, the relevant authorities may check the history and validity of my old name [old name] and new name [new name]. They may also check the information in any other supporting documents they have requested.

“Signed as a deed on [date] as [old name] and [new name] in the presence of [witness 1 name] of [witness 1 address], and [witness 2 name] of [witness 2 address].

“[your new signature], [your old signature]

“[witness 1 signature], [witness 2 signature]”

After you’ve made your own deed poll

You can use your signed deed poll straight away as proof of your new name.

It’s a criminal offence if you’re a registered offender and you do not tell the police you’ve changed your name.

3. Enrol a deed poll with the courts

You can put your new name on public record by ‘enrolling’ it with the High Court.

You can enrol a deed poll online or by post. It costs £53.05.

A public record of your name change and your address will be published in The Gazette. If you have a strong reason why your details should not be published, explain why in your application. The judge may agree to only publish your first name or surname.

You’ll be sent a copy of your Gazette notice by email or post.

It can take several weeks to enrol a deed poll. You can ask the Deed Poll Office for an update on your application 16 weeks after you apply.

Before you apply

You’ll need to provide a copy of one of the following:

  • a birth certificate
  • a valid passport
  • a certificate of naturalisation 

You may also be asked to provide supporting documents such as:

  • adoption documents (if you were adopted)
  • a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate (if you’re married or in a civil partnership)
  • the written consent of your husband, wife or partner (if you’re married or in a civil partnership)
  • a consent letter (if the person applying is unable to complete the form on their own behalf because of medical reasons)

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you’ll also need to provide certified translations of them.

If you’re divorced or widowed 

You’ll also need to provide either:

  • a photocopy of your decree absolute or final order 
  • your husband, wife or partner’s death certificate 

Apply online

You’ll need a debit or credit card to use this service. You’ll be told how to pay after submitting your application.

Follow these steps to enrol a deed poll online. 

  1. Apply online.

  2. Complete forms LOC020, LOC021 and LOC027. The forms will be sent to you by email.

  3. Sign form LOC020 in front of 2 witnesses. Sign forms LOC021 and LOC027 in front of a solicitor.

  4. Post the completed forms to the Deed Poll Office.

Start now

Once you start your online application, you have the option to save it and come back to it later. You must submit your application within 28 days or you’ll have to start again.

If you’re under 18, follow the process for changing a child’s name.

What happens next

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) will review your application and email you 3 forms: the LOC020, the LOC021 and the LOC027. You need to print and complete each form. 

The LOC020 form needs to be signed in front of 2 witnesses, who will also need to sign the form.

The LOC021 and LOC027 forms need to be signed in front of a solicitor or another authorised witness. They will also need to sign the form.

Post your completed forms to the Deed Poll Office.

Deed Poll Office
King’s Bench Division
Room E15
The Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL

Once your application is complete and has been approved, the Deed Poll Office will seal your deed and send it back to you by post. This is proof of your name change.

Apply by post

Read the guidance on each form page before completing the following forms:

Sign the LOC020 form in front of 2 witnesses. Your witnesses will also need to sign it.

The LOC021 and LOC027 forms need to be signed in front of a solicitor or another authorised witness. They will also need to sign the form.

Post your forms to the Deed Poll Office.

Deed Poll Office
King’s Bench Division
Room E15
The Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL

Check you’ve completed the forms correctly before you submit them. If the forms have any mistakes in them, they will be sent back to you.

Pay the fee

To pay by credit or debit card, call the High Court Fees Office.

High Court Fees Office
Telephone: 020 3936 8957 (select option 1)
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

You can also pay by postal order or cheque (payable to ‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service’).

You’ll be given a fee reference number after you’ve paid.

What happens next

Once your application is complete and has been approved, the Deed Poll Office will seal your deed and send it back to you by post. This is proof of your name change.

If you need help or support 

It can take up to 16 weeks to process a deed poll application. The Deed Poll Office cannot give you an update on your application during this time.

Contact the Deed Poll Office.

Deed Poll Office
kbdeedspoll@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 3936 8957 (select option 6)
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

It’s a criminal offence if you’re a registered offender and you do not tell the police you’ve changed your name.

4. Change a child’s name

To change the name of a child under 18 you can either:

  • make an unenrolled deed poll by using a specialist deed poll agency or a solicitor
  • enrol a deed poll with the High Court

If you’re 16 or 17 you can choose to make your own unenrolled deed poll.

Some organisations (such as some banks, mobile phone companies or energy providers) may only accept an enrolled deed poll to change a name on their records. Contact the organisation to understand the deed poll they will accept as proof of the new name.

Enrol a deed poll

You can put your child’s new name on public record by ‘enrolling’ it with the High Court.

You can enrol a deed poll online or by post. It costs £53.05.

You’ll need either:

You must try to reach an agreement before you seek a court order.

It can take several weeks to enrol a deed poll. You can ask the Deed Poll Office for an update on your application 16 weeks after you apply.

A public record of your child’s new name will be published in The Gazette. If you have a strong reason why your child’s details should not be published, explain why in your application. The judge may agree to only publish your child’s first name or surname.

You’ll be sent a copy of the Gazette notice with your child’s name change by email or post.

If you’re 16 or 17 and are married or in a civil partnership (or have been in the past), you need to enrol a deed poll as an adult instead.

Before you apply

You can apply if you’re the child’s parent or guardian.

You’ll need to provide a copy of:

  • the child’s full birth certificate
  • adoption documents (if they were adopted)

You may also need to provide documents about your marital or relationship status, including:

  • a photocopy of your decree absolute or final order (if you’re divorced)
  • your husband, wife or partner’s death certificate (if you’re widowed)
  • a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate (if your surname on the child’s birth certificate is different from your current surname) 
  • a letter from your current partner saying they agree to the child’s name change (if you’re in a new relationship or marriage) 

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you’ll also need to provide certified translations of them.

Apply online

You’ll need a debit or credit card to use this service. You’ll be told how to pay after submitting your application.

If your child is aged 16 or 17, you must include a letter from them with the application that says that they agree to changing their name. The letter must:

  • include their old name and new name 
  • be witnessed and signed by someone who is aged 18 years or over and is not related to the child

Follow these steps to enrol a deed poll online. 

  1. Apply online.

  2. Complete forms LOC022, LOC023, LOC024 and LOC028. The forms will be sent to you by email.

  3. Sign form LOC022 in front of 2 witnesses. Sign forms LOC023, LOC024 and LOC028 in front of a solicitor.

  4. Post the completed forms to the Deed Poll Office.

Start now

Once you start your online application, you have the option to save it and come back to it later. You must submit your application within 28 days or you’ll have to start again.

What happens next

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) will review your application and email you 4 forms: the LOC022, the LOC023, the LOC024 and the LOC028. You need to print and complete each form. 

The LOC022 form needs to be signed in front of 2 witnesses, who will also need to sign the form.

The LOC023 form needs to be completed by someone with parental responsibility. 

The LOC023, LOC024 and LOC028 forms need to be signed in front of a solicitor or another authorised witness. They will also need to sign the form.

Post your completed forms to the Deed Poll Office.

Deed Poll Office
King’s Bench Division
Room E15
The Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL

Once your application is complete and has been approved, the Deed Poll Office will seal your deed and send it back to you by post. This is proof of your name change.

Apply by post

Read the guidance on each form page before completing the following forms:

You need to sign the LOC022 form in front of 2 witnesses. Your witnesses will also need to sign the LOC022 form.

The LOC023 form needs to be completed by someone with parental responsibility.

The LOC023, LOC024 and LOC028 forms need to be signed in front of a solicitor or another authorised witness. They will also need to sign the form.

Post your forms to the Deed Poll Office.

Deed Poll Office
King’s Bench Division
Room E15
The Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL

Check you’ve completed your forms correctly before you submit them. If the forms have any mistakes in them, they will be sent back to you.

If your child is aged 16 or 17, you must include a letter from them with the application that says that they agree to changing their name. The letter must:

  • include their old name and new name 
  • be witnessed and signed by someone who is aged 18 years or over and is not related to the child

Pay the fee

To pay by credit or debit card, call the High Court Fees Office.

High Court Fees Office
Telephone: 020 3936 8957 (select option 1)
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

You can also pay by postal order or cheque (payable to ‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service’).

You’ll be given a fee reference number after you’ve paid.

What happens next

Once your application is complete and has been approved, the Deed Poll Office will seal your deed and send it back to you by post. This is proof of your name change.

If you need help or support 

It can take up to 16 weeks to process a deed poll application. The Deed Poll Office cannot give you an update on your application during this time.

Contact the Deed Poll Office.

Deed Poll Office
Telephone: 020 3936 8957 (select option 6)
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges    

If you need a court order

Read the guidance on making an application to the family court.

Fill in form C100 for a ‘specific issue order’.

Send your form to your nearest court that deals with child cases.

It costs £263 to apply for a court order. You may be able to get help with court fees if you’re on benefits or a low income.