Links to site contents...
About
Deed Polls
What is a Deed
Poll?
Why
is it called a Deed Poll?
What
is the purpose of a Deed Poll?
Who can apply?
Can
I change my children's names?
Are
there any restrictions on names?
Is
a Deed Poll registered anywhere?
Can
a birth certificate be changed?
Why
do people change their name?
Answers to other
FAQs
Applying
for a Deed Poll
Change
your name online now
Example
letters of consent
General
name change information
Introduction
A woman's
rights upon marriage
A
man's rights upon marriage
A
woman's rights upon divorce
A
woman's rights upon being widowed
Your
rights upon adoption
Who to advise
after changing your name
UK
Deed Poll Service
Contact us
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions
and your rights
General
name change information
Introduction
Any citizen of the United Kingdom aged 16 years and over can change their name to any name they choose simply by using their new name. This is known as changing your name by usage. With few exceptions, you can have whatever name you choose so long as you are not changing your name for fraudulent purposes or to avoid an obligation. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on how often you can change your name.
However, if you change your name by usage, you will encounter difficulties when trying to get certain documents and records changed since government departments such as the Passport Office, Inland Revenue and DVLA - and many companies and organisations - will ask you for "documentary evidence" that you have changed your name. Documentary evidence is a term used to describe a document that will be accepted to effect a change of name. Such documents are:
- Marriage certificate (allows a women to change her surname to that of her husband).
- Decree absolute certificate (usually allows a divorcee to revert to her maiden name).
- Death certificate (allows a widow to revert to her maiden name).
- Adoption order (allows an adopted child to change his/her surname to the adopted family's surname).
To change your name for any other reason than above, you need a document that provides evidence that you have changed your name. A Deed Poll is such a document and it will ensure that you get all your documents and records changed to show your new name without any problems or delays.
It should be noted that there are certain documents that you can never get changed because they are a record of what happened at a particular point in time. These are: a birth certificate (see Can a birth certificate be changed for exceptions to this), an adoption order, a marriage certificate and a decree absolute certificate. Also, it is unlikely that you will be able to get documents such as educational certificates etc changed.
Last updated: 20 November 2001
| Change your name online now |
|
Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of the information provided on this website, UK Deed Poll Service will not be held liable or responsible for any loss, damage or other inconvenience caused as a result of any inaccuracy or error within the pages of this website. Reproduction of any part of this website's content is illegal without our permission. |