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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
About
Deed Polls
What is a Deed Poll?
A
Deed Poll is a legal document - not a certificate. It is a form
of legal contract but it differs from legal contracts between
two or more parties in that it only concerns one person - and
it is only signed by that person. A Deed Poll therefore binds
the signatory from the date of signing to a particular course
of action as detailed on the Deed Poll document.
Although Deed Polls have in the past been used for various purposes relating to an individual committing themselves to doing something, today they have one generally accepted meaning, that is, a change of name. However, the correct legal name for a deed that has been drawn up to change someone's name is a Deed of Change of Name.
A Deed Poll for a change of name contains three declarations and by executing the Deed Poll (signing, dating and having witnessed) you are committing yourself to:
1.
Abandoning the use of your former name;
2. Using your new name only at all times;
3. Requiring all persons to address you by your new name.
Thus, a Deed Poll provides documentary evidence that you have changed your name and that you are legally binding yourself to using your new name. Although a Deed Poll is an English legal document, it is recognised by all UK government departments and UK companies and organisations - subject to the Deed Poll being prepared by a competent authority such as ourselves or a solicitor.
For an explanation about why this legal document is called a Deed Poll, please click on the 'Next answer' link below.
Last updated: 28 February 2002
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