www.deedpollsonline.co.uk

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
 

You can apply for a Deed Poll if you:

• are British, or
• live in the United Kingdom.

If you are British, you can be living anywhere in the world.

If you live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can be of any nationality.

If you are a foreign national living in the UK
Before you order your Deed Poll, we advise you to check with your country's high commission or embassy in London to see if a Deed Poll issued by us will be accepted as documentary evidence to get your passport changed to show your new name. Countries that have a legal system based on the British legal system will usually accept a Deed Poll issued by us.

If you are a British national living outside the UK
Before you order your Deed Poll, we advise you to speak to your local British mission (i.e. British consular services at your nearest British High Commission or Embassy) to ensure there are no special requirements that must be met before they will issue you with a new British passport. For example, the British embassy in Tokyo require a Deed Poll to be witnessed by a solicitor.

If you are British and live in the UK
You can apply for a Deed Poll now by clicking on this link (please first read about the age requirements below).

Age requirement
To change your own name by Deed Poll, you must be at least 18 years of age. If you are under 18 years of age, one of your parents can apply for a Deed Poll on your behalf so long as anyone else with parental responsibility [What is parental responsibility] consents to your name change. If you are 16 or 17 years of age and your name is being changed by your parent, you must consent to it in writing. If you are under 16 years of age, your parents can change your name without your consent.

Please read our page Can I change my children's names for further information about parental consent requirements.

Last updated: 2 July 2003