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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
Why
do people change their name?
Here are the most popular reasons for people changing their name by Deed Poll in the UK:
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Upon separation, a woman wishes to be known by her maiden name before her divorce is finalised (see note 1 below). |
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An unmarried mother whose child was registered with the father's surname wishes her child to have her surname. |
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People who simply don't like their name. |
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Upon marriage, the bride and groom choose to have a double barrelled or hyphenated name (see note 2 below). |
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Upon marriage, a bride who adopts her husband's surname chooses to have her maiden name as a middle name. |
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Upon marriage, a bride who already has children from a former relationship chooses to have the surname of her children changed to her new married surname (see note 3 below). |
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People who have been using a different name to their birth name who want to formalise their change of name so that all their records and documents show their new name (usually their passport). |
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One or both partners in a gay or lesbian relationship wish to share the same surname. |
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Transsexuals who wish to change their name after a gender change operation. |
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Entertainers who want to formally use their stage name. |
So long as you are not changing your name for fraudulent purposes, it doesn't matter what the reason is - it's your right to be known by whatever name you wish (subject to certain restrictions that are explained on our page Are there any restrictions on names?).
Note
1
Upon receipt of a decree absolute certificate, a woman can usually
revert to her maiden name. A Deed Poll is often not required
as the decree absolute ceretificate and her marriage certificate
(which shows her maiden name) provides the documentary evidence
that she has changed her name.
Note
2
Upon
marriage, the bride has the option of keeping or maiden name
or adopting her husband's surname. If she only adopts her husband's
surname, a Deed Poll is not required. The marriage certificate
provides the documentary evidence that she has changed her name.
A groom has no legal right to change his name upon marriage.
Note
3
If
the mother was married when her children were born, written permission
of the father is required. If the father's permission is not
given, a court order can be obtained.
| Change your name online now |
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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. |