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 separation
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
 

A Deed is a written legal agreement that has been signed and delivered (given to any concerned party). Poll was a legal term used to describe a document that had its edges cut (polled) so they were straight. This was done to visually distinguish between a deed signed by one person (a polled deed - hence the term Deed Poll) and a deed signed by more than one person (an indenture), which had an edge indented or serrated. There were originally two parts of an indenture written on one piece of parchment, which was afterwards torn in half and one half given to each party. The impossibility of matching the tear was a guard against forgery.

Last updated: 20 January 2003