UK Name Change by Deed Poll

A deed poll is the standard legal method for changing your name in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is a signed legal document — formally known as a deed of change of name — that declares you are abandoning your former name and adopting a new one. Whether you're changing your surname after marriage or divorce, updating your first name, adding or removing a middle name, or changing your child's name — a deed poll is all you need.

You do not need a solicitor, notary, or court order to legally change your name. A deed poll is a self-executing legal document that, once signed and witnessed by one independent adult, is immediately valid. There is no waiting period and no approval process — your name change takes effect as soon as the deed poll is signed.

A deed poll is accepted by every UK organisation including the Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC, the NHS, all UK banks, employers, utility companies, the electoral register, universities, and insurance providers. For a complete list, see our guide on which organisations accept a deed poll.

Enrolled vs Unenrolled Deed Poll

There are two types of deed poll: enrolled and unenrolled. An unenrolled deed poll is the most common route and is what we provide. It is just as legally valid as an enrolled deed poll and is accepted by every UK government department and organisation. Enrolling a deed poll means recording it at the Royal Courts of Justice, which makes your name change a matter of public record — most people prefer the privacy of an unenrolled deed poll. Read our detailed guide on deed poll vs statutory declaration to understand your options.

Who Can Change Their Name by Deed Poll?

Any UK resident aged 16 or over can change their name by deed poll — see our adult deed poll page for full details. Children under 16 can also have their name changed, but consent is required from everyone with parental responsibility. There are very few restrictions on what you can change your name to — you can change your first name, middle name, surname, or all of them at once. We serve customers across the UK, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and all UK locations. Visit our how it works page to see the 3 simple steps.

The cost of a deed poll varies widely depending on the provider. Some solicitors charge £100+ for what is a straightforward legal document. With UK Name Change, you can order a deed poll online from just £19.49 — no solicitor fees, no hidden charges.

Our Basic Deed Poll at £19.49 includes a professionally printed document on high-quality security paper, posted FREE via Royal Mail Tracked 24 with clear signing instructions.

Our Complete Package at £39.99 adds an interactive dashboard, step-by-step name change guides for the Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC and 30+ other organisations, ready-made letter and email templates, and priority support.

Both packages include FREE Royal Mail Tracked 24 delivery — most customers receive their deed poll within 1–2 working days. For a full cost comparison, read our article on how much it costs to change your name in the UK.

Children under 16 can have their name changed by deed poll, but all persons with parental responsibility must give their consent. This typically means both parents, unless a court order states otherwise.

A child deed poll works in the same way as an adult deed poll — the main difference is the consent requirements. The deed poll must be signed by all persons with parental responsibility, and the child does not need to sign it themselves (though children over 12 are usually involved in the decision).

We offer a dedicated child deed poll service that guides you through the consent requirements and provides all the documentation you need. For more detail, read our guide on changing a child's surname.

People change their name by deed poll for many reasons. The most common include changing your surname after marriage or divorce, adopting a double-barrelled surname, correcting a spelling error, or choosing a name that better reflects your identity — including transgender name changes.

Whatever your reason, the legal process is the same: sign your deed poll, have it witnessed, and use it to update your records. No justification is needed — in the UK, you have an absolute right to be known by any name you choose.

Once you've signed your deed poll, you'll need to notify organisations of your new name. The key ones to update first are your passport, driving licence, bank accounts, and HMRC records.

Our Complete Package includes an interactive dashboard that walks you through exactly who to contact and in what order, plus ready-made letter templates you can send straight away. See our full guide on what to do after you receive your deed poll.

Changing your name by deed poll in the UK is straightforward and takes just three steps. First, order your deed poll online — fill in our simple form with your current name and new name and we'll print it on high-quality paper and post it to you FREE via Royal Mail Tracked 24.

Second, sign and witness your deed poll. You'll need to sign the document in the presence of one independent adult witness (aged 18+) who is not a family member. Once signed and witnessed, your deed poll name change is immediately legally valid — there is no waiting period or government approval required.

Third, use your deed poll to update your name with organisations such as the Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC, your bank, GP, employer, and utility companies. Our Complete Package includes a dashboard and templates that walk you through every step. For the full process, see our how to change your name guide.

No, you do not need a solicitor to change your name by deed poll. A deed poll is a self-executing legal document — it does not require a solicitor, notary, or any legal professional to be valid. Some solicitors charge £100 or more for a deed poll, but this is unnecessary.

With UK Name Change, you can order a deed poll online from just £19.49. Your document is just as legally valid as one prepared by a solicitor and is accepted by every UK organisation including the Passport Office, DVLA, and HMRC. Read our article on deed poll acceptance across UK organisations for full details.