Yes-a single deed poll changes your first name and your surname at the same time in the UK. You do not need one document for your forename and another for your last name; a complete change of name is exactly what a deed poll is designed for. One document, one signature, one set of organisations to notify. Whether you’re changing a single first name, several forenames and your surname all at once, the legal mechanism is identical and the cost is the same.
One deed poll covers your whole name
A deed poll is a formal statement that you have given up your old name and adopted a new one. Crucially, it makes no distinction between the parts of your name. Your “name” in law is the full string of forename(s) and surname together, so changing all of it at once is no different in principle from changing just one element.
That means a single document can take you from, say, James Andrew Smith to Oliver Mark Hartley-new first name, new middle name and new surname-in one go. You sign it once, have it witnessed once, and you’re done. There is no extra paperwork, no second fee and no waiting period between changing your forename and your surname.
It’s also worth knowing that an unenrolled deed poll-the standard, professionally printed document-is fully legally valid for a complete name change. It’s accepted by HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC, the NHS, banks, employers and schools, and around 98% of UK name changes are done this way. Enrolment at the Royal Courts of Justice is entirely optional, costs £53.05, takes 2-3 weeks, publishes your new name publicly in the London Gazette and adds no legal validity whatsoever. For the vast majority of people changing their full name, the unenrolled route is all you need.
Why change your first and last name together
If you already know you want to change both parts, doing it in one deed poll is the obvious choice-and not just for convenience.
It costs the same and saves on admin
A deed poll from UK Name Change starts at £14.49, and that price covers your entire name-one forename or four words, it makes no difference. Changing your name in two separate stages would mean updating your passport, driving licence, bank and so on twice over. Many of those updates are free (the DVLA licence update is free, as are bank, HMRC, NHS, employer and utility updates), but a passport is not: a UK adult passport costs £102 online or £115.50 by post. Doing everything at once means you only renew documents like your passport a single time.
Everything matches from day one
The biggest practical headache with name changes is mismatched records-a passport in your new surname but a driving licence still showing your old forename. Changing the whole name in one deed poll, then updating every organisation once, keeps your identity consistent across the board. That matters at airports, for credit applications and any time two documents are checked against each other.
A genuine fresh start
For people leaving behind a difficult past-after a divorce, estrangement or simply wanting a name that finally feels like their own-a full change is often the whole point. There’s no reason to keep half of a name you’d rather move on from, and a single deed poll lets you redefine your identity completely.
Choosing your new name wisely
Because you’re changing everything, this is the moment to get your new name exactly right-spelling, middle names and word order included. There are a few sensible rules to keep in mind.
Your new name must not be offensive, must not promote hate or crime, can’t contain numbers or symbols, can’t infringe a trademark, and can’t include a title (like Dr or Lord) that implies a rank you don’t hold. On that last point, remember a title such as Mr, Mrs, Ms, Mx or Dr is not legally part of your name at all-you don’t need a deed poll to start using a different title, so don’t try to build one into your new name. For the full picture of what passes and what gets rejected, read our guide on choosing a name that will be accepted in the UK before you commit.
A couple of practical tips specific to a complete change:
Decide your forenames and surname together
Say your full new name aloud, write it out and check how the initials look. Since you’re free to choose every part, it’s worth making sure your forename and surname sit well together and that any middle names are exactly as you want them recorded-they’ll appear on your passport and official records.
Practise your new signature
A whole new name usually means a whole new signature. Banks and other organisations may compare it against your deed poll, so settle on a signature you can reproduce consistently before you sign the document-and use the same one everywhere afterwards.
How to change your full name, step by step
Once you’ve chosen your new forename(s) and surname, the process is straightforward:
1. Order your deed poll. Complete the short adult deed poll application with your old name and your full new name. Order before 3pm for same-day dispatch, with free Royal Mail Tracked delivery.
2. Sign it in front of an independent witness. Anyone aged 16 or over can change their own name and sign their own deed poll. Your witness must be an independent adult (18+)-not a relative, partner or anyone living at your address. Sign in wet ink.
3. Update your records. Send the original wet-ink deed poll (not a photocopy) to HM Passport Office, the DVLA and your bank as required, then notify HMRC, your GP, employer and utility providers. Most of these updates are free.
For a complete walk-through of notifying every organisation in the right order, see our step-by-step guide to changing your name in the UK.
That’s the whole process. There’s no need to pay a solicitor-they’d typically charge £150-£300+ for the identical document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my first name and surname on the same deed poll?
Yes. One deed poll changes your entire name-first name, any middle names and surname-in a single document. You don’t need separate deeds for different parts of your name, and there’s no extra cost for changing more of it.
Does changing my whole name cost more than changing one part?
No. A deed poll from UK Name Change is £14.49 whether you’re changing one word or your complete name. The only costs that can vary are the documents you update afterwards-for example, a new passport is £102 online, while a DVLA licence update is free.
Will my new name be linked to my old one?
Your deed poll is the legal record connecting your old and new names, which is exactly what organisations need to update your records. An unenrolled deed poll keeps this private between you and the bodies you choose to show it to; enrolment (£53.05) is the only route that publishes your change publicly in the London Gazette, and it’s optional.
Can I change my middle name at the same time too?
Absolutely. Middle names are part of your forenames, so you can add, remove or change them on the very same deed poll as your first name and surname. Just make sure the exact spelling and order are how you want them recorded.
Do I need a solicitor for a complete name change?
No. A professionally printed unenrolled deed poll is legally valid for a full name change and is accepted by passport, DVLA, banking, NHS and employment bodies. A solicitor would charge £150-£300+ for the same document, so it’s an unnecessary expense.
Ready to change your full name?
Changing your first and last name together is simple, affordable and completely legal with a single deed poll. Join 160,000+ people who’ve trusted UK Name Change. Start your adult deed poll application today-from £14.49, with same-day dispatch before 3pm and free tracked delivery.
