What Documents Do I Need for a Deed Poll? (UK Guide)

Starting the journey to change your name often brings up visions of endless paperwork and filing. Many of our clients in London and across the UK worry that they will need to dig out ancient birth certificates or decree absolutes just to get started.

The reality is that obtaining a deed poll is much simpler than most people think. However, the documents you need depend on whether you are changing your own name, a child’s name, or if you are a foreign national living in the UK. This guide breaks down the requirements for each stage of the process.

1. Documents for an Adult Deed Poll (16+)

If you are an adult (16 years or older) and a British citizen, the initial application process is surprisingly "document-light." When you apply through UK Name Change, you do not actually need to upload any physical documents to generate your deed poll.

What you will need to provide:

• Full Current Name: As it appears on your birth certificate or current passport.
• Full New Name: Exactly how you want it to appear (including any middle names).
• Current Address: This must be your main residential address in the UK.
• Date of Birth: To verify you are over the age of 16.

While you don't need documents to order the deed poll, you will need your current ID (Passport or Driving Licence) later when you take your signed deed poll to the bank or the Passport Office to prove you are the person the document refers to.

2. Documents for a Child Deed Poll (Under 16)

Because children cannot legally change their own names, the documentation requirements are stricter to protect the child’s interests and ensure all legal guardians are in agreement.

To complete a child deed poll, you will typically need:

• The Child’s Full Birth Certificate: To prove the child's current legal identity and parentage.
• Proof of Parental Responsibility (PR): If you are the mother, this is usually confirmed by the birth certificate. For fathers, it may depend on whether you were married to the mother at the time of birth or if you are named on a birth certificate registered after 2003.
• Letter of Consent: Written and signed consent from everyone who holds Parental Responsibility. Our service provides the necessary templates for these letters to ensure they meet the standards of HM Passport Office.
• Court Orders (If Applicable): If you do not have consent from the other parent, you will need a Specific Issue Order from a family court.

3. Documents for Foreign Nationals

If you are a foreign national living in the UK, the process of changing your name is legally possible, but you must be careful. Before applying, you should contact your embassy.

You may need:

• A Translation of your Birth Certificate: If it is not in English or Welsh.
• Embassy Confirmation: Some countries require a UK solicitor or notary public to witness the deed poll before they will update your national passport.

4. Documents for the Witnessing Stage

Once you have printed your deed poll from our dashboard, you need to sign it. You don’t need a solicitor, but you do need an independent witness.

Your witness does not need to bring any documents. However, they must provide their full name, occupation, and address on the deed poll itself. They should be someone who knows you but is not related to you, such as a colleague or a neighbour.

5. Documents Needed After the Deed Poll

The deed poll is the "bridge" between your old name and your new one. To actually update your records, you will need to present your signed deed poll alongside your existing ID. Here is what major UK institutions will ask for:

HM Passport Office

When applying for a new passport, you must send:

• Your original signed deed poll.
• Your old passport (which they will cancel and return).
• Evidence of name use: This is a key requirement in 2025. They want to see at least one document showing you are already using the new name, such as a payslip, a utility bill, or a letter from your local London borough council.

The DVLA

To update your driving licence, you simply need to send your signed deed poll and your old photocard licence along with a completed D1 application form. No additional "proof of use" is usually required for the DVLA.

Banks and Building Societies

Most high-street banks will want to see your original deed poll and a second form of ID (like your old debit card or a recent bank statement) to verify your identity before they update your account.

Summary Checklist

Make It Simple with UK Name Change

Gathering documents shouldn't be the reason you delay becoming who you are meant to be. Our platform is designed to streamline the process, focusing only on the information that is strictly necessary to make your change legal.

When you choose our Complete Package, we provide you with a tailored list of exactly what you need to send to each organization, along with pre-filled letters. This means you spend less time worrying about paperwork and more time enjoying your new identity.

Ready to start? Use our 5-minute application to generate your legal documents today. If you have a specific question about your documentation—such as what to do if you’ve lost your birth certificate—please contact our expert support team for guidance.