Name Change for Stalking & Harassment Victims: A Safety Guide

For victims of stalking and harassment, a name change is often more than a desire—it is a necessary shield. It is a way to break the link between you and the person targeting you, allowing you to build a life free from fear and surveillance.

However, the UK name change system has a dangerous pitfall that many survivors fall into. If you choose the "official-sounding" route without understanding the implications, you could accidentally publish your new identity, old identity, and home address on the internet for your stalker to find.

At UK Name Change, we prioritise your safety above all else. This guide explains exactly how to change your name without leaving a paper trail.

The Critical Rule: Do NOT "Enroll" Your Deed Poll

If there is only one thing you take from this guide, let it be this: You must use an Unenrolled Deed Poll.

The Danger of Enrolling: Many people believe that "enrolling" their Deed Poll with the Royal Courts of Justice makes it "more legal." This is false. Enrolling is a voluntary process that makes your name change a matter of public record. When you enroll a Deed Poll, the government is legally required to publish a notice in The London Gazette. This notice includes:

• Your Old Name
• Your New Name
• Your Full Home Address

This information is permanently searchable online. If a stalker Googles your old name, they will instantly find your new name and where you live.

The Safety of Unenrolled Deed Polls: An Unenrolled Deed Poll (which is what we provide) is a private legal document. It is not registered with any court. It is not published in any newspaper. It is simply a contract you sign with a witness. Crucially, it is fully accepted by HM Passport Office, the DVLA, banks, and the police. It allows you to change your ID without announcing it to the world.

Securing Your Address: The Electoral Roll

Once you have changed your name privately, you must ensure your address doesn't betray you. The Electoral Roll (voting register) is often used by "people finder" websites.

If you are at risk of harassment, you are eligible for Anonymous Registration.

• This allows you to vote without your name and address appearing on the register.
• You will need to provide evidence, such as a court order (e.g., a restraining order) or an attestation from a "qualifying officer" (like a senior police officer or social worker).

We strongly recommend contacting your local council's electoral registration office immediately to set this up.

Companies House and Business Directors

If you run a business or are a company director, your home address can often be found on Companies House. To protect yourself:

• Use a Service Address: Never use your home address as your correspondence address. Use an accountant's office or a virtual office service.
• Suppressing History: If your home address is already on the register from the past, you can apply (Form SR01) to have it removed from historical documents.
• "Serious Risk" Application: In extreme cases where you can prove a serious risk of violence, you can apply to have your name protected from the public register entirely.

Digital Hygiene: Breaking the Cyber Link

A legal name change is only one part of the puzzle. Stalkers often use digital footprints to trace victims. When you adopt your new identity:

1. New Accounts, Not Renamed Ones: Do not just rename your old Facebook or Instagram. Create entirely new accounts with new email addresses. Old accounts often have hidden "ID numbers" or cached data that can link back to you.
2. Password Security: Change every password. Avoid security questions with answers a stalker might know (e.g., "First School" or "Mother's Maiden Name").
3. Inform Your Bank Explicitly: When you update your bank, ask to speak to their vulnerable customer team. They can add notes to your account to ensure extra security questions are asked before any information is given out.

How We Support Your Safety

We understand that for you, privacy isn't just a preference; it's protection. Our Complete Package (£29.99) is designed to be discreet and secure.

• Plain Packaging: All our documents arrive in unbranded envelopes.
• No Public Registers: We do not publish your data anywhere.
• Guidance: Our dashboard helps you update your documents quickly, minimising the time you spend in "limbo" between identities.

You have the right to a life that is yours alone. Let us help you build the legal foundation for a safe, private future.

Note: If you are in immediate danger, always call 999. For specialist support, contact the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300.

Secure your privacy today. Start your confidential application.