A deed poll is a legal document that proves you have given up your old name and adopted a new one. It is the formal, written declaration that lets you change your name in the UK - and it is the evidence that HM Passport Office, the DVLA, your bank, HMRC and the NHS accept when they update their records. Once you sign a deed poll in front of a witness, your new name becomes your legal name and you can use it for every official purpose.
This guide explains exactly what a deed poll is, what it does in law, how to sign and witness one properly, and how the whole process works from start to finish. If you simply want to get the document, you can order a professionally printed adult deed poll from £14.49.
What is a deed poll?
The phrase “deed poll” describes a particular kind of legal deed - one made and signed by a single person (you), rather than an agreement between two parties. A name-change deed poll is that document applied to one purpose: changing your name. It is sometimes called a “change of name deed”, but the meaning is identical.
A deed poll does three things at once. It records that you:
- Abandon your old name and give up all use of it;
- Adopt your new name and undertake to use it at all times; and
- Require everyone to call you by your new name only.
There is no central register of names in the UK and no government “name change” service. Your name is not fixed by your birth certificate - a birth certificate is a historical record of your birth, and it never changes. Instead, the law allows you to change your name freely simply by using a new one consistently. The deed poll is the formal proof of that decision, which is why organisations ask to see it.
What a deed poll does legally
Signing a deed poll makes your new name your legal name. From that moment you are entitled to use it on your passport, driving licence, bank accounts, NHS records, employment records, school records and everything else. A correctly executed deed poll is legally valid in its own right - you do not need a court, a solicitor or any government department to “approve” it.
An unenrolled deed poll is legally valid and accepted by HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC, banks, the NHS, employers and schools. Around 98% of UK name changes are unenrolled - it is the standard, mainstream route, not a budget shortcut. For a detailed look at the law behind this, see our explainer on whether a deed poll is legally recognised in the UK.
One common point of confusion: a title such as Mr, Mrs, Ms, Mx or Dr is not legally part of your name. You do not need a deed poll to change a title - you can simply ask an organisation to update it. A deed poll is for changing the name itself: your forename(s) and surname.
How to sign and witness a deed poll
A deed poll only becomes effective once it is properly executed - signed and witnessed in the correct way. Getting this step right is what makes the document acceptable to passport offices, banks and the DVLA, so it is worth doing carefully.
1. Sign in wet ink with both names
You sign the deed poll by hand, in ink. Most deed polls ask you to sign in two places: once in your old name (the name you are giving up) and once in your new name (the name you are adopting). This demonstrates the act of abandoning one and taking on the other. A digital or typed signature is not enough - HM Passport Office, the DVLA and banks need the original wet-ink signed deed poll, not a photocopy.
2. Use an independent adult witness
Your signature must be witnessed. The witness must be an independent adult aged 18 or over - not a relative, your partner, or anyone living at your address. A colleague, neighbour or friend who lives elsewhere is ideal. The witness watches you sign, then adds their own signature, full name and address. Their job is simply to confirm that they saw you sign the document.
3. Keep the original safe
Once signed and witnessed, the deed poll is complete and your name is legally changed. Keep the original document somewhere secure, because organisations will want to see it (and some will keep a copy on file). It is sensible to order more than one original copy if you need to update several institutions at the same time.
Who can change their name with a deed poll?
Anyone aged 16 or over can change their own name and sign their own deed poll without anyone else’s permission. For a child under 16, a deed poll must be made with the consent of everyone who has parental responsibility for that child, and the change is normally signed by a parent or guardian on the child’s behalf.
There are sensible limits on what you can change your name to: you cannot choose a name intended to deceive or defraud, one that includes numbers or symbols, or one that is offensive. Beyond that, you have a great deal of freedom.
Enrolled vs unenrolled: a quick word
You may have seen references to “enrolling” a deed poll. Enrolment means lodging your deed poll with the Royal Courts of Justice so that your name change is published publicly in the London Gazette. It costs £53.05, takes around 2-3 weeks, and adds no legal validity whatsoever - an unenrolled deed poll is exactly as valid as an enrolled one.
Because enrolment is optional and rarely necessary, almost everyone uses an unenrolled deed poll. To decide which is right for your situation, read our full comparison of enrolled vs unenrolled deed polls.
How the process works step by step
- Order your deed poll. Provide your old name, new name and a few details. A professionally printed deed poll from UK Name Change starts at £14.49, with same-day dispatch if you order before 3pm and free Royal Mail Tracked delivery.
- Sign and witness it. When the document arrives, sign it in wet ink and have an independent adult witness sign alongside you, as described above.
- Update your records. Send or show the original deed poll to each organisation. A DVLA driving licence name update is free, and banks, HMRC, the NHS, employers and utilities are also free to update. A new UK adult passport costs £102 online or £115.50 by post (with faster options available).
That is the entire process. There is no court hearing, no waiting list and no need to pay a solicitor - a solicitor would typically charge £150-£300 or more for exactly the same document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a deed poll a legal document?
Yes. A deed poll is a recognised legal deed. Once you have signed it in wet ink in front of an independent adult witness, it is the formal legal proof that you have changed your name, and it is accepted by passport offices, the DVLA, banks, HMRC and the NHS.
How long does a deed poll take to work?
Your name changes legally the moment you sign and witness the deed poll - there is no waiting period. With UK Name Change, the document is dispatched the same day if you order before 3pm, so you can usually sign it within a couple of days. Updating individual organisations then takes as long as each one needs.
Do I need a solicitor to make a deed poll?
No. You do not need a solicitor, and using one is unnecessary expense - they would charge £150-£300 or more for the same document you can order for £14.49. A professionally prepared unenrolled deed poll is just as valid.
Can I use a photocopy of my deed poll?
Generally no. HM Passport Office, the DVLA and banks require the original wet-ink signed deed poll, not a photocopy. If you need to update several organisations at once, it is wise to order more than one original copy.
Do I need a deed poll to change my title to Mr, Mrs, Ms or Dr?
No. A title is not legally part of your name, so you do not need a deed poll to change it. You can simply ask each organisation to update your title. A deed poll is only needed to change your actual name.
Can I change my name back later?
Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can change your name. If you ever want to revert to a previous name or choose a new one, you simply make a fresh deed poll.
Ready to change your name?
Now you know what a deed poll is and how it works, getting one is the easy part. Order a professionally printed adult deed poll from £14.49 with same-day dispatch and free tracked delivery - trusted by more than 160,000 customers. It is the simple, valid, affordable way to make your new name official.
