An enrolled deed poll is a standard name change that you’ve also paid to register on a public court record. It costs £53.05, takes 2-3 weeks, and publishes your old name, new name and address in the London Gazette - permanently and publicly. It carries no more legal weight than a private unenrolled deed poll, which is why most people don’t want one. Here’s what “enrolled” really means in 2026.
What Does “Enrolled” Actually Mean?
Enrolling means lodging your deed poll with the Senior Courts (Royal Courts of Justice) so it’s entered on a public register and announced in the London Gazette - the UK’s official public record. It is an optional administrative step, not a legal requirement, and it does not change how your name change works. The name change itself is done by signing the deed; enrolment just adds a public footprint.
The Privacy Trade-Off: The London Gazette
This is the big one. An enrolled deed poll is published online, publicly and permanently. Anyone can search the Gazette and find your old name, your new name and your address. For most people changing their name - and especially anyone changing it for safety, privacy or gender-transition reasons - that’s the opposite of what they want. An unenrolled deed poll keeps the whole thing private.
The Cost & Time
Enrolment costs a £53.05 court fee in 2026, and you typically still pay to have the deed drafted correctly on top. It also takes 2-3 weeks to register, versus an unenrolled deed poll that’s valid the instant you sign. For a deeper cost breakdown, see is high court enrolment worth it?
So Why Does Enrolment Exist?
It’s a long-standing, traditional process for people who specifically want a permanent, official public record of their change - or who anticipate a future dispute where a public register entry could be useful evidence. Those situations are genuine but uncommon. For the everyday name change, the public record is a downside, not a benefit.
The Better Alternative for Most People: Unenrolled
An unenrolled deed poll gives you the identical legal name change - accepted by HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC, banks and everyone else - but private, instant and far cheaper. If you’re weighing the two, our enrolled vs unenrolled comparison lays it out in a table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an enrolled deed poll more legally valid?
No. It has exactly the same legal effect as an unenrolled deed poll. Enrolment adds a public record, not legal power.
How much does an enrolled deed poll cost?
£53.05 in court fees in 2026, usually plus a drafting cost, and it takes 2-3 weeks to register.
Can I remove my enrolled deed poll from the London Gazette later?
No - the Gazette is a permanent public record. This is the main reason to think carefully before enrolling, and to prefer the private unenrolled route if you value privacy.
Do any organisations require an enrolled deed poll?
UK organisations - passports, DVLA, HMRC, banks, NHS, employers - all accept unenrolled deed polls. Only the occasional foreign authority might ask for enrolment.
Should I enrol just to be safe?
No. There’s no “safety” benefit for everyday use - you’d simply pay £53.05, wait weeks, and make your details public for no added acceptance.
Skip the Public Record - Get an Unenrolled Deed Poll for £14.49
Unless you specifically need a public register entry, the private unenrolled route is the better choice. A professionally printed UK deed poll from UK Name Change is £14.49, dispatched the same day by tracked Royal Mail, legally identical to an enrolled deed poll for everyday use, and accepted by every major UK organisation.
