Quick Links
- Get yourself a free Deed Poll now! – easily change your name within the next ten minutes, if you’re a British citizen of at least 18 years of age.
- Browse the source code
About the project
When I changed my name back in 2007, I did it the wrong way. My name ended up changed, so I didn’t go too-far wrong, but I paid for the service from one of the premium Deed Poll companies, who charge you £30 or more to do what you can basically do for yourself. It’s not an extortionate fee, but it is a rip-off. These companies get you to fill in a web form, then they print out a template response and post it to you. They scam people with strong SEO techniques and liberal use of the word “official” plastered around their websites. Once I learned better (and after I’d helped a few friends to successfully change their names using home-made Deed Polls) and done a little research, I realised that there were several free guides, online, to making your own Deed Poll. But the only wizard-driven service I could find was riddled with advertisements, required that you give them your email address, and delivered password-protected documents. That’s when I realised that I could do something better. Use Just go to www.freedeedpoll.org.uk and fill in the form to generate yourself a free Deed Poll document. Sign it (in both your new and old names), have your witnesses sign it, and you’re done: you have a brand new, legally-recognised name. The website also has tips on the laws regarding the names you can choose and on who you need to inform once you’ve changed your name.
Open Source
Because I’m passionate about open-source software, I’ve released the entire source code for this project – you can get it here, on GitHub. It’s developed using Sinatra, an awesome (and lightweight) web framework for Ruby. Prawn, the majestic sea creature of PDF generation, is used to generate the resulting Deed Poll. I hope that by releasing this project and its source code “into the wild” that I’ll be able to enable others to:
- Legally change their names simply and without cost, as is the right of every British adult.
- Learn to develop web applications using Ruby and Sinatra.
- Raise awareness about how easy it is to change one’s name, in order to undermine the greedy scam artists who sell little more than a piece of pretty paper for an insane premium.
If you enjoy this tool, please get in touch and let me know.
License
This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version. This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details. You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program. If not, see http://www.gnu.org/licenses/.
http://www.squidoo.com/change-your-name
For an overview of all the available methods to legally change your name.
Cool, thats a great help, rest of site good tok!
This was a great help, you can change your name legally in 4 ways, deed poll is the best and the free template is great.
Free deed poll to change your name legally on Squidoo link. Lots of info, contacts and step by step process for DIY deed poll.
Great. Lots of useful information and links. It really can be done for free.
Hey, the deedpoll site appears to be down….
My apologies. It should be up again now. Sorry for the inconvenience.
I’ve been working on a new version with more help and support, an easier-to-use interface, and the ability to make deeds poll for dependent children as well as adults, and I accidentally introduced an incompatibility into the live version while I was doing so.
No need to apologise !!! It is an awesome service you provide and ask for nothing in return. Trans people everywhere thank u xxx
hi there! just seen this great tool for deed pool for free. I’m wondering if there is any option for dependent children’s name change. I need to change my daughter’s name.
Please help :) Thanks
So do you think all of these services are ripping customers off or just this particular service?
Edit: a link to an a paid-for deed poll service was removed from this comment.
Given that I’ve helped hundreds of people write out deeds poll for free, but there are companies who try to sell basically the same service for around £30, it’s my feeling that most of these companies are ripping people off.
The one you linked to can’t spell “United Kingdom”, by the way, and doesn’t know what the plural of “copy” is, which doesn’t give me a lot of faith in them. They also seem inconsistent in their pricing structure, depending on which page you look at. I mention this just in case the site is yours.
I would like to point out that the tool does NOT work on Chrome on an iPad (and I assume other iOS devices as well), but it works in Safari perfectly.
Thanks for letting me know, Emily! I’m working on a new version of the tool which should correct that problem, as well as adding new features, but I’m slightly tied up with jury duty and buying a house right now! I’ll have it ready soon!
Hi i had my sons name changed about 15 years ago but have lost the deeds in a move. He is 17 and has been accepted in th RAF i need to do a new one but cant find how to do this free as he is under 18. Any ideas please
That’s not quite as simple a question as you might think. I’ll reply to you directly, by email.
Currently down at the moment :(, I really want to use it, it has the nicest formatting of all the ones I can find online, and also makes me feel like I’m not getting screwed.
Sorry about that! I’ve been having some server trouble. It should be up again later this week.
Its up already!, you are a godsend.
Fantastic service, I almost paid for the privilege but thanks to you my pennies can feed the family, thank you.
Is it really that simple? I can print the form and ta-dah…name changed? Doesn’t need to be sent anywhere? Recorded anywhere? And can be used to change driving licence and banks etc??
Seems to good to be true….!
Yes, all you have to do is print it, sign it, and show it to everybody who needs to know your new name (bank, employer, doctor, DVLA, passport office, etc.). Hundreds – possibly thousands – of people have done so already using this very site, including about half a dozen that I know personally. It really is that simple.
I’m using your site to change my own name, but I want to change my kids’ names too. Any news on when this might be running on your site or elsewhere? Ta muchly :)
I’ve replied to you by personal email with the information you need.
Hi there, your Deed poll site looks great but it is my children – I need to alter part of their surname. Could you be kind enough to tell me how I go about this? I can’t find a template for them. I am their sole parent with sole parental responsibility.
Many thanks
Hi there,
Thanks forbyou great website and the free template. I need change my sons names and was wondering if you could email me the template to do that.
Thanks in advance
Same kind of question from me, My mother re-married when i was 11. So my name was changed. But when i was 17 I lost my deeds. Solicitors say they wipe their records after 6 yr so would need to start all over again?? Costing £110 + vat! All I want is my passport, So could i still go by the name on my birth cert when i apply for it?
Can you tell me how I can do this for my son aged 10 please
Hi Dan,
Thanks for the free template, I went to Nationwide today with the document but they refused it because it does not have a stamp. Is this required? Shall I try another branch?
No; they are wrong.
I suggest that you print out or otherwise show them a copy of this article in The Guardian, for which an investigative reporter contacted all of the major banks and showed them deeds poll generated by my website, and all of them agreed (eventually: some were slower than others) that they were acceptable. By a “stamp”, they’re probably asking for a “seal”, which hasn’t been required since the 1980s (and in practice wasn’t required for many decades before that).
You’ll note that Nationwide are specifically mentioned in the article as having originally refused these deeds poll, but later changed their stance. Evidently your local branch didn’t get the memo, and you should rub it in their face that a national newspaper is more up-to-date on their internal policy than they are!
They’re still at it… National wide refused mine today too. I will be printing and suitable “in face” shoving. The NHS, passport service have been fine with it.
If I was to follow the advice I just had from the clerk “You need to go to your solicitor.” I’d be incurring a cost that I needn’t expend, even just for the consultation time. Poor show. I’m not falling for that. Thanks for the excellent site Dan, refreshing transparency, esp. with the GitHub repo!
And still. “Deed of Change of Name is not something we can use. We need to have a change of name through deed poll”
Every other financial organisation, HMRC, HM Passport Office, DVLA, NHS all accept it, though. I suggest simply closing Nationwide accounts!
Its likely that they’d have to yield to a request under the Data Protection Act to correct your details to match those of the deed, but when every other organisation gets it right, why bother with Nationwide?
Thanks for the site!
Just had mine refused by hsbc they said it needed a crest and statutory declaration!! Have things changed? A big stress for me as I can’t get divorced and desperate to change my name!
Can a birthday be change by doing a deed poll.
> Can a birthday be change by doing a deed poll.
No. You cannot change your date of birth by any means.
If your date of birth was incorrectly-recorded on your birth certificate (this can sometimes happen when a birth happens late at night but isn’t registered until the following morning, for example), then this can be corrected, but it’s rarely an easy process. You need to be able to prove that the information is incorrect, and what the correct information is (e.g. via an affidavit from the registering doctor) either to the local register office in which the birth was registered, or to the General Register Office. Either way, full details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/correct-birth-registration
If you simply want to “change” your date of birth like you might change your name – this simply isn’t permitted. Otherwise I could declare myself to be elderly and retire tomorrow (and children would declare themselves to be adults to get into bars!).
Thank you.
right am quite confused on what to choose atm. am 18, i wasn’t born in the uk but arrived in 2006 and now am currently a british citizen with a british passport too. neither of my parents were born in the uk but came here in the 1990s (we all come from uganda). i noticed that your site had the ‘parental immigrattion’ option and i was wondering if that’s the option i should choose inorder to get my name changed. please answer me as i need to change my details before going to uni. thanks
You can be sixteen and change your name without your parents’ permission (luckily for me, just thought I’d point that out hahaa)
But yeah, Thanks for the free template. :)
Hi, I recently got married and I need 3 deed polls for our children as they are in my maiden name. Could you offer me some help. Thank you.
Thanks for the link, until finding this site I have always been under the impression that a deed poll had to be paid for – you learn something new every day! I’m also interested in how I can change my childrens names without expense. Both parents give consent to the change. Any advice is greatly appreciated :)
Hi Dan, I am 17 years old and my parents have given me permission to change my name. I’ve noticed that you have to be 18+ to apply for the free deed poll. But I read somewhere on The Guardian (I think) that I can just print it out and attach a letter of consent written by my parents. Is this correct? Also, once I print out the deed poll, do I just send it to every organisation I need to inform of my name change and it’s sorted?
Thanks!
Hello.
My wife has just been naturalized as a British Citizen. She has already assumed my family name but wants to change her forenames and then apply for a passport. Can this be done with your free template and will the passport office accept it?
Ta.
Hi Bob,
I did that when I got marred – I wanted to change my middle names. I used one of Dan’s documents and had no trouble with the passport or anybody else.
Hi Dan
I was about to pay about 100GBP for the official deed poll that is linked from direct.gov (the Royal Courts of Justice one), but then I found the link to your website below. You seem like a clever guy to figure this all out and very kind to the effort of making this.
I’ve read your free deed poll guidance and I’m still worried that things are *this* easy. I compared the official deed poll form and they are pretty restrictive about who can be a witness. They ask for someone who is not your family, owns their own home in the UK, and who has known you for 10 years. I am wondering if there are any legal requirements for who can be a witness on other types of deed poll like this free one you have made?
Thanks a million again
X
There’s nothing more (or less) “official” about any deed poll than any other: don’t be fooled by those who’ll try to charge you!
Yes; it really is this easy. Legally-speaking, there’s no reason that you HAVE to have a witness at all. However, it dramatically increases the likelyhood that your deed will be accepted. If you do have witnesses (and you should!), then you should theoretically pick people who are reputable (which used to mean being male, over 21, owning property, etc., but now basically means being anybody who can be identified should the need arise) and unbiased (which means that you shouldn’t use a spouse or family member, or anybody who could conceivably have coerced you into signing).
If you look around the other “paid” deed poll sites (and there are lots of them, charging anywhere between £10 and £100), you’ll note that they all have different rules about witnesses!
When I changed my name, I took two of my friends down to the pub and bought each of them a pint in exchange for some signatures. When my partner changed her name, she used me and our lodger. Most of the folks I know (many of them from their feedback on my website) simply coralled any two friends and used them. And that’s all you need to do.
Thank you for the detailed reply. Its crazy how easy it is to do this. In most peoples’ mind they would say it is more difficult process. I’ve been thinking about who to ask and I’ve got people in mind… they both are paying mortgages so I think this will OK. Ah the things friends will do for beer =D
Respect to direct.gov for linking to your website, and to you of course for making it!
I just popped back to give some more info about what deed polls the passport office will accept for proof of a name change. The first time I phoned them and the man said that it had to be an “official” deed poll or the passport application would be rejected. He said that a deed poll which had not been witnessed by a solicitor or been issued by the High Court was not a legal document, which I knew not to be true after reading this page.
So then I emailed the passport people asking specifically if this free deed poll template would be accepted, and they said this:
“Deed polls obtained from the Internet can be accepted and an un-enrolled deed poll is acceptable providing the signature of the person changing their name has been witnessed. This does not need to be by a solicitor or commissioner of oaths. An un-enrolled deed poll can only be accepted however if it has been signed in both the new and the old name. If the deed poll is only showing the new signature it will be rejected and a new change of name deed with both signatures requested.”
So I guess it really is this easy to change your name. Also interesting that they seem to suggest that only one witness is needed. Once the new name is on the passport, no-one is going to be difficult I would imagine.
Peace,
Hi can I change my 7year old daughter name this way??
Hi Scatman Dan, could you help me please. I want to change my children’s surname as I recently married their father and they are in my maiden name. At the minute I can’t even change their names on their bank accounts without a deed poll. Please help. Many thanks.
Hiya Dan,
Brilliant, thank you! Makes the tedious (and, for me, incredibly stressful) process of changing one’s name slightly easier. It is, apparently, the only way I can assume my husband’s name in addition to my own. BUT! Your site has so much really useful information, but can I add something I don’t remember reading? It’s not a legal necessity to enrol a name change; it took me a while to work this out, including speaking to the unhelpful MoJ. Not meant as a criticism, but to make the site the best it can be.
Keep up the good work, and many many thanks.
Hi Dan.
I have used your website already and it works a treat. Will it be up and running again soon ?
I really need to buy you a beer. .
Thanks. I hope so! I’ve had a few technical hurdles after an upgrade to the server, but I hope to bring it back up again within the next couple of days. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Can you let us know how to donate to your beer fund.
That’s very sweet of you; but if you genuinely feel like the service was good enough to pay for, please consider giving a donation to your local branch of Samaritans or to the Great North Air Ambulance. They need your money more than my beer fund does!
Hey there. Love the site and thankyou for providing this service. Just wanted to know about people under 18 changing they’re name by deed poll as I presume you wouldn’t use this form as its for 18+. My sister is 17 and would like to change her name and I just wanted to find out information for doing this for her. Many thanks.
Hi Dan, I would like to change my 3 year old’s surname but none of the free sites that I have found cater for this. Is it possible? All the best, Lou
The next version of the website will support changing of children’s names. Sorry it doesn’t yet!
Is it worth waiting for the next version of the website or is it better to pay for an agency/website to do it? I only ask because it’s mentioned in an online article somewhere that it’s more complex to change a child’s name with the do-it-yourself approach. Any advice? We (wife and I) just want to add a middle name to our son’s name
Hi Dan,
an employee of mine has just produced her deed poll to us
she want to be known as £$^^^OLLLa 123¬¬¬¬ this it not pronounceable
could you please only allow the alphabet when people complete your form
Regards
Jimmy
Thanks for the tip, Shaun/Jimmy. I’ll try to include that in the next version. It’s not quite so simple, though, as accented letters, apostrophes, and hyphens are acceptable elements in a name (e.g. Siân O’Reilly Smith-Klein), and the site already indicates the necessity for pronounceability and the use of the Latin alphabet.
You have no obligation to accept your employee’s deed poll, given that she’s not met those criteria, as far as I am aware.
Hi Dan,
Do you know if your witnesses can be husband and wife.?
Thanks.
I can’t think of any reason why not, so long as there’s no risk that they could be accused of colluding to coerce you into signing the document (after which they’d be able to back each other up and claim you signed it of your own free will). Same as with any other witnesses, really.
hi i want to change my sons surname me n his dad both give our consent but do we have to pay to do this? any help will be great thank you.
It’s quite possible to change a child’s name for free, too. However, my website doesn’t have a template for this (yet! – it will in the next version, which is long-overdue: I’ve been busy with a new kid of our own to look after!). A quick Google found several templates, such as this one, which might meet your needs. Good luck!
Hi Dan! I’ve used your template twice now, the first time after separation but before divorce, more recently to save the expense of a wedding
Changing your name to that of your husband type person doesn’t give you the legal rights that marriage does though, so for that reason we splashed out on a will which was drawn up by a solicitor.
Indeed, you’re absolutely right. Unfortunately it isn’t always possible in the UK to gain all the same rights as a married couple without actually being married, simply by having a solicitor draw up some documents – for example, the rules about parental rights and responsibilities are complicated (and there are occasionally cases where the law takes a side that is contrary to the wishes of everybody involved!) but having a will is still a great idea.
And changing your name by deed poll rather than by marriage is a great way to symbolise your relationship (I’ve done the same myself, and I’ve helped many others to do so, too): well done!
Hi Dan!
I’ve searched everywhere on Google and I can’t seem to find any clear template or set wording for a child’s deed poll. I understand you are probably working on making a child’s deed poll form for your website. But, for now, please just advise me what else I should add or delete from the the adult deed poll template you’ve designed.
Thanks a bunch!
Just in case you need it, we’re two responsible parents. Thanks again.
Hi Dan,
I’m a naturalised British Citizen. I’m trying to create my own deedpoll but I’m a bit confused on which section applies to me on the British Nationality Act 1981?
Hope you can advice.
Thanks.
I presume it will be under Section 6(1).
Hi, I was really disappointed that the Natwest bank (Cirencester branch) would not accept the free deed poll. They apparently checked with their legal department and will only accept a deed poll that has been drawn up by a solicitor. This would set me back £75 +VAT!
I’ve heard a few bad things about NatWest, lately, which is bizarre because some of their branches (including mine!) have accepted deeds poll made by my tool without complaint. Suggest that you get government ID (e.g. passport, driving license) changed first, then go back to your bank with your new photographic government ID and explain to them that if you were to open a NEW bank account in your new name, then they’d let you… so why won’t they let you change the name on your existing account?
If they still cause trouble, ask to speak to the branch manager and re-explain the situation. Point out that every other bank on the high street would be more than happy to open an account for you in the name that now appears on your driving license, passport, bills etc., and ask if he or she would prefer that you bank with them, instead. Then, in the unlikely event that they haven’t seen sense – go elsewhere: you don’t want to be banking with somebody who doesn’t understand your rights as a British citizen anyway.
You might also like to show them this article from the Guardian, for which a representative of NatWest stated on the record that deeds poll created by freedeedpoll.org.uk were acceptable.
Hi, I’ve yet to present my free deedpoll. After my first divorce in 1990 I chose my own surname which was a legal name change – Montrose. I married again in 1996 but the marriage ended in 2009. As back up I still have my original deed poll from all those years ago and the Decree Absolute for both dissolved marriages, however, I’ve heard that only a deed poll would secure me changing my name back to Montrose. Does a “seal” really make that much difference as my first deed poll which a solicitor drew up is SO BASIC anyone could have forged it and it has no seal!
P.S. Thank you for your advice.
There’s no need for a seal on a deed. And generally, there’d be no value in forging a deed of name change, because it’s (basically) useless to anybody but you: all it is is a personal declaration that you’ll be using your new name (and expecting others to do the same) from now on – it’s only of any use to an identity thief who’s already capable of impersonating you perfectly (and for some reason wants to do so under a different name!).
A deed poll is the simplest and best way for you to change your name to your maiden name or to any other name you want. Give freedeedpoll.org.uk a go, and let me know how you get on! Good luck!
Hi.
I am British Citizen and I wish to change my name by deed poll but I am not sure under which clause. I got married to a British Citizen in 1993 but acquire my British Citizenship in 2002. Do I apply as a normal deed poll?
Hello!
I would like to change my title to “Mx”, when filling in the form do I just write the new and old titles in with my names?
Thanks for making the site, looks really useful :-)
You don’t need a deed poll to change your title: you can use any title you like, so long as it doesn’t imply a position or qualification you do not hold (e.g. you cannot legally call yourself Dr., Cpl., etc.). If you want to be known as Mx, then just start doing so. I myself use Mx. as my title in a handful of places.
If you really want, you can fill out a deed poll just as you describe, and some places – especially those which don’t acknowledge Mx. as a valid title – may appreciate this extra effort. Most folks don’t mention a title on their deeds poll at all, but there’s no reason that you can’t do exactly as you describe.
In short: 1. You don’t need to, just start using Mx. 2. But if you really want to, then yes, do exactly what you describe.
Thanks! :-) am changing my name as well so will do that, might be useful to have on there.
I’m not familiar with the legal requirements to calling yourself Captain in your title. Certainly, attaining that rank in the military would do so! It might be sufficient to simply be in charge of a vessel. I honestly don’t know. Again, titles are somewhat fluid and you don’t need a deed to change; the only relevant laws prohibit fraud, so I would speculate that it’s illegal to use the title “Captain” only if you do so in order to imply to anybody that you are a Captain (by any definition of the word).
But I’m not a lawyer: I only really know my way around a couple of specific areas of law, and fraud isn’t one of them. I’m afraid you’ll need to do your own research, or consult a legal professional, for that bit.
P.S. What would I need to legally get the title “Capn”?
Hi Dan, thanks for this site. I am also looking to change my kids names, can I do this the same way as an adult can?
Hi Becca,
I’m afraid not; but there are templates available for children’s names. I’ll email you more details.
Hi Dan, excellent website by the way! We have to change one letter in our surname, 3 adults and 3 children. Could you kindly email some info about templates for changing the children’s surnames please? We were going to have to pay a small fortune for all of us, until I came across your website. Many thanks again, and I look forward to hearing from you
Hi don’t know if this thread is still live but could I please have the children templates?
They’re right below your comment.
FOR A CHILD, do the following. [Instructions on how to edit document below]
____________________
– REPLACE THIS –
“made by myself the undersigned [New Name] of [Address] formerly known as [Old Name]”
– WITH THIS FOR TWO PARENTS –
“made by ourselves the undersigned [Mother’s Name] (mother) and [Father’s Name] (father) of [Address], on behalf of our [son/daughter] [Child’s New Name] formerly known as [Child’s Old Name]”
– OR WITH THIS FOR SINGLE PARENT –
“made by myself the undersigned [Mother/Father’s Name] (mother/father) of [Address], on behalf of my [son/daughter] [Child’s New Name] formerly known as [Child’s Old Name]”
AND
– REPLACE THIS –
“I ABSOLUTELY and entirely renounce”…
– WITH THIS FOR TWO PARENTS –
“WE ABSOLUTELY and entirely, on behalf of our said [son/daughter], renounce”…
– OR WITH THIS FOR SINGLE PARENT –
“I ABSOLUTELY and entirely, on behalf of my said [son/daughter], renounce”…
AND
– REPLACE THIS –
“I SHALL AT ALL TIMES hereafter, in all records”…
– WITH THIS FOR TWO PARENTS –
“WE SHALL AT ALL TIMES hereafter, on behalf of our said [son/daughter], in all records”…
– OR WITH THIS FOR SINGLE PARENT –
“I SHALL AT ALL TIMES hereafter, on behalf of my said [son/daughter], in all records”…
AND
– REPLACE THIS –
“I AUTHORISE AND REQUIRE all persons at all times to designate, describe, and address me by the adopted name of [New Name]”
– WITH THIS FOR TWO PARENTS –
“WE AUTHORISE AND REQUIRE, on behalf of our said [son/daughter], that all persons at all times designate, describe, and address [him/her] by the adopted name of [Child’s New Name]”
– OR WITH THIS FOR SINGLE PARENT –
“I AUTHORISE AND REQUIRE, on behalf of my said [son/daughter], that all persons at all times designate, describe, and address [him/her] by the adopted name of [Child’s New Name]”
AND
– REPLACE THIS –
“IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto subscribed my adopted and substituted name of [New Name] and also my said former name of [Old Name].”
– WITH THIS FOR TWO PARENTS –
“IN WITNESS whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names, [Mother’s Name] and [Father’s name] on behalf of the above named [Child’s New Name].”
– OR WITH THIS FOR SINGLE PARENT –
“IN WITNESS whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, [Mother’s Name] on behalf of the above named [Child’s New Name].”
AND
– REPLACE THIS –
“by the above name
[New Name]”
“by the above name
[Old Name]”
– WITH THIS FOR TWO PARENTS –
“by the above name
[Mother’s Name]”
“by the above name
[Father’s Name]”
– WITH THIS FOR SINGLE PARENT –
“by the above name
[Mother/Father’s Name]”
[Delete the “Old Name” signature line]
____________________
NOTE: To edit the PDF document, save/download it to your computer and open it using MS Word; it’ll be automatically converted. The signature boxes might be a little messed up. If so, just delete them and create your own ones using tables and borders or using shapes.
Thanks to Dan.
does this work in the case of a child with three people who all have parental responsibility? (mother, father, step father)
My hypothesis is that it should, but I’m no expert and I haven’t done what you describe. Ofcourse, you must add a third parent’s name.
I came to this site after half a year. It’s quite a coincidence that you asked this just 5 days ago.
The signatories of a child’s deed poll has nothing to do with parental responsibility and everything to do with birth, in almost all circumstances. I.e. you usually need the birth mother and biological father’s signatures, OR the legally adoptive parent(s) signatures, regardless of who actually cares for, has parental responsibility for, or has custody over the child. There are exceptions, but they’re even more complicated.
In short, I’d only recommend making your own deed poll for a child if you’re very confident that you’re a “simple” case. Otherwise, speak to a solicitor or a specialist service. Get multiple quotes.
Hey I live in Scotland and wanted to change both of my sons surnames and delete middle names how do I go about doing this? I’m so confused by it all, also can you have this changed on your child’s birth certificate? My kids have my surname and I want them changed to their fathers surname
Thank you
Hi dan I’m having issues trying to find a template to change my childrens surname can you help ?
I have sole responsibility for them and am changing my surname into my partners surname please could you help me
thanks in advance x
Hey Dan, first of all thanks for this great service and for spreading the word about how easy it is to change your name with out being ripped off. I will be printing off my deedpoll using your template this week. First though I have a couple of queries.
a) does it not matter about the witnesses postcode, will the deedpoll still get accepted by dvla etc with just a street name and town?
b) does the deedpoll need to have some sort of red sticker/seal from a stationers?
Thankyou
Hi i want to change my childrens names, i have sole responibility for one joint for the other (with fathers consent) how do i do this myself? Thanks
Another visitor has posted a template, available at http://www.scatmania.org/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-85003, which explains what to change to make a deed poll from my site suitable for children: perhaps give that a go?
A later version of the freedeedpoll.org.uk site, still under construction, will one day automate the process for you, but for now that comment is your best bet, I suspect.
Hi, I’m getting married this year but don’t want to lose my maiden name completely! So I will have my partners surname however wanted to have my maiden name added as a middle name. Can I do this using your free deed poll? Also can I have it dated on the wedding date? So that I can then sign my marriage certificate and deed poll on same day? Thanks v much :)
I’ll reply by email.
Maintaining your Maiden Name as a Middle Name-
Thanks for your reply. However, I’ve just found out that using maiden name as a middle name – you don’t need to change by deed poll! You can make this change on your marriage certificate… And that is acceptable for passport/dvla and banks. So don’t need to do this after all, can just use marriage certificate to change maiden name to middle name :)
A big thank you to you Dan! I used your free template to change my name. I am currently expecting a child with my current partner and, while we can’t currently afford the wedding we’d like, we want to all share the same surname when our child is born. Thanks to you I didn’t have to waste my money on one of these companies claiming to be ‘official’, and my diy deed poll has been accepted by DVLA, both my banks, car finance company and, while it is still in processing, have been told that it will be accepted for my new passport too. Absolutely delighted!! :)
Hi and thanks for the service, I nearly paid for it! I’ve noticed on the normal deed poll that it quotes “section 37(1) of the British Nationailty Act” however when I look to do it through the Ministry of Justice it says to use “section 1(1)”. Please can you check this?
Hi Dan. Thank you so much for a wonderful site.
I will definitely donate to the Samaritans and the Great North Air Ambulance!
Just wanted to ask- I want to change the first name of my baby are these deed polls accepted outside of the UK?
I’m afraid that I can’t answer that conclusively, but in short: I wouldn’t rely on it. The value of a deed poll is in showing your commitment to your new name, so that you can subsequently acquire strong primary sources of identification (such as passports, driving licenses, doctor’s records, bank accounts etc.) in your new name; these in turn are very-widely accepted outside of the UK. Hope that helps.
I’ve used this service for lots of places, including the banks. The 2 places that keep refusing it (and costing me a fortune in the mean time) is the Passport Office and DVLA. They’re both stating it needs to be signed by a solicitor or notary public. Any hints? The amount it’s cost me in postage it’d have been cheaper to pay for a deed poll, but I don’t want to on principle now. DVLA will accept a change of name if my passport changes so I just need the Passport Office to apply their rules consistently.
(Did my previous comment get eaten? Sorry if this appears twice!)
I’ve used this service for lots of places, including the banks. The 2 places that keep refusing it (and costing me a fortune in the mean time) is the Passport Office and DVLA. They’re both stating it needs to be signed by a solicitor or notary public. Any hints? The amount it’s cost me in postage it’d have been cheaper to pay for a deed poll, but I don’t want to on principle now. DVLA will accept a change of name if my passport changes so I just need the Passport Office to apply their rules consistently.
Hi, I have sole parental responsibility of my son & am wanting to change his surname. Any advise on how to do this please? Struggling to find the relevant form online. Thank you.
http://www.scatmania.org/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-85003
Hi
Any ideas when the site will be back up?
I just keep getting messages about it being moved?
Thanks
Hi Dan,
Just want to say a big thank you. Everything has been changed without question.
I am a UK-born British citizen but not currently resident in the UK. What changes do i need to make to the deed poll text? for instance the ” in the County of” is not applicable?
Thank you
Hello, I’m sure you have answered this question a million times but the government website suggests I will need to pay £102 for a certificate so that I can change my name on my passport. Is this wrong?
Thanks.
K
Yes, that’s wrong. Many people have used cheaper (tens of pounds) or free (like mine) deeds poll in order to change their name. However, note that you will have to pay to renew your passport (currently between £46 and £85.50), as normal, and while you’ll be credited with extra lifespan on it if your old one hasn’t expired yet, this caps out at 9 months, so if your existing passport has more than 9 months left on it then you will end up losing out slightly. However, the deed poll itself is free.
Hi Dan,
Thanks for taking the time to make this. I will certainly be using it. One thing I’ve noticed from other [free or otherwise] providers is that they tend to note the occupation of the signed witnesses. Is this something that you’d consider adding onto your Deed Poll generator?
Hey man,
Thanks for your free tool, I hope that everyone who has benefited from this prays for you.
Regards
Hi.. I’m trying to change my daughter’s surname back to the one on her birth certificate. The Solicitor is quoting £75 +vat for the privilege. Then a further 300 for registering it As the original deed poll back in 2002 was registered and apparently this needs to be too. Can an ordinary deed poll I do myself suffice? I can’t seem to find a child template online.
I generated a deed poll from your website today and it seems that my Postcode and Section number of the British Nationality Act are missing from the first paragraph.
Is this your intention? Will you in anytime soon provide an updated version of your tool adding these information on?
Thanks!
Hi I am trying to get a template for a child’s deed poll as I lost my original from 3 years ago. Have you been able to sort out getting one available? Many Thanks Kyle
Please see this comment: https://danq.me/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-182452
Dear Dan,
I’ve seen many people asking you. What about if they’re not British citizens. In my case legl just not british naturalised yet. Can we still use you’re website to legally change my name and my children’s names?!
I look forward to hear from from you.
Dear Dan,
I’ve seen many people asking you. What about if they’re not British citizens. In my case legl just not british naturalised yet. Can we still use you’re website to legally change my name and my children’s names?!
I look forward to hear from you Dan.
Kind regards
Hi I have two little girls they both have double barrelled surnames but I want to remove one and just leave mine I have written consent from there dad just can’t seem to find any ways for a child deed poll that’s free. I don’t mind paying just wanted to make sure it was legit or if you know any ways that is legit please
Please see this comment: https://danq.me/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-182452
Hi Dan
Great job you’re doing here. As many above I need a change if name deed for a child. Would really appreciate if you have any thanks.
Harry
Please see this comment: https://danq.me/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-182452
Hi Dan,
Great site my man, thank you!
Dan, l think l have a problem, about forty years ago l changed my name, partly as l hated my father and didn’t psychologically, want to be any part of him. However, as this was done so very long ago, lve completely lost the original (£25, in the 70’s) Deed Poll and the solicitor is dead.
Am l allowed to changed my name again please?
Finally if l do change by Deed Poll can l use an Arabic name as lve just converted to lslam.
I’ve donated to GNAA btw as a way of thanking you.
Best wishes, Stef.
You can change your name as often as you like. Do it lots/frequently and you’re likely to hit roadblocks and extra checks that you’re not committing fraud, though!
To be accepted for inclusion on government ID (e.g. passport, driving license) as well as by many organisations (including banks) your name must be written in the Latin alphabet only. You can, however, have an Arabic name that you transliterate into English for the purposes of your ID/bank accounts etc.
Hi. I am also interested in changing my childrens names. All help greatly appreciated!!!
Please see this comment: https://danq.me/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-182452
Hi can you help me change my daughters name with this deed pole template? Thank you.
Please see this comment: https://danq.me/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-182452
Hi can you help me change my daughters name by deed poll? Thankyou!
Please see this comment: https://danq.me/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-182452
Hi,
Do I need two witnesses specifically or is one enough?
Hi, I am helping a friend change their son’s surname, I have completed the form and printed out but its asking for a signature for the child. As he is only 4 what do we do here please would they need to pay on a different site? Thanks
how can I change my child’s name? I cant seem to find a way to do it here
Please see this comment: https://danq.me/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-182452
Thank you for this and apologies if these questions have already been covered:
– Can EU nationals change their name in the UK exactly as British nationals?
– Can banks demand government registered deed polls, or are they legally required to accept my own deed poll?
Thanks!
This advice only applies to people holding British citizenship. Foreign/EU nationals might have success, but they’re likely to meet resistance and be asked to present ID from their native country (thereby proving that their name has changed there, too). In particular, the Passport Office have a policy that they won’t change the name on the British passport of a dual-national unless the holder proves that they’re changing their name on any other passports they hold, too (except under very special circumstances, at their discretion).
Banks – and everybody else! – don’t strictly have any legal obligation to accept ANY change of name document, regardless of its type and origin. However, it’s widely-accepted that they will. However, since the regulations of the GDPR/DPA2018, so long as you can get government records changed (passport, driving license, electoral roll, council tax, HMRC etc.), you can very easily demand that a bank updates your details under a “right to rectification” request. I.e. you can point out that the government accepts that your name has changed and require that they correct their records in-line with that, under threat that you’ll sic the ICO on them otherwise (who can fine them literally millions, although they probably won’t).
This aggressive stance was helpful in this case against Santander, which resulted in the customer (who used a deed poll from freedeedpoll.org.uk) having their record updated as well as receiving compensation and a promise that Santander would update their training documentation to ensure that these deeds poll are accepted in future.
I’ve just tried this at Natwest and they’ve refused me. I explained to them that it’s all legal and they say it has to be “registered” to be accepted. Same goes for DVLA. I’m at a loss.
Hope you’re all good now? Anything up the penis can’t be good :/
Hi Dan
I found your free deedpole application via the interesting Guardian article.
I would just like to ask you if Lloyds bank will accept this free deedpole? I ask because I noticed some comments here which suggested that HSBC have refused this deedpole.
I recently phoned lloyds twice, and neither assistant fully understood. They simply said “we requier an official deedpole”.
I just don’t want things to become problematic with agencies not accepting this dedpole once I start the ball rolling.
Thanks
Following on from my previous commment: Today I went into a Lloyds branch and they confirmed they don’t accept deedpoles made by oneself, only official deedpoles with the official red crest or something, which you send off for via gov.uk. I asked to speak to someone else and I even explained the Guardian article, but I got the same answer.
This is pretty gutting news. If I go through gov.uk, details of the name change are publicly recorded, which I don’t want to happen.
I honestly don’t understand what I have to do. My name certainly doesn’t feel like my own :(
Hi Dan
Do you know is a deed poll has to be signed by 2 witnesses or is 1 acceptable?
Also does the signature and date need to be in ink to make it ‘legal’
In theory, no witnesses are required, but in practice it’s advisable to have one, or ideally two, who can vouch for your presence and signing of it in case of any later disputes, and some organisations are reasonably less-likely to accept unwitnessed or under-witnessed deeds poll as a result.
You can go ahead with an unwitnessed deed poll if you like, but expect to have a harder battle getting it recognised by authorities.
As with any signature, it’s highly-advisable not to use an erasable medium, like pencil.
Hello,
can I get a template to change my 8 years son name please?
Please see this comment: https://danq.me/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-182452
Hiya
Amazing website you have ,your helping a lot of people. :)
I want to change my daughter middle name she’s nearly 5 years old :) and will i he able to change this on her birth certificate ? please could i have a template .
Except under very unusual circumstances, for which you will certainly require legal advice, it is not possible to change the name printed on a birth certificate.
Hi Dan,
I want to change my son name but I can’t find a child deed poll template.
Please see this comment: https://danq.me/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-182452
Hi Dan
I’ve noticed that other sites state that the following should be added to the Deed Poll
“Notwithstanding the decision of Mr Justice Vaisey in Re: Parrott, Cox v Parrott, the applicant desires the enrolment to proceed”.
Is this necessary and, if so, will you be adding it to your Deed of Change of Name?
This is automatically added to your deed poll generated by freedeedpoll.org.uk if you tick the “First name changed?” box. Mr Justice Vaisey set precedent for England and Wales in the case specified by stating that he did not believe it was possible for a person’s Christian name to change.
For this reason, many deeds poll (and especially those for which the first name is changed, particularly if they want to be enrolled) carry the message you describe, which is basically saying “I know that legal precedent has been set to say this is not possible, but I disagree and I’ve changed my name anyway.” The joys of a Common Law system!
Hello,
I have just used your service for my husband and myself but we would like to change our son’s name. I have the forms from gov.uk for a child’s deed poll but due to lockdown cannot have them authorised by a solicitor. Is there a way to change a child’s name without using the government system?
I’m not a lawyer, and so this doesn’t constitute legal advice, but:
To the best of my knowledge, there’s no reason that a deed poll for a child under the age of 16 couldn’t be signed by the parents and that would be sufficient: no need for a solicitor, just as with an adult deed poll. A commenter at https://danq.me/projects/freedeedpoll/#comment-85003 has provided instructions on modifying my template to do that, if you’d like. Note that understanding who the “parents” are is really important for a child’s deed poll: it’s NORMALLY all of the adults named on the child’s birth certificate (regardless of who has custody or guardianship), but in cases of adoption, re-marriage, divorce etc. can be more complicated than that: for example a parent who re-marries usually needs the birth parent’s authority to change their children’s names, even if the birth parent is otherwise estranged from them!
I’ve spoken to people who’ve successfully used the information at the link in the paragraph above to change their child(ren)s names via deed poll, so it certainly enjoys mainstream acceptance. But I’m afraid you’re mostly on your own. However, I’d be very interested to hear about your experience if you go down this route, and possibly to share what we learn with others in your position: get in touch and let me know!
Good luck!
Hi Dan, thanks for the wonderful website service – I wondered if you knew whether it would be possible to have the ‘witnessing’ of the deed poll done remotely – ie. by posting the signed deed poll to the witnesses?
Many thanks,
DH
So long as they actually witness you signing the original before you post it, e.g. via a video call, I can’t see any problem (and indeed I’ve witnessed a deed poll in this way!).
Thank you muchly :)
Hi Dan,
Thank you for providing this great service and helping so many people. Can I ask, will this be acceptable for Scotland and can I use it for the passport office?
Thanks
Hi All
Will this be accepted at places like the Bank or the passport office? Really confused by how to complete a deedpoll that will be accepted by these institutions.
There’s no guarantee that ANY deed poll will be accepted by any institution. That’s up to the institution in question, not the deed poll.
However, deeds poll from freedeedpoll.org.uk have a long history of being widely-accepted by the passport office, DVLA, NHS, schools, employers, virtually all high street banks (and I can help you work-around any that cause you trouble, see e.g. this blog post).
Drop me an email if there’s anything I can do to help with your name change.
There are only two boxes, ‘old name’ and ‘new name’. I am changing my surname and keeping my current surname as an additional middle name. But there are no boxes distinguishing first names/middle names/surnames, so how will the deep poll be generated if I have to put my whole name in only one box? It cannot know which names belong to first, middle or last?
Put any middle names into the first name box, after your first name.
Oh, sorry, I understand what you’re asking now. There’s no need to differentiate first and surnames on a deed poll. Just write your full name as it is, and how it will be.
Thanks for this tool. I recently changed my name and had no issues, it was super easy and cheap!
Hi please can you send me a free template to change a child’s surname, I’ve used the adults one on your site before and worked but can’t find a child’s template!
every time i try and save or open the generated deed poll all i get is a long stream of code NO DEED POLL.
Sorry you’re having difficulty. It sounds likely that your web browser is not correctly-configured to show a PDF file, and so it’s rendering the PDF file’s internal code right out into your browser window.
Could you try using a different web browser? Meanwhile, I’ll look into a way of making the tool a bit smarter to help people in your position better in future.