Deed Poll UK: How to Change Your Name Legally

At a glance

• Unenrolled deed poll: available from age 16, made yourself or through an agency/solicitor, valid immediately, and accepted by HM Passport Office, the DVLA and HMRC.
• Enrolled deed poll: available from age 18 (or for a child, applied for by a parent/guardian), lodged with the High Court's Deed Poll Office, and published as a public notice in The Gazette.
• Cost to enrol: check GOV.UK for the current fee — court fees are reviewed and changed periodically, and the fee for a related family court application (form C100) rose on 13 July 2026, so a figure quoted anywhere else may already be out of date.
• Changing a child's name: everyone with parental responsibility must consent in writing, or you need a Family Court order.
• Processing time to enrol: GOV.UK says it can take several weeks; you cannot chase a progress update until 16 weeks after you apply.
• Legal basis for enrolment: the Enrolment of Deeds (Change of Name) Regulations 1994 (as amended in 2005 to cover civil partnerships), administered by the Deed Poll Office at the Royal Courts of Justice.
• Registered offenders: if you're a registered sex, violent or terrorist offender, you must tell the police within 3 days of changing your name — failing to do so is itself a criminal offence.
• After the deed: update your passport, DVLA driving licence and HMRC records — each has its own process and, in most cases, no name-change surcharge.

What a deed poll is

A deed poll is a legal document recording that you have given up your old name and adopted a new one, and that you'll use the new name for all purposes from that point on. It's a deed rather than a contract, which is why it binds only the person making it.

There are two routes in England and Wales. An unenrolled deed poll is made by the person changing their name (or a specialist agency or solicitor on their behalf) and takes effect immediately on signing. An enrolled deed poll is additionally lodged with the High Court and published in The Gazette, creating a public record. Both are legally valid; enrolment is optional unless a specific organisation you're dealing with insists on it.

The rules for enrolment are set out in the Enrolment of Deeds (Change of Name) Regulations 1994, which govern how deeds evidencing a change of name are enrolled at the Central Office of the Supreme Court (now the King's Bench Division of the High Court). Those Regulations were amended in 2005 to reflect the introduction of civil partnerships under the Civil Partnership Act 2004 — for example, updating how an applicant's marital or civil partnership status is treated.

What you can and cannot change by deed poll

GOV.UK sets clear limits on what a deed poll can and cannot do, and it's worth checking before you draft one:

• You can: change any part of your name, add or remove names, add or remove hyphens, or change the spelling.
• Your new name must: be pronounceable, and must not include symbols, numbers or punctuation — unless it's a hyphenated name or part of an established name (GOV.UK gives the example of O'Hara). It must not be offensive or against the public interest, such as adding "Ltd" to the end of a personal name.
• You cannot use a deed poll to: change which letters in your name are capitalised, or change a title such as Mr, Mrs, Sir, Lady or Doctor.
• If you're a permanent resident overseas, you cannot change your name by deed poll at all — this route is only available to people living in England and Wales.
• Different rules apply in Scotland, where a name change is recorded through National Records of Scotland rather than a deed poll.

When you don't need a deed poll: marriage, civil partnership and divorce

Not every name change needs a deed poll. If you're taking your spouse's or civil partner's surname on marriage, GOV.UK confirms you don't need one — send a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate to each organisation that holds your details instead.

The same applies in reverse. If you divorce or your civil partnership ends and you want to revert to your previous name, you can usually do this by showing organisations your marriage certificate together with your decree absolute (or your civil partnership certificate together with your final order). The catch: some organisations will not change your name back without a deed poll, so it's worth asking before you assume the certificates alone will be enough.

Unenrolled or enrolled deed poll: which do you need?

For most people, an unenrolled deed poll is enough. GOV.UK's own guidance sets out the wording to use: a short declaration that you've given up your old name, adopted the new one for all purposes, and (where relevant) told the police if you're a registered offender. You need two witnesses aged 18 or over — organisations often won't accept a witness who lives at your address or is a close relative.

Before assuming an unenrolled deed poll will do, check with any organisation that has a strict identity policy. GOV.UK is explicit that some banks, mobile phone companies and energy providers may only accept an enrolled deed poll as proof of your new name. If in doubt, ask the organisation directly rather than guessing.

| | Unenrolled deed poll | Enrolled deed poll | |---|---|---| | Minimum age | 16 | 18 (16–17 only via the child process, or if already married or in a civil partnership) | | Who prepares it | You, a specialist agency, or a solicitor | You apply online or by post to the High Court's Deed Poll Office | | Cost | Free if you prepare it yourself | Check GOV.UK for the current court fee | | Takes effect | Immediately on signing | Once the Deed Poll Office approves and seals it | | Typical processing time | A day or two to prepare, sign and witness | Several weeks; no progress update available until 16 weeks after applying | | Public record | No | Yes — published in The Gazette | | Typically accepted by | HM Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC, most banks | All of the above, plus organisations that specifically require enrolment |

An enrolled deed poll is the better choice if:

• an organisation you deal with specifically requires one,
• you want a public record for immigration, overseas, or other official purposes, or
• you simply want the added formality of a court-administered process.

Changing a child's name by deed poll

To change the name of a child under 18, a parent or guardian applies to enrol a deed poll with the High Court, or (for a 16 or 17 year old) the young person can make their own unenrolled deed poll.

The key legal requirement is consent: you need the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility for the child, or a court order. GOV.UK's guidance is clear that you must try to reach an agreement before applying to court.

For an enrolled application, GOV.UK sends four forms once your application is reviewed:

| Form | Purpose | Signed in front of | |---|---|---| | LOC022 | The deed poll itself (minor's change of name deed) | 2 witnesses | | LOC023 | Affidavit of best interest, completed by someone with parental responsibility | A solicitor or authorised witness | | LOC024 | Statutory declaration supporting the change | A solicitor or authorised witness | | LOC028 | Exhibit cover sheet | A solicitor or authorised witness |

Once your child's enrolment is approved, GOV.UK also uses form LOC026 — the Gazette notice for a minor's change of name — to publish the change, in the same way LOC025 is used for an adult.

If the child is 16 or 17, GOV.UK also requires a signed letter from them confirming they agree to the change, witnessed by an independent adult who isn't related to them. If a 16 or 17 year old is or has been married or in a civil partnership, they follow the adult enrolment process instead of the child process.

If you can't reach agreement: the Family Court route

If agreement can't be reached, the route is a specific issue order — you apply using form C100 to the family court that deals with children's cases, and the court decides based on the child's best interests, not the parents' preferences. HM Courts & Tribunals Service increased a range of family and civil court fees, including the C100 fee, on 13 July 2026 — always check GOV.UK for the current amount before you apply, rather than relying on a figure quoted here or elsewhere; help with fees may be available if you're on benefits or a low income.

How enrolling a deed poll works: the High Court and The Gazette

To enrol a deed poll, you apply online or by post to the Deed Poll Office, King's Bench Division, Room E15, at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London. You'll need to provide a copy of your birth certificate, passport or naturalisation certificate, plus supporting documents if you're married, divorced or widowed.

| Step | What happens | Form(s) | |---|---|---| | 1. Apply | Apply online or by post to the Deed Poll Office | — | | 2. Complete the forms | HMCTS emails or posts you the forms once your application is reviewed | LOC020 (the deed), LOC021 (statutory declaration), LOC027 (exhibit cover sheet) | | 3. Sign and witness | LOC020 is signed in front of 2 witnesses; LOC021 and LOC027 are signed in front of a solicitor or another authorised witness | — | | 4. Post the forms and pay | Send the completed forms to the Deed Poll Office and pay the enrolment fee (check GOV.UK for the current amount) | — | | 5. Approval and Gazette notice | Once approved, a public record is published in The Gazette (form LOC025 for an adult) and your sealed deed is posted back to you | — |

The statutory declaration itself is sworn under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835, which makes it a criminal offence to knowingly declare something false.

Once your application is approved, a public record of your new name and address is published in The Gazette (unless a judge agrees to restrict what's published for a strong stated reason), and the Deed Poll Office seals your deed and posts it back to you. That sealed deed is your proof of the name change.

Worked examples

Example: Priya's unenrolled deed poll

Priya, a fictional adult, wants to drop her married surname after her divorce and go back to a name she's chosen herself, not her birth name (so her marriage certificate and decree absolute alone won't do — she needs a deed poll). She downloads the GOV.UK wording, fills in her old and new names, and signs it in front of two witnesses: a colleague and a neighbour, neither of whom is related to her or lives at her address. The deed poll takes effect the moment it's signed. Over the following fortnight she sends copies to HMRC, her bank, her employer and HM Passport Office, and applies for a new driving licence using form D1. She never goes near a court, and the whole process — signing to having her passport updated — takes about three weeks.

Example: the Okafor family's enrolled child deed poll

Mr and Mrs Okafor, fictional parents, both have parental responsibility for their eight-year-old son and agree, in writing, to change his surname to reflect a recent family change. Because they want the change formally recorded — their son's new school has asked for a public record — they apply to enrol a deed poll with the High Court. HMCTS reviews the application and sends forms LOC022, LOC023, LOC024 and LOC028. Mrs Okafor, who has parental responsibility, completes the affidavit of best interest (LOC023). The deed itself (LOC022) is signed in front of two witnesses; the other three forms are signed in front of a solicitor. Because both parents agreed from the outset, there's no need for a Family Court application. Around six weeks after posting the completed forms, the Deed Poll Office seals the deed, and a notice is published in The Gazette on form LOC026.

Common mistakes when changing your name by deed poll

• Assuming an unenrolled deed poll will be accepted everywhere. Most organisations accept one, but some banks, mobile phone providers and energy companies specifically require an enrolled deed poll. Ask before you commit to a route.
• Using a witness who lives with you or is a close relative. GOV.UK's own wording doesn't ban this, but many organisations will refuse to accept the deed poll on that basis — use two independent witnesses aged 18 or over wherever possible.
• Expecting your birth certificate to change. It never does — it's a historical record. Plan to carry both your deed poll and your birth certificate together where an organisation needs to see the full history.
• Trying to change a title or capitalisation with a deed poll. GOV.UK is explicit that a deed poll cannot be used to add or change a title (Dr, Sir, Lady, and so on) or to change which letters are capitalised.
• Missing the 16-week rule when enrolling. The Deed Poll Office will not give a progress update before 16 weeks have passed — chasing earlier won't speed anything up, so plan around the delay rather than around an update.
• Forgetting the registered-offender duty. If it applies to you, notifying the police is a separate legal requirement from making the deed poll itself, and missing it is a criminal offence in its own right.
• Not budgeting time for updating every record separately. There's no single "master update" — passport, driving licence, V5C, HMRC, bank, employer, GP and pension providers all need to be told individually, and each has its own process and timescale.
• Assuming a decree absolute alone restores your old name everywhere. It usually works, but some organisations will insist on a deed poll before reverting your name, even after a divorce.
• Relying on a fee figure you saw somewhere else. Court fees, including the enrolment fee and the C100 fee, are reviewed periodically and changed with little notice — the C100 fee itself rose on 13 July 2026. Always check GOV.UK for the amount that applies on the day you pay.

Updating your passport, driving licence, HMRC and other records

Once you have your executed deed poll, you can start notifying the organisations that hold your details. There's no single legally required order, but most people find it easier to update official identity documents first.

| Record | What to do | Cost | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | Passport | Apply for a new 10-year passport in your new name, sending your deed poll as evidence | £102 online / £115.50 by paper application (adult, from within the UK) — check GOV.UK, as fees changed on 8 April 2026 | No countersignature is needed purely for a name change; other evidence of use (such as a payslip or council letter) may be requested in some cases | | Driving licence | Send DVLA form D1 (car/motorbike) or D2 (lorry/bus), your old photocard licence, and original supporting documents to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BN | Free for a name change alone | £17 if you also want to change your photo at the same time; £20 if your old licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed. You can keep driving while you wait for the new one | | V5C vehicle registration | Update separately if you own a vehicle | Free | Often overlooked — updating your driving licence does not automatically update your V5C | | HMRC | Tell HMRC through your personal tax account, the HMRC app, or by contacting them directly | Free | Updates your Income Tax and National Insurance records | | Banks, employer, GP, pension providers, insurers | Contact each one separately | Varies | Some accept a copy of your deed poll, others want to see the original |

What it costs

| Item | Cost | Notes | |---|---|---| | Unenrolled deed poll (self-made) | Free | You only pay if you choose a specialist agency or solicitor to prepare it | | Enrolled deed poll (adult or child) | Check GOV.UK for the current fee | Payable to HM Courts & Tribunals Service; published in full on the EX50 fees schedule | | Court order for a child's name (form C100, specific issue order) | Check GOV.UK for the current fee | Rose on 13 July 2026; fee help available if you're on benefits or a low income | | Driving licence update | Free | £17 to also change your photo; £20 if your old licence is lost, stolen or destroyed | | Passport application | £102 online / £115.50 by paper (adult, from within the UK) | No separate surcharge for a name change; check GOV.UK, as fees changed on 8 April 2026 |

Court and government fees are reviewed periodically — always check GOV.UK for the current amount before you pay, rather than relying on figures in this guide or elsewhere.

Deed poll documents and forms on this site

If you're preparing a specific form as part of the enrolment process, these guides cover the individual documents in more detail:

• Form LOC020: change of name deed — the enrolled deed poll form itself, for adults.
• Statutory declaration for an adult (LOC021) — the sworn statement that supports an adult's enrolled application.
• London Gazette notice for an adult (LOC025) — the notice published once an adult's enrolment is approved.
• Minor's change of name deed (LOC022) — the enrolled deed poll form for a child's name change.
• Affidavit of best interest (LOC023) — the sworn statement, completed by someone with parental responsibility, confirming the change is in the child's best interests.
• Statutory declaration for a minor (LOC024) — the supporting declaration for a child's enrolled application.

This guide provides general information about deed polls in England and Wales. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for advice tailored to your specific circumstances, especially where a child's other parent won't consent or your situation involves an overseas element. The law described was accurate as at August 2026 and is subject to change — always check GOV.UK and legislation.gov.uk for the most current position.

Last reviewed: August 2026 by a non-practising solicitor · Next review due: August 2027 or on legislative change.