Deed Poll Form LOC020 UK: Change Your Name Legally
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Changing your name is a surprisingly big decision, and the paperwork that makes it official matters more than people realise. Form LOC020 is the deed poll used by adults in England and Wales who want their new name recorded at the Central Office of the Senior Courts, which is often referred to as 'enrolling' the deed.
Enrolment is not strictly required to start using a new name, but for many people it creates a permanent public record that government bodies, banks, and employers tend to accept without question. This guide walks through what the form contains, who can use it, what to think about before signing, and what happens once the deed is in place.
If something on the form feels unclear before you commit, a short call with an experienced legal adviser can help you think it through based on what you describe.
What this document is
Form LOC020 is the formal deed used when someone aged 18 or over wants to change their name and have that change entered on the public record at the Royal Courts of Justice. A deed poll is simply a legal declaration made by one person, and this particular version is the one the Senior Courts accept for enrolment.
By signing it, you are doing three things: giving up your previous name, adopting the new one, and promising to use the new name in everything you do going forward. The deed itself is short, but it has to be completed precisely, signed in front of a witness, and submitted with the other paperwork the Senior Courts require, including a statutory declaration of support.
Once enrolled, the new name is published in the London Gazette and held as an official record. Many people use an unenrolled deed poll instead, which is cheaper and quicker, but enrolment offers a level of formality that some organisations prefer, particularly for overseas use.
How to use this document
- Decide whether enrolment is right for you. An unenrolled deed poll is usually enough for day to day purposes such as updating a passport, driving licence, or bank account. Enrolment through LOC020 creates a permanent public record at the Senior Courts and publication in the London Gazette, which can be useful if you travel widely or want a more formal trail.
- Gather your details accurately. You will need your full current name exactly as it appears on official records, your full new name, your address, and your status such as single, married, civil partner, widowed, divorced, or with a civil partnership dissolved. Any small discrepancy between the deed and your ID documents can cause delays at the enrolment stage.
- Complete the declaration carefully. The body of the deed contains three undertakings: to abandon the former name, to adopt and use the new one, and to be known by the new name in all records, documents, dealings, and transactions. Read the wording slowly before signing, because it is a binding promise about how you hold yourself out going forward.
- Sign in front of a witness. The deed must be signed by you and by a witness who is not a family member. The witness needs to print their full name, address, and occupation, and should sign at the same time. Make sure both your former name and your new name appear clearly as required by the form.
- Submit the deed for enrolment. Send the completed deed, supporting statutory declaration, and any required fee to the Central Office of the Senior Courts. The current fee and checklist are published on gov.uk, so check there before posting. Once accepted, your change of name is entered on the enrolment books and announced in the London Gazette.
Common questions
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Common questions
Q Do I have to enrol my deed poll to change my name?
No. In England and Wales you can legally change your name by using an unenrolled deed poll, and most people never enrol. Enrolment through Form LOC020 is optional and creates a formal public record at the Senior Courts. Some people choose it because certain overseas authorities or institutions prefer the added formality, but for everyday use in the UK an unenrolled deed is usually accepted.
Q Who can use Form LOC020?
Form LOC020 is for adults aged 18 or over who are either British citizens, Commonwealth citizens, or otherwise eligible under the British Nationality Act. Children's name changes follow a different process and usually need consent from everyone with parental responsibility. If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility rules, it is worth checking the current guidance on gov.uk before you complete the form.
Q How much does it cost to enrol a deed poll?
There is a court fee for enrolment, and it changes from time to time, so check gov.uk for the current amount. You may also need to pay separately for the statutory declaration that must accompany the deed, and for any certified copies you want afterwards. Unenrolled deed polls, by contrast, do not involve a court fee at all.
Q Will my new name appear in the London Gazette?
Yes. One of the consequences of enrolling a deed poll is that a notice of the name change is published in the London Gazette, which is a public record. If privacy is important to you, this is worth factoring in, because anyone can search Gazette notices online. An unenrolled deed poll does not involve publication.
Q Does a deed poll automatically update my passport and driving licence?
No. The deed itself is the legal instrument that changes your name, but each organisation you deal with, including HM Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC, your bank, and your employer, needs to be contacted separately. You usually send them the original deed or a certified copy so they can update their records. Plan for this to take some time across multiple bodies.
Q Can I change my name back later if I change my mind?
Yes. There is no limit on how often you can change your name in England and Wales, so you can execute a new deed poll at any time to revert or change again. That said, repeated changes can create administrative complications with identity checks, credit files, and overseas authorities, so it is sensible to be confident in your choice before enrolling.
Q Do I need a solicitor to complete Form LOC020?
No, the form is designed to be completed without a solicitor, and many people manage it themselves using the guidance published by the Senior Courts. However, if you have questions about eligibility, status, or how the deed will interact with documents held abroad, a short conversation with an experienced legal adviser can help you think through your specific situation before you commit.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovChange your name by deed poll (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovEnrol a deed poll in the Senior Courts (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Official SourceThe London Gazettethegazette.co.uk
- LegislationBritish Nationality Act 1981 (legislation.gov.uk)legislation.gov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure whether to enrol your deed poll?
Choosing between an enrolled and unenrolled deed poll, and getting the wording right, can feel more technical than it should. An experienced legal adviser can talk it through with you on the phone and give you a practical perspective based on what you describe about your situation.
- Plain-English answers to your specific questions about Form LOC020
- A clear explanation of enrolled versus unenrolled deed polls for your circumstances
- What to watch out for when completing and witnessing the deed
- Practical perspective on your next steps based on what you describe
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.