What is a Deed Poll?

Deed Polls have been in existence for over 150 years and used for various purposes relating to a single person or group of persons acting jointly to commit themselves to a particular course of action.

The most common and accepted use of a Deed Poll is to change a person's name. The full legal name for a Deed Poll which has been specifically drawn up to change a person's name is Deed of Change of Name or Change of Name Deed. Many countries use Deed Polls for this purpose including: the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. Please note: Deed Polls issued by us are only valid within the UK.

What information does a formal Deed Poll contain?

In the UK, a formal Deed Poll prepared to legally change the name of a person includes three main declarations which you are committing yourself to by executing (signing) the Deed Poll:

1. You will absolutely and entirely renounce, relinquish and abandon the use of your former name
2. You will at all times in all records, deeds and documents use and subscribe your new name in substitution for your former name
3. You authorise and require all persons to designate, describe and address you by your new name at all times

If you would like to legally change your name by Deed Poll, please visit our Deed Poll application page.

Deed Polls issued by the UK Name Change Service carry our official seals to confirm the authenticity of the document and therefore will be accepted by all UK government agencies, private companies and other organisations. If your Deed Poll which was issued by us is refused by any of the above mentioned organisations, we will issue you with a full refund of your application fee and liaise with the organisation involved to get your Deed Poll accepted.