If you've started looking into changing your name, you've probably seen both terms used, sometimes interchangeably, which is where most of the confusion comes from. They are not the same thing, and for the vast majority of people, only one is actually necessary.
What Is an Unenrolled Deed Poll?
An unenrolled deed poll is a private, self-declaratory legal document. You declare, in writing and in front of two independent witnesses, that you have given up your old name and adopted a new one. It requires no court involvement, no solicitor, and no government approval, it is legally valid the moment it is correctly signed and witnessed.
This is the standard, everyday deed poll used by the overwhelming majority of people who change their name in the UK. It is accepted by HM Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC, the NHS, and all major UK banks and building societies. This is the type of deed poll UK Deed Poll provides.
What Is an Enrolled Deed Poll?
An enrolled deed poll goes through an additional, optional step: it is formally registered with the Senior Courts of England and Wales. Once enrolled, the change is entered on the public record and published in The London Gazette, the UK's official public record of record.
Enrolling a deed poll is a separate legal process from applying for a standard deed poll. It typically involves:
- Using specific wording required for court submission, different from a standard deed poll
- A statutory declaration, usually made in front of a solicitor
- Submitting the paperwork directly to the Senior Courts
- Paying a court enrolment fee (currently £53, correct at time of writing, check current fees before applying)
In short
Unenrolled: private, fast, and accepted almost everywhere. Enrolled: public record, slower, and needed only in specific circumstances. Enrolment is optional, not a legal requirement, for changing your name.
Do You Actually Need an Enrolled Deed Poll?
For almost everyone, no. An unenrolled deed poll is sufficient to update your name with HM Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC, your bank, your employer, and the great majority of organisations you'll ever need to deal with.
Enrolment exists for a narrow set of situations, most commonly where someone specifically wants their name change permanently searchable on the public record, for example for certain professional, immigration, or historical reasons. It is genuinely rare, and it is not something most organisations ask for or require.
Which One Does UK Deed Poll Provide?
UK Deed Poll provides unenrolled deed polls only. We are a document preparation service, not a court, a government body, or a solicitor's firm, and we do not offer an enrolment service. If you have a specific reason to believe you need an enrolled deed poll, that process is handled directly through the Senior Courts, generally with the support of a solicitor.
Quick Comparison
| Unenrolled Deed Poll | Enrolled Deed Poll | |
|---|---|---|
| Court involvement | None | Registered with the Senior Courts |
| Public record | No, private document | Yes, published in The London Gazette |
| Typical use case | Everyday name changes | Rare, specific circumstances |
| Accepted by HM Passport Office, DVLA, banks | Yes | Yes |
| Provided by UK Deed Poll | Yes | No |
For more on the full application process and the legal wording we use, see How It Works.