A Deed Poll is a legal document that allows individuals in the UK to formally change their name. This process provides a straightforward way for people to adopt a new name for a variety of reasons, such as marriage, divorce, personal preference, or gender transition. Once a Deed Poll is signed and witnessed, it serves as proof of the individual’s new name and can be used to update official records with various organizations, including government agencies, banks, and employers.
The Deed Poll Process
The process of changing your name through a Deed Poll in the UK involves several key steps:
- Creating the Deed Poll Document: The first step is to create the Deed Poll document. This legal document must include your current name, your new name, and your date of birth. It must also contain a declaration stating that you will use your new name for all purposes and will cease using your old name. Deed Poll documents can be drafted on your own or with the help of a solicitor or specialized service.
- Signing and Witnessing the Deed Poll: Once the document is prepared, it must be signed in the presence of a witness. The witness should be someone who knows you but is not a relative. They must sign the document to confirm that they have witnessed your signature.
- Using the Deed Poll: After the Deed Poll is signed and witnessed, it becomes your legal proof of name change. You can use it to update your records with
