If you’re a UK resident and are over the age of 16, you are allowed to legally change your name for any reason, providing it's not for deceptive or fraudulent purposes.
However, before you can request that organisations amend their records to show your new name, you will have to provide documentary evidence to prove that you have legally changed your name and have done so for all purposes. A Deed Poll is the documentary evidence you will need to prove your legal name change and have your documents and records amended. Read onto the next section to find out more about Deed Polls.
Deed Polls have been in use for over 150 years; used to legally change the name of hundreds of thousands of people within the UK.
A Deed Poll allows you to change your own, and your children's forenames, surname or both. You can also add names, remove names and rearrange your existing names, whenever you like, and as many times as you like (You do not need a Deed Poll to change your surname after marriage).
Take a look around our site for more information on changing your name by Deed Poll. If you have any questions regarding your legal name change or the Deed Poll process in general, please feel free to use our Live Chat Service, send an email to enquiries@deed-poll.org.uk or call our Deed Poll Helpline on 0800 781 6359.
Last updated: 23/04/2008