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You do not have to follow a legal process to start using a new name. But you might need a 鈥榙eed poll鈥� to apply for or to change official documents like your passport or driving licence.

Get a deed poll

A deed poll is a legal document that proves a change of name. You can change any part of your name, add or remove names and hyphens, or change spelling.

There are 2 ways to get a聽deed poll. You can either:

• make an 鈥榰nenrolled鈥� deed poll yourself
• apply for an 鈥榚nrolled鈥� deed poll

Ask the organisation you鈥檙e dealing with (for example your bank) which type of deed poll they鈥檒l accept as proof of your new name.

Make an 鈥榰nenrolled鈥� deed poll

You can change your name yourself if you鈥檙e 16 or over.

Apply for an 鈥榚nrolled鈥� deed poll

鈥楨nrolling鈥� a deed poll means that you鈥檙e putting your new name on public record.

You must apply to the Royal Courts of Justice to get an 鈥榚nrolled鈥� deed poll using the deed poll process. It costs 拢50.32.

Marriage and civil partnership

You do not need a deed poll to take your spouse鈥檚 or civil partner鈥檚 surname. Send a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate to record-holders, such as benefits offices. Your documents will be updated for free.

If you divorce or end your civil partnership

You may be able to go back to your original name by showing record-holders either your:

• marriage certificate and decree absolute
• civil partnership certificate and final order

Some organisations will not change your name back without a deed poll.

If you鈥檙e a registered offender

You must tell the police you鈥檝e changed your name within 3 days if you鈥檙e a registered:

• sex offender
• violent offender
• terrorist offender

You must go to your local prescribed police station to do this. You鈥檒l be told where this is on release.

You need to be 16 or over to make an 鈥榰nenrolled鈥� deed poll.

A specialist agency or a solicitor can make the deed poll for you - they may charge a fee.

How to make your own deed poll

You鈥檒l need 2 witnesses to sign your deed poll. They must be 18 or over.

Some organisations will not accept a deed poll if a witness lives at the same address or is a close relative.

Use the following wording. Replace the words in the square brackets with the relevant details.

Name change deed

鈥淚 [old name] of [your address] have given up my name [old name] and have adopted for all purposes the name [new name].

鈥淲here applicable, I have informed the police that I have given up my name [old name] and have adopted the name [new name] and understand that a failure to do so is a criminal offence.

鈥淚 also understand that when I apply for official documents in my new name, such as a British Passport, the relevant authorities may check the history and validity of my old name [old name] and new name [new name]. They may also check the information in any other supporting documents they have requested.

鈥淪igned as a deed on [date] as [old name] and [new name] in the presence of [witness 1 name] of [witness 1 address], and [witness 2 name] of [witness 2 address].

鈥淸your new signature], [your old signature]

鈥淸witness 1 signature], [witness 2 signature]鈥�

After you鈥檝e made your deed poll

You can use your signed deed poll straight away as proof of your new name.

You can put your new name on public record by 鈥榚nrolling鈥� it at the Royal Courts of Justice if you鈥檙e 18 or over. It costs 拢50.32 and cheques should be made payable to HMCTS.

If you鈥檙e under 18, follow the process for changing a child鈥檚 name to enrol.

Download the guidance and forms for changing an adult鈥檚 name - this includes the notification form for .

Send your forms and documents to the King鈥檚 Bench Division.

To change the name of a child under 18 you can either:

• make an unenrolled deed poll by using a specialist deed poll agency or a solicitor
• apply for an enrolled deed poll from the Royal Courts of Justice

If you choose an enrolled deed poll, this means your child鈥檚 new name will usually appear on public record in .

Some organisations will only accept an enrolled deed poll as proof of a name change. Ask the organisation you鈥檙e dealing with which type of deed poll they鈥檒l need.

Apply for an enrolled deed poll

You鈥檒l need either:

• the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility
• a court order

If everyone with parental responsibility agrees

Download and complete the forms for changing a child鈥檚 name - this includes the notification form for The Gazette.

It costs 拢50.32 to apply.

Send your forms and documents to the King鈥檚 Bench Division.

If you need a court order

Read the guidance on making an application to the court.

Fill in form C100 for a 鈥榮pecific issue order鈥�.

Send your form to your nearest court that deals with child cases.

It costs 拢232 to apply for a court order. You may be able to get help with court fees if you鈥檙e on benefits or a low income.