You may need a deed poll if you want to legally change your name in the UK. It’s the simplest way to make your new name official and provide formal evidence of your change when updating your records.

You’ll need a deed poll if you want to:

• Change your first name, surname or both

• Provide legal proof of your new name

• Update official documents such as your passport, driving licence and bank accounts

• Ensure your name change is recognised when dealing with organisations across the UK

Whether your change is personal, professional or following marriage, a deed poll provides a legally recognised way to make your new name official.

A deed poll must be signed in the presence of two independent witnesses to be legally valid.

Your witnesses must:

• Be over 18 years old

• Not be a family member, partner or living at your address

• Not benefit from your name change

• Be able to confirm your identity if required

Common witnesses include friends, colleagues or professionals such as solicitors or notaries.

Once signed and witnessed, your deed poll becomes formal legal evidence of your name change and can be used to update your records across the UK.

Our legally recognised deed polls start at just £19.95. Apply before 3pm (Mon–Fri) for same-day processing, with secure Royal Mail Tracked 24 next working day delivery.

We’re confident in the quality of our service. If your deed poll isn’t accepted when used correctly, we offer a money-back guarantee for your peace of mind.

You’ll need to update your details with a range of organisations. We provide a full checklist when you order, but here are some common ones:

• HM Passport Office
• DVLA
• HMRC
• Local council
• Land Registry
• Your employer
• Banks and pension providers
• Mortgage or credit card companies

Our Name Change Kit makes it easy to manage this process and save hours of admin time.

With our deed poll service, the process is fast and straightforward. If you apply before 3 PM (Monday to Friday), your deed poll is prepared the same day and delivered securely via Royal Mail Tracked 24 the next day. Once you receive it, your new name is legally recognised and ready to use with HMRC, banks, the Passport Office, DVLA, and other organisations.

Yes, there are a few rules. You cannot choose a name that:

• Is offensive, vulgar, or defamatory
• Could confuse (e.g., includes symbols or numbers)
• Appears to promote criminal activity
• Contains slurs or discriminatory terms
• Uses non-standard punctuation
• It is overly political or promotional
• Uses unofficial titles (like “Lord”, unless peerage is granted)

Acceptable titles include Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms, and Mx.

No. Updating your name with your bank using a legally recognised deed poll does not affect your credit score or credit history. Your accounts, credit cards, loans and other financial records remain the same — only your name is updated.

It’s important to notify all relevant financial institutions after your name change to ensure your records remain accurate and consistent.

No. Changing your name by deed poll does not affect property ownership or your legal rights. Your ownership remains exactly the same — only the name shown on the documents is updated.

Once you have your signed and witnessed deed poll, you can update your records with HM Land Registry and your mortgage provider to reflect your new name.

Yes. An unenrolled deed poll — meaning one that is not enrolled in the High Court — may occasionally be subject to additional checks by certain organisations.

In most cases, an unenrolled deed poll is accepted across the UK. However, some organisations may request further verification or, in rare circumstances, a court-enrolled deed poll before updating your records.