RESEARCH

Change of Name in United Kingdom

Foreign nationals living in the United Kingdom can change their name by Deed Poll. This is
accepted as evidence of your name change. Once a Deed Poll is executed, you can use the
document to update all your records.

Apply for an 'enrolled' deed poll

'Enrolling' a deed poll means that you're putting your new name on public record. You must
apply to the Royal Courts of Justice to get an 'enrolled' deed poll using the deed poll process. It
costs £42.44. You can only enrol your own name change if you're 18 or over.

Change your name by deed poll

Overview

You do not have to follow a legal process to start using a new name. But you might need a ‘deed
poll’ 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 deed poll. You can either:

 make an ‘unenrolled’ deed poll yourself

 apply for an ‘enrolled’ deed poll

Ask the organization you’re dealing with (for example your bank) which type of deed poll they’ll
accept as proof of your new name.

NOTE: If you’re a permanent resident overseas, you cannot change your name by deed poll.

Apply for an ‘enrolled’ deed poll

‘Enrolling’ a deed poll means that you’re putting your new name on public record.
You must apply to the Royal Courts of Justice to get an ‘enrolled’ deed poll using the deed poll
process. It costs £42.44.

NOTE: You can only enrol your own name change if you’re 18 or over. 

Marriage and civil partnership

You do not need a deed poll to take your spouse’s or civil partner’s 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.

Make your own deed poll

You need to be 16 or over to make your own deed poll.

Some organisations may not accept a deed poll you’ve made yourself as proof of your new
name. Ask the organisation you’re dealing with (for example your bank) if they need
an ‘enrolled’ deed poll instead.

How to make your own deed poll

Use the following wording:

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

“Signed 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].

“[your new signature], [your old signature]

“[witness 1 signature], [witness 2 signature]”

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

After you’ve made it, you can use your deed poll as proof of your new name.

Enroll a deed poll with the courts

You can put your new name on public record by ‘enrolling’ it at the Royal Courts of Justice if
you’re 18 or over. It costs £42.44 and cheques should be made payable to HMCTS.

Send your forms and documents to the Queen’s Bench Division.

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), applications are taking longer than usual to process.

Queen’s Bench Division

Enforcement Section
Room E15
The Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Whose permission do I need?
If you are married, you need the written consent of your husband or wife. it should state that
there are no objections for you to change your name from ‘X’ to ‘Y’. This can be in the form of a
letter.

The administration of the oath

This is where the Declarant (person declaring) swears on a Holy Book or gives an Affirmation
(where a statement of fact is carried out). This must be carried out before a Solicitor,
Commissioner for Oaths or an Officer of the Senior Courts.

Notice for the London Gazette

The Notice for the London Gazette is mandatory when enrolling a Deed through the High Court.
The Notice must be drafted by you. The London Gazette is a Publication that evidences the
Change of Name through the High Court.

What happens when the court receives your application for deed poll?
The Court checks all the documentation to ensure that it follows the correct format.
We will have to return it if it is incorrect. Once its is ready to process we seal the original Deed
Poll and allocate it a number, which will be displayed in a round seal on the Deed. The Court
forwards the draft notice to the London Gazette, which is then published at their earliest
convenience. You will receive a copy of the published notice. The original Sealed Deed is
returned to you as your proof of change of name. You are free to notify any other bodies and
provide them with the evidence they require.
Contact Details
For Deed Poll enquiries:
Enforcement Section Manager
Room E15
Queen’s Bench Division
Action Department
The Royal Courts of Justice
STRAND
LONDON
WC2A 2LL
Phone: 020 3936 8957 (option 5) Email: qbenforcement@justice.gov.uk
Email is for queries only – we cannot accept the Deed Poll via email

DEED POLL CHECKLIST

1. LOC020 - Deed Poll Fully completed
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/
attachment_data/file/866124/loc020-eng.pdf
TAKE NOTE:
- The Deed Poll must be completed by the applicant.
- You must have TWO separate witnesses – these witnesses must sign and print their
name.

2. LOC021 - Statutory Declaration - Completed by the Declarant and sworn before either
solicitor, Commissioner of Oaths or a Senior Court officer. Ensure all relevant documents
are exhibited and attached (Copy of citizenship, marriage certificate and letter of consent
from partner if applicable).
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/
attachment_data/file/866125/loc021-eng.pdf

A Statutory Declaration is a sworn document, which declares in writing that the applicant
is who the Deed and the relevant Exhibits refer to.
There is a set format for which all applicants must follow.
The Statutory Declaration for adults must be completed by:
• A person who is not a near relative of yours or your spouse or civil partner
• A Commonwealth or British Citizen (as defined above)
• A person who has known you for no less than 10 years
• A home owner (this is required to prove the person is a permanent resident within the
United Kingdom).
What happens if the applicant has known no-one for 10 years?
If you have not known anyone for 10 years or more, an additional Affidavit must be
included, which explains the reasons why. This will then be referred to the Senior Master
for permission to enrol the change of name.
The administration of the oath
This is where the Declarant (person declaring) swears on a Holy Book or gives an
Affirmation (where a statement of fact is carried out). This must be carried out before a
Solicitor, Commissioner or Oaths or an Officer of the Senior Courts.

What are exhibits and what must be exhibited to the statutory declaration?
An Exhibit is a document produced in a Court of Law and defined as a piece of evidence.
The Court needs Exhibits as proof of who you are. The Court requires copies of
documents that are exhibited to the Statutory Declaration by way of Exhibit.
Exhibited to the Statutory Declaration must be:
• Exhibit A: A copy of the Deed Poll
• Exhibit B: Evidence of British Citizenship, i.e. Birth Certificate or Passport or
Certificate of Naturalisation
• Exhibit C: Marriage Certificate (if applicable) (Must state on the Statutory Declaration)
• Exhibit D: Decree Nisi (if applicable) (Must state on the Statutory Declaration) Exhibit
sheets are required with the correct wording for example:
“This is the Exhibit marked ‘A’ referred to in the Declaration of [enter declarate’s name]
declared before me [enter name of solicitor/commissioner/court officer] this [day] day of
[month] in the year [year].”
The person administering the declaration on the exhibit must be the same person who
Administered the Oath or Affirmation for the Statutory Declaration.
 This is in accordance with the Commissioner for Oaths Act.
3. LOC025 - Notice to the London Gazette - Fully completed
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/
attachment_data/file/866126/loc025-eng.pdf
The Notice for the London Gazette is mandatory when enrolling a Deed through the High
Court. The Notice must be drafted by you. The London Gazette is a Publication that
evidences the Change of Name through the High Court.
What happens when the court receives your application for deed poll?
The Court checks all the documentation to ensure that it follows the correct format. We
will have to return it if it is incorrect. Once it is ready to process we seal the original
Deed Poll and allocate it a number, which will be displayed in a round seal on the Deed.
The Court forwards the draft notice to the London Gazette, which is then published at
their earliest convenience. You will receive a copy of the published notice. The original
Sealed Deed is returned to you as your proof of change of name. You are free to notify
any other bodies and provide them with the evidence they require.