How to Legally Change Your Name in the UK: Complete Deed Poll Guide 2025

According to various reports and the UK Deed Poll Service, it’s estimated that around 60,000 people legally change their name by deed poll in the UK each year, with over 136,000 deed polls issued over the service’s eight years of operation.

The reasons people choose to change their names are unique and varied. However, common reasons include:

1. Marriage and divorce;
2. Professional reasons; and/or
3. Disassociation with a former name, which the individual may not wish to retain for personal reasons.

In this article, we’ll explain how an individual can legally change their name in the UK and provide an overview of the steps and (where relevant) fees involved.

How to Legally Change Your Name in the UK

Changing your name legally in the UK is most commonly done by using a deed poll, a formal legal document that declares your intention to abandon your old name and adopt your new name exclusively. You can change any part of your name, including first, middle, or surname, and the change is recognised by government bodies and most organisations once you have your deed poll. 

There are two types of deed polls: unenrolled, which you can create yourself and use immediately, and enrolled, which is registered with the Royal Courts of Justice and recorded publicly in The Gazette for greater legal formality. The process involves preparing the document, signing it in the presence of witnesses, and then using it to update your official records such as passports, driving licences, bank accounts and more. 

Who Can Apply for a Deed Poll Name Change in the UK?

To apply for a deed poll to legally change your name in the UK, you must meet certain eligibility criteria:

Age Factors

You must be at least 16 years old. Those aged 16 or 17 (under 18) will often need parental consent in practice. For those under 16, a parent or guardian with parental responsibility must apply on your behalf, with consent from all adults who share that responsibility.

Residence and Nationality

The UK deed poll process applies to individuals living in or legally connected to the United Kingdom, including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. You must be a British citizen, a citizen of a Commonwealth country, or from a British Dependent Territory to use the deed poll service for enrolment. Note that in Scotland, the process differs and requires contacting Scottish courts. Permanent residents living overseas are generally not eligible to change their name via a UK deed poll. 

Special Cases

• People with dual nationality or those who are asylum seekers or refugees may still apply, but specific requirements might apply.
• Registered offenders (e.g., sex offenders) who change their names must notify the police within three days, as failure to do so is a criminal offence.
• Individuals detained under the Mental Health Act or undischarged bankrupts may have particular limitations or conditions.

Changing Your Name by Deed Poll If Married or Divorced in the UK

Change of Name Following Marriage

Where someone marries and wishes to assume the surname of their partner (or a double-barrelled surname of both spouses’ surnames), this can be updated in a fairly straightforward manner, namely by approaching relevant UK government authorities and submitting the UK marriage certificate. The authorities will generally update their records on the basis of this evidence.

Change of Name Following Divorce and Changes of Name in General

In the UK, after divorce, the name of a divorcing party doesn’t automatically revert to their former name, for example, a former wife’s maiden name. For this, the proper formalities must be carried out.

In fact, in the UK, it is legally possible to change one’s name by simply renouncing the former name and adopting and being known under the newly adopted name. However, the reality is that most authorities will insist on receiving documentary evidence that an individual has, in fact, changed his or her name.

This is where the creation of a deed poll is important.

What is a Deed Poll?

A deed poll is a declaration in writing by a person formally renouncing their current name and adopting their newly adopted name.

The person will sign the deed poll in the presence of witness(es) by signing their former name and signing their newly adopted name.

Witness Requirements

Under UK law, only one witness is required to attest to the signing of the deed poll. However, common practice, especially for the enrolled deed poll we outline below, is to require that two witnesses attest to the signing of the deed poll by its maker.

The reasons for this are obvious: having two witnesses increases the number of people who can be approached should they need to provide evidence confirming that the maker of the deed poll executed it, which could be important for legal proceedings, etc.

For an enrolled deed poll in the UK, one witness must have known the applicant personally for at least 10 years, be a British or Commonwealth citizen with a UK address, and complete a statutory declaration confirming the applicant’s identity and voluntary signing. Both witnesses must be over 18, unrelated to the applicant, and not living at the same address. This stricter witnessing requirement compared to unenrolled deed polls (clarified below) reflects the formal legal registration process involved in public record enrolment.

Exceptions can be made, subject to the discretion of a judge from the Royal Courts of Justice, for someone who does not meet the 10 years or fixed home address requirements as stated above.

In addition, while not legally required, in certain situations there is a tendency to insist that one of the witnesses should be a professional, such as a practising solicitor or notary public. These situations can include:

• If you’re a British national living abroad, since your deed poll may need to be legalised or recognised internationally.
• If you reside in Jersey or Guernsey.
• If you’re a foreign national, some embassies or countries require the deed poll to be witnessed by a solicitor or notary for acceptance in your home country.
• If your deed poll needs to be legalised (for example, for marriage abroad or government procedures that require notarised documents).

What are the Different Types of Deed Polls?

As mentioned, there are two different types of deed polls:

1. An enrolled deed poll; and
2. An unenrolled deed poll.

The difference between the two is, in many ways, self-explanatory: an enrolled deed poll is enrolled by someone. In the UK, this is done by enrolling the deed poll with the Royal Courts of Justice.

An unenrolled deed poll, however, is not enrolled with any organisation. It is simply retained by the maker of the deed poll and potentially submitted by the individual on an ad-hoc basis to organisations/authorities as and when required. As there is no central or government-run register for unenrolled deed polls, it’s wise to hold multiple certified copies for future use. 

Cost and Fees for Enrolling a Deed Poll in the UK in 2025

The cost of changing your name by deed poll depends on the type chosen. 

An unenrolled deed poll, which is the most common and private option, typically costs £15-£36 through online services or minimal printing costs if done at home, with no government fees required.

An enrolled deed poll costs £50.32 for the official Royal Courts of Justice fee, plus potential additional solicitor fees for legal guidance, statutory declarations, or certified copies. This makes unenrolled deed polls significantly more affordable, while enrolled deed polls provide greater formality and public record status at a higher cost.

Summary Table: Difference Between Enrolled and Unenrolled Deed Poll in the UK

Required Documents for UK Deed Poll Name Change Application

To enrol a deed poll with the Royal Courts of Justice, you’ll be required to submit three documents:

1. Change of name deed for an adult (form LOC020);
2. Deed poll statutory declaration for an adult (form LOC021); and
3. Notice for The Gazette for an adult (form LOC025).

In addition, you’ll be required to submit evidence that you’re either a British, Commonwealth or British Dependent Territories Citizen by submitting either:

1. Your birth certificate;
2. Your current UK passport; or
3. Your certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen.

Top tip: When completing the enrolled deed poll form, print it on single-sided paper and don’t make any crossings or markings on the document. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Name Legally in the UK 

Step 1: Choose Your New Name and Decide Between Unenrolled and Enrolled Deed Poll

Ensure your new name is one you want to use permanently and complies with legal standards. Names that are offensive, misleading, or intended for fraudulent purposes aren’t allowed. You can change your first, middle, or surname, add or remove names or hyphens, or correct spelling. Then choose between:

• Unenrolled deed poll: You can draft this yourself, sign it in front of one witness (though two are recommended), and use it immediately as proof of your new name. No registration fee is necessary, and it keeps your name change private.
• Enrolled deed poll: This process involves submitting official forms, proof of citizenship, and a fee to the Royal Courts of Justice. Your name change will be entered on public record via publication in The Gazette. This option is often required by banks or official bodies needing verified proof.

Step 2: Prepare and Execute the Deed Poll

For an unenrolled deed poll: Write a declaration stating your old name, your new name, and your intention to use the new name at all times. Sign it in front of your witness(es), who must also sign the document.

For an enrolled deed poll: Complete and submit these forms: LOC020 (Change of Name Deed), LOC021 (Statutory Declaration by a witness known to you for at least 10 years), and LOC025 (Notice for The Gazette). Include proof of British, Commonwealth, or British Dependent Territories citizenship, such as your birth certificate, UK passport, or certificate of naturalisation. Witnesses for enrolled deeds must meet specific requirements, including not being related to you, and they must sign the forms by ‘wet-ink’ signature. 

One of the two witnesses for the enrolled deed poll (form LOC020) can be the same person who completes the statutory declaration (form LOC021).

The maker of the statutory declaration must also swear that the contents are true in the presence of either a solicitor, a commissioner for oaths or an officer of the Royal Courts of Justice.

In addition, the following documents must each be exhibited to the statutory declaration:

• Exhibit A – a photocopy of the deed poll form (LOC020);
• Exhibit B – a photocopy of evidence that the maker of the enrolled deed poll is a British, Commonwealth or British dependent territories citizen; and
• Exhibit C – a photocopy of the maker of the deed poll’s marriage or civil partnership certificate (if you are married or in a civil partnership).

Step 3: Submit Your Enrolment Application (If Enrolling)

Mail all your completed forms, supporting documents, and the fee to:

King’s Bench Division
Enforcement Section
Room E15
The Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL

Once all forms and documents have been submitted, copies will be retained by the Royal Courts of Justice and the original deed poll may be retained by the holder (which can be of much use in the event certified true copies of the enrolled deed poll need to be made for future recipients).

A notice must also be published in The Gazette confirming the name change.

Step 4: Notify Relevant Organisations

After your deed poll is executed or enrolled, it’s up to you to update your name with official bodies including:

• Passport Office
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
• Banks and financial institutions
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• Local council and electoral register
• Employers, GP surgery, utility companies and more

Each organisation may have its own process for updating records, so check their requirements carefully.

Step 5: Keep Certified Copies Safe

Store your original deed poll securely. You may need certified copies in the future when proving your name change to organisations.

How Long Does It Take to Change a Name by Deed Poll?

The processing time for an unenrolled deed poll is typically quick. Most providers dispatch the deed poll documents within two to four working days, and you can use the deed poll immediately after signing it with your witness. 

By contrast, the enrolled deed poll process generally takes several weeks (often six to 12 weeks) due to the formal registration, statutory declarations and publication of the name change in The Gazette. After completing either process, updating official records with organisations can take additional weeks, depending on the entities involved.

Conclusion

When changing your legal name, it is important to have proper paperwork in place as evidence, should this be required when updating your newly adopted name with UK and/or overseas authorities.

This is typically done by creating a deed poll. If you also want to have the added benefits of registering a deed poll with the Royal Courts of Justice, you’ll need to enrol a deed poll for this purpose.

If you require our firm’s services in notarising your deed poll or related matters, please contact Notary.co.uk at info@notary.co.uk or call us on 020 7630 1777.