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Frequently asked questions

View our frequently asked questions to get the answers you need about changing your name, changing a child’s name, replacement deed polls or general deed poll enquires.

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  • What is a Deed Poll?
    A Deed Poll is the most widely recognised legal document for changing your name or your child's name in the United Kingdom. This legally binding document, also known as a Deed of Change of Name, serves as legal evidence of your decision to abandon your former name, adopt a new name and therefore identity permanently. Understanding what a Deed Poll is, is essential for anyone considering a name change, whether for personal, professional, or cultural reasons. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • How do I apply for a deed poll to change my name with you?
    Just complete our simple online application form – it takes less than 5 minutes, no documents are needed and you'll receive your deed poll by email within minutes. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What’s the difference between an enrolled and unenrolled deed poll?
    Enrolled deed polls are public and cost more. We provide private, legally valid unenrolled deed polls accepted by all major UK organisations. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • How long does it take to get my deed poll?
    Apply online anytime and receive your deed poll by email within 2–4 hours – no postal service required.
  • What are the legal requirements for changing my name via deed poll?
    You must be 16+, of sound mind, currently using your old name, and commit to using the new name exclusively. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Do I need a reason to change my name?
    No – you can change your name for any personal reason as long as it’s not for fraud or deception. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What documents do I need to provide?
    None! Just fill in the online form. The deed poll itself becomes your legal proof of name change. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What are the witnessing requirements?
    You must sign your deed poll in front of at least one adult witness who knows you personally. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Are there restrictions on the names I can choose?
    You can choose almost any name, but it must not be offensive, misleading, fraudulent, or impractical. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Can I change my name back later?
    Yes – you can apply for a new deed poll anytime to revert or change to another name. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Where do I send my deed poll after signing?
    You don’t send it to us – just show it to relevant organisations to update your records. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What if an organisation refuses my deed poll?
    Contact us. We provide support and will intervene to help resolve any issues directly with the organisation. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What's the total cost, including any hidden fees?
    We offer three packages: £19.99 (Basic), £39.99 (Standard), and £59.99 (Premium) – with no hidden fees. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Do you provide a letter to send with the deed poll?
    Yes – we include a professional covering letter to explain your name change to organisations. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Do you offer ongoing support after I receive the deed poll?
    Yes – we provide lifetime support by email, phone, or online. Premium packages include extra services. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What is a Deed Poll?
    A Deed Poll is the most widely recognised legal document for changing your name or your child's name in the United Kingdom. This legally binding document, also known as a Deed of Change of Name, serves as legal evidence of your decision to abandon your former name, adopt a new name and therefore identity permanently. Understanding what a Deed Poll is, is essential for anyone considering a name change, whether for personal, professional, or cultural reasons. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What's the difference between an enrolled and unenrolled deed poll, and why are you recommending unenrolled?
    An enrolled deed poll becomes a public record searchable forever, while unenrolled remains private. We recommend unenrolled for children to protect their privacy throughout their adult life. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Can I Change My Child's Name Online?
    Yes, you can apply for an Unenrolled Child Deed Poll online through various specialist Deed Poll agencies such as us. CLICK HERE for information about applying for a child Deed Poll
  • Do I Need a Solicitor to Change My Child's Name by Deed Poll?
    If you change your child's name using an Unenrolled Deed Poll, No, you don't need a solicitor. You may need a solicitor if you choose to change your child's name by Enrolled Deed Poll or any other method other than a Deed Poll. We only draft Unenrolled Deed Polls, Enrolled Deed Polls can only be issued by the UK Government through the Royal Courts of Justice. CLICK HERE to read more about Enrolled and Unenrolled Deed Polls
  • Why Do People Change Their Child's Name?
    Common reasons include adoption, parents getting married or divorced, changing surnames to match family members, correcting spelling errors, cultural or religious reasons, or protecting the child from unwanted associations.
  • Do You Need a Court Order for a Name Change?
    A court order is only needed if you cannot get consent from all people with parental responsibility, if there's a dispute about the name change, or in special circumstances where the court's permission is required. CLICK HERE for more information about Parental Responsibility
  • How to Update a Child's Birth Certificate
    You cannot change the child's original birth certificate - it remains a historical record and correct at the time of drafting. However, you can add the new name to official records and use the deed poll alongside the birth certificate as proof of current legal name.
  • How do I apply for a deed poll to change my child's name with you?
    Simply complete our quick 5-minute online application form providing your child's current and new name details, plus details of all persons with parental responsibility. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What are the legal requirements for changing my child's name via deed poll?
    Your child must be under 16, you must have parental responsibility, all persons with parental responsibility must sign, and it must be witnessed by an independent adult who knows you personally. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Do I need consent from both parents to change my child's name by deed poll?
    Yes, if both parents have parental responsibility, both must consent and sign. If only one parent has parental responsibility, only their consent is needed. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What is Parental Responsibility in the UK?
    Parental responsibility is defined as "all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent has in relation to the child and his property" under the Children Act 1989. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What documents do I need to provide to create the deed poll?
    No documentation is required as you make a trusted self-declaration within your child's deed poll application. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Where do I send my child's deed poll once I've signed it?
    You don't need to return the signed deed poll to us. Once signed and witnessed, it's legally binding and you use it to update your child's records with various organisations. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Which organisations and institutions will accept your unenrolled deed poll?
    All major UK institutions accept our deed polls, including HM Passport Office, DVLA, banks, schools, NHS, HMRC, and local councils, with a 99.8% acceptance rate. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What's the process for updating my child's records with various organisations?
    We provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide. Generally, start with school and GP, then passport office, followed by banks and financial institutions. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What do I do if an organisation refuses to accept the deed poll?
    Contact us immediately for support. We'll intervene on your behalf, speak to supervisors, and provide additional documentation. We've resolved every rejection case within 2-3 days. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What's the total cost, including any hidden fees?
    We offer three packages: Basic (£19.99), Standard (£39.99), and Premium (£59.99). No hidden fees, court costs, or additional charges - just a simple one-off admin fee. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Do you provide a letter of explanation or covering letter to accompany the deed poll?
    Yes, we include a professionally written "Record Holder Notification Letter" that explains what a deed poll is and requests organisations process the name change. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Do you provide ongoing support after I receive the deed poll?
    Yes, we provide unlimited lifetime online, email and telephone support. Premium customers also get deed poll verification and replacement services. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Are there any restrictions on what names I can choose?
    The name cannot be fraudulent, offensive, contain numbers/symbols, or be deliberately confusing. It should be reasonable, pronounceable, and practical for daily life. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Can my child change their name back when they're older if they want to?
    Yes, once your child turns 16, they can change their name back or choose something different through their own deed poll. The original birth certificate is never altered. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What is a Deed Poll?
    A Deed Poll is the most widely recognised legal document for changing your name or your child's name in the United Kingdom. This legally binding document, also known as a Deed of Change of Name, serves as legal evidence of your decision to abandon your former name, adopt a new name and therefore identity permanently. Understanding what a Deed Poll is, is essential for anyone considering a name change, whether for personal, professional, or cultural reasons. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What is a replacement deed poll?
    A replacement deed poll is a retrospective document that formally confirms a previous name change, drafted to match your original deed’s details. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • How do I apply for a replacement deed poll to prove my previous name change?
    Apply through our online form—select "Replacement," enter your DOB, current and previous names, and the date of your original change. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Can I apply for a replacement online, or do I need to visit your office or send documents by post?
    Yes—you can apply entirely online with no need for in-person visits or posting documents. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What’s the total cost, including any hidden fees?
    Prices start at £19.99 for a basic deed poll, going up to £59.99 for full packages; there are no hidden fees. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • How long does the entire process take from application to receiving my replacement deed poll?
    You’ll receive your deed poll by email—usually within minutes to one hour of applying. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What documents do I need to provide to get a replacement deed poll?
    Just details like your date of birth, names, address, email & phone—no extra documents required upfront. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Which organisations and institutions will accept my replacement deed poll?
    All major UK bodies accept it—including Passport Office, DVLA, banks, employers, utilities, and more. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Where do I send my replacement deed poll once I’ve signed it?
    Print and sign signed/witnessed copies, then send or show them directly to each organisation needing your updated name. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What do I do if an organisation refuses to accept the replacement deed poll?
    Check correct signing, ask why, and contact us—we offer support documentation to help resolve refusals. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Do you provide ongoing support after I receive the deed poll?
    Yes—we offer full online guidance and help with any questions even after you’ve received your document. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Do you need any documentation relating to my original name change, or can you find everything from your records?
    We reference your records internally—no extra docs are usually needed unless we ask for clarification. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • If I've lost all my original paperwork, will this cause any problems with getting a replacement?
    No—losing your paperwork isn’t a problem. We can still issue a replacement using your application details. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Will the replacement deed poll be identical to my original?
    Yes—the replacement is a like-for-like copy of your original deed poll, matching the same legal wording. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Once I have the replacement, can I use it immediately for official purposes like updating my passport or driving licence?
    Absolutely—as soon as it's signed and witnessed correctly, it’s valid for all official uses. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • What are the witnessing requirements for my deed poll?
    You must sign in the presence of an adult (18+), not a family member or cohabitant, who also signs and prints their details. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
  • Do you provide any kind of verification letter or certificate to confirm the replacement is legitimate?
    Yes—premium customers can request a verification service letter confirming authenticity and legal validity. CLICK HERE to read the full answer
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