How to Change Your Name by Deed Poll: A Simple Guide

How to Change Your Name by Deed Poll: A Simple Guide

Step 1: Understand the Basics

To legally change your name, you must complete specific forms and send them to the Royal Courts of Justice. This is known as changing your name by deed poll.

What you can and cannot change in your name by deed poll:

You can:
  1. Change any part of your name
  2. Add or remove names and hyphens
  3. Change spelling
You cannot:
  1. Change your title – for example, Mr, Mrs, Sir, Lady or Doctor
  2. Change any capitalisations of letters in your name
Before completing any forms, please read the main guidance information on changing your name by deed poll.
  1. Necessary for Parents: If you're changing a child's name, please follow the special guidance for children: Changing a Child's Name.
  2. Born in Scotland? Use the Scottish rules for name changes: Scottish Name Change Process.

Step 2: Gather the Required Forms

You will need to fill out these three forms:
  1. Change of Name Deed (LOC020)
  2. Statutory Declaration (LOC021)
  3. Notice for The Gazette (LOC025)
You can download all the necessary forms here: Change Your Name by Deed Poll Forms.

Step 3: Complete the Forms

Change of Name Deed (LOC020)

Fill in your current and new names. Ensure you:
  1. Print the form single-sided.
  2. Avoid any mistakes or crossings out.
  3. Have two witnesses (not family members) sign the form.
  4. You must declare your relationship status if you are married or in a civil partnership
  5. You must take a photocopy of the form to include in your exhibits

Statutory Declaration (LOC021)

A person who has known you for at least ten years must confirm your identity.

The declarant must:
  1. Have known you for ten years or more.
  2. Be a British or Commonwealth citizen.
  3. Have a permanent home address in the UK.
  4. If your declarant does not own a home, you must provide an affidavit (a sworn statement) explaining this. A judge will then decide if their declaration is valid.
The declarant cannot be:
  1. Your spouse (husband, wife, or civil partner).
  2. Any other family member (by birth or marriage).
  3. If you do not know anyone who fits the 10-year requirement, you must include an affidavit explaining why.
  4. The declarant can also act as a witness on your deed poll form (LOC020).

Notice for The Gazette (LOC025)

This form is needed to announce your name change publicly. Make sure:
  1. The dates on this form match your Change of Name Deed.
  2. Your name is written in full throughout the form.
  3. The form is printed single-sided.

Step 4: Gather Additional Documents

You may need to include additional documents, such as:
  1. Proof of Citizenship: A photocopy of your birth certificate, passport, or certificate of naturalisation.
  2. Marriage or Civil Partnership: Include your spouse's written consent and a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate.
  3. Divorce or Widowhood: Include a photocopy of your decree absolute, final order, or partner's death certificate.
  4. Adoption: Include a photocopy of your adoption documents.
  5. Translations: Provide a certified translation if any documents are not in English or Welsh.

Step 5: Prepare Your Payment

The total fee is £49.32, which includes:
  1. Court enrolment fee: £11
  2. Advertisement charge: £29.52
  3. Copy of The Gazette: £8.80
You can pay by cheque, postal order, banker's draft, or by calling 020 3936 8957 (option 1) for credit/debit card payments.

Note: While many companies offer to perform the deed poll name change service on your behalf for an extra fee, you can do it easily yourself. There's no need to pay more than the standard £49.32 fee.

Step 6: Submit Your Forms

Send your completed forms and documents to:

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

Alternatively, you can drop off your forms at the Royal Courts of Justice between 9 am and 5 pm.

Step 7: What Happens Next?

Your forms will be checked. If everything is correct, your name change will be sealed and registered.
You'll receive your deed poll by post, which you can use to update your name with banks, employers, and other organisations.

The Gazette will publish your name change, and you'll receive a copy of the published notice.

Need More Information?

For detailed instructions, visit the official gov.uk page. If you have any questions, contact the Deed Poll Team at 020 3936 8957 (option 6) or email kbdeedspoll@justice.gov.uk.

Useful Links:
  1. Changing Your Name by Deed Poll - Gov.uk
  2. Changing a Child's Name
  3. Scottish Name Change Process

Once you've officially changed your name by deed poll, you can take a step further by changing the gender marker on your government documents. Book a Gender Marker Change Session through GenderGP, available for members and non-members, and obtain a Gender Marker Change Letter signed by a professional.

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