Deed Poll Name Change

You may often get told you need a deed poll to change your name.  Be wary of where you get your advice from because many companies that sell deed polls may lead you to believe this is your only choice!

When changing your name for reasons other than taking your husband's surname, you have a number of options:

1) Name change by association.  Notify family, friends and colleagues of your new name and start using it immediately.  Your name change will have taken effect by reputation in the community and you can use your new name without taking any formal steps.  Organisations such as the passports office and banks will not issue official documentation under your new name as would become difficult to prove account ownership if people can change names this easily. You retain your birth name on most legal documents but will be known by your new name in the community.

2) If you want your records and accounts to be updated in your new name you can undertake a deed poll.  It often comes as a surprise to people that there is no central register for deed polls, so take your time and chose a reputable company.  Check if they can provide duplicates when required.  Consider getting a spare copy and storing it safely in a second location.  This process is best if you want to have your identity documents such as your passport and driver's license, changed into your new name.

3) If you have changed your name by marriage and you want to take a double barrelled surname you may have been told you need to undertake a deed poll.  This is not always correct.  It is up to the company that manages your accounts or records as to what evidence they will accept for a new name.  Many will ask for a deed poll certificate, but if you can provide an updated passport or driving licence this may suffice.  As the DLVA, DVA and passports office will allow you to take a double barrelled surname on presentation of a wedding certificate, try updating these items first then using this as supporting evidence with other organisations. 

4) A letter from a solicitor or reasonable person.  This is one of the lesser known methods to changing your name.  You can follow the same procedure outlined in option 1 and just start using a new name.  Where you are asked for evidence of your new name you can produce a letter from a reasonable person, such as a policeman, headmaster or doctor.  Although you must always use your new name immediatley and for all purposes, it is at the discretion of each organisation who holds your records and accounts if they decide to change your name over.  In time you may have many accounts under your preferred name, but if you want all your records changed as qucikly as possible a deed poll is the better option.  In many cases it may not bother you what name your accounts are in, as your friends and family will know you by your preferred name.

Any UK citizen aged 16 years or over can apply for a name change via deed poll. It is illegal to change your name if you are doing so to defraud or deceive anyone.  There are special circumstances for those who are bankrupt, have a criminal record and for foreign nationals.  If you fall into one of these groups we advise you ask the issuer of your deed poll for further information.

As part of the deed poll process you must intend for your new name to be used for all purposes, so you will need to ensure you only use your new name and you will need to ensure your accounts and records are updated into the one consistent name as soon as practical.  Easy Name Change can help you go about the time consuming and often confusion process to change your name with all organisations where you have an account or membership.

By law you can't legally have two names.  This means if you have changed your name by deed poll it is your responsibility to update your driving license, passport and all other documents immediately.  It can be difficult to know how to go about this process as most companies do not post this information on their websites, and you are often left to call every single company yourself to ask how to update your account. 

Let Easy Name Change save you hours of mind numbing research. Our clients save around 5 hours of research and letter writting.  We create personalised name change letters and provide you with any special forms you may need. Upon payment your Easy Name Change personalised kit will be immediately emailed to you.  All you need to do is print, sign, add supporting documents where indicated, and post.  If any of your nominated companies allow your account to be updated by phone or email we provide you with all the information you need so you don't need to do any research yourself.

Change Your Name The Easy Way™

Easy Name Change™ provides you a personalised and complete letter or fax for every company you need to notify of your new name. Our customers save around 6 hours as they don't need to do any research or letter writing. You don't even need to address an envelope!

Whether you are changing your name from marriage, divorce, separation or legally, Easy Name Change provides complete name change kits to suit any budget. Click here to start building your personalised name change kit.

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Updated Regularly (Last Updated Jan 2012)
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