Can I change my name by deed poll?
Yes — and you can do it for free yourself. The right rests on common law, and an unenrolled deed poll is free to do DIY: you sign a declaration before two witnesses, and it's accepted by HM Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC and most banks. If you want it on a permanent public record, you can make an enrolled deed poll, registered at the King's Bench Division of the High Court and published in The London Gazette. Aged 16–17 you can make and sign an unenrolled deed poll yourself; from 18 you can apply to enrol it. For an under-16, everyone with parental responsibility must consent (or a court order). Commercial services charge for what is legally free to do yourself. In short: yes, and the basic route is free.
📋 The rules
- Based on common law — no statute creates the right
- Unenrolled deed poll is free to DIY (two witnesses)
- Accepted by passport office, DVLA, HMRC, banks
- Enrolled deed poll: permanent public record (High Court)
- 16–17 can self-sign; under-16 needs parental consent
🔓 Exceptions
- You can't change a name for fraud or to escape a court order/debt
- A child's change can be blocked by anyone with parental responsibility
- A few institutions still insist on an enrolled deed poll
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no penalty and no fee for the basic route. An unenrolled deed poll is free done yourself (or roughly £10–£40 via a service); an enrolled deed poll has a High Court fee of £53.05 and takes 2–3 months. Changing your name for fraud — for example to evade a debt or court order — is an offence under the Fraud Act 2006. Beware a myth: "you must pay a company and get an official certificate" is false — under common law you can change your name with no document at all, and a free DIY deed poll is fully valid and accepted by official bodies. To change your name: write and sign an unenrolled deed poll before two witnesses, then send copies to update your passport, driving licence, bank and HMRC.
📎 Official sources
- GOV.UK — change your name by deed poll →
- GOV.UK — make an unenrolled deed poll →
- GOV.UK — enrol a deed poll with the courts →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I change my name for free?
Yes. You can change your name for free using an unenrolled deed poll, which you can write and sign yourself in front of two witnesses. It's accepted by HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC and most banks to update your records. You don't have to pay a company or get an official certificate for it to be valid.
What's the difference between enrolled and unenrolled?
An unenrolled deed poll is the simple, free document you sign before two witnesses and use to update your records. An enrolled deed poll is registered with the King's Bench Division of the High Court and published in The London Gazette, creating a permanent public record. Enrolment has a court fee and takes longer, but most people don't need it.
Do I have to use a deed poll company?
No. Deed poll companies charge for something you can legally do yourself for nothing. Under common law you can simply start using a new name, and a DIY unenrolled deed poll is fully valid for official purposes. A paid service may add convenience, but it isn't legally required to change your name.
Can I change a child's name?
To change the name of a child under 16, everyone with parental responsibility must consent, or you need a court order, such as a Specific Issue Order. A young person aged 16 or 17 can make and sign their own unenrolled deed poll. A name change can be blocked by anyone with parental responsibility who objects.
Are there names I can't change to?
You can't change your name for a fraudulent or improper purpose, such as to escape a debt, evade a court order or deceive people. Doing so can be an offence under the Fraud Act 2006. Beyond that, there are practical limits on offensive names, but the deed poll process itself is otherwise straightforward.
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