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How to legally change your name in the UK

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Published by:

Aisha Patel

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Reviewed by:

Alistair Vigier

Last Modified: 2023-06-02

So you want to legally change your name. You’re not alone — in 2015, a record 85,000 people changed their name via deed poll in the UK. Some don’t like the name they were given at birth; others want to include both parents’ surnames. Your name is your own, and you have the freedom to change it.

But how complicated is the process? And what’s a deed poll? Let’s cover how you can legally change your name in the UK.

What is a deed poll?

In the UK, a deed poll is a document that legally binds you to a specific action — in most cases, this action is changing your name. There are two ways to acquire a deed poll: if you’re over 16 years old, you can draft an unenrolled deed poll and change your name yourself.

The government provides the wording for this method, but you’ll also need a witness to sign and date the document. The other process involves applying to the Royal Courts of Justice for an enrolled deed poll, which will place your name in the public record. This costs £42.44.

But before you decide on a method, check with the organizations you’ll need to deal with; many places specify which type of deed poll (enrolled vs unenrolled) they’ll accept as proof of your name change.

Now, to what does a deed poll bind you? Basically, you commit to using your new name at all times and discontinuing your old one. It means other people have to use your new name too.

Once you’ve changed your name, you should notify all organizations that need your details. You’ll need to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and the Passport Office, as well as your insurance company and bank.

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What can’t I change my name to in the UK?

With a deed poll, you have almost unlimited options for changing your name — you change your first, middle or last name, drop or add a new name, or simply alter the spelling of your current name.

The key word, though, is almost. While the UK doesn’t have laws that explicitly outline what you can and can’t name yourself, some names will undoubtedly cause your deed poll to be rejected. Here are common reasons for rejected names:

  • Doesn’t have a first and last name (you can’t have only one name à la Beyoncé)
  • Isn’t pronounceable (excessive use of consonants or vowels)
  • Includes symbols, numbers, or punctuation (apostrophes and hyphens excepted)
  • References criminal activities
  • Promotes hatred or discrimination
  • Includes a title or prefix that doesn’t apply to you (you can’t add Dr. or Lord to your name)

The reasons above are a sure way to get your deed poll rejected, but they’re far from the only guidelines surrounding names. There are also high-risk names: you might get a deed poll accepted, but the odds aren’t in your favour. Here are some examples:

  • Excessively long names (even if they’re pronounceable)
  • Names for marketing purposes (you probably won’t be able to change your name to promote a business)
  • Names that violate copyright or trademarks
  • A turn of phrase or a word not typically used as a name
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How do I change my name when I get married in the UK?

Luckily, this part’s easy. If you get married, you won’t have to worry about a deed poll — just send your marriage certificate to a record holder, and they’ll update your documents free of charge.

But if your marriage or civil partnership ends and you want to use your original name, there’s a little more paperwork; you’ll have to show a record holder your final order or decree absolute. Even then, some organizations will still require a deed poll.

How to legally change your name in Scotland?

If you’re in Scotland, the rules are slightly different. Individuals born or adopted in Scotland can change their name through the Registrar General. Once your request is accepted, your name will be changed in Scotland’s official public record.

There are some limits, though. If you’re over 16 years old, you can change your first name once and your last name three times. Plus, you’ll have to wait five years between each name change.

But if you weren’t born or adopted in Scotland, you’ll need that deed poll or statutory decree to change your name. If you go with the latter, you’ll have to draft the decree, and a notary or justice of the peace must witness it.

How do I change a child’s name in the UK?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, changing your child’s name still requires a deed poll, but there are a couple of extra steps. If your child is a minor (younger than 18), you’ll need the written agreement of everyone with parental responsibilities or a court order. And if your child is between 16 and 18 years old, you’ll need their permission too.

In Scotland, there are further requirements to contact and consult everyone with parental responsibilities to determine if the name change is in the child’s best interest. This process may involve more than just the parents, but it is possible to supersede a parent or guardian’s wishes.

Conclusion

Changing your name in the UK is a fairly straightforward process — you’ll need to complete a deed poll, and £42 later, you can legally sport your new name. But there are some catches; you can’t rename yourself anything.

While the UK doesn’t have specific naming laws, your deed poll will be rejected if your name doesn’t meet some criteria. Basically, use common sense — if you’re not taking the process seriously, your name change isn’t going to stick. So enjoy your new name, just don’t try and add any numbers or symbols. 

If you need help with this, speak to a UK-based lawyer.

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