Guidance on changing your name and title in the UK

To begin, you do not have to follow a legal process to start using a new name, but you will need a ‘deed poll’ to apply for or to change official documents like your passport or driving licence. Similarly, a deed poll is often required to change things like your bank card or name on GP records etc.

To keep it simple, a deed poll is a legal document that proves a change of name. It allows you to change any part of your name (including your title e.g., Mr/Miss), add or remove names and hyphens, or change the spelling of your name.

There are two types of deed poll which are an unenrolled and enrolled deed poll. 

Unenrolled deed poll

An unenrolled deed poll is a simple document that states that you have changed your name and that you will no longer use your old name. You can make an unenrolled deed poll yourself If you are 16+. 

Please note: It is often implied that you need a solicitor for an unenrolled deed poll and while this is an option, it is costly and not necessary. It is legal and easy to make an unenrolled deed poll yourself, free of charge. You can do this by seeing the governments guidance on how to make an unenrolled deed poll here

Or by using a free template online and adding in your information. A recommended website that provides a free name change template is Free Deed Poll

An unenrolled deed poll allows you to change almost all of your important documents such as your passport, driving licence, bank cards etc. 

Enrolled deed poll

An enrolled deed poll means that you’re putting your new name on the public record. To do this you have to be 18+ and it involves submitting your name change to the courts in which they will either accept or deny your new name change. This type of deed poll will allow you to change other things like your birth certificate, however there are cons that come with this method. If accepted, an enrolled deed poll will allow any member of the public to access the record of your name change including both your old and new name. It is also a much longer and costly process which is not always necessary as the majority of important documents accept an unenrolled deed poll as proof of a name change.

For more information on changing your name via deed poll visit the UK Gov website here

If you were born in Scotland there are differences in the procedure for changing your name. Please visit the government site here for more information.