Who is eligible?

British Citizens, Foreign Nationals, Asylum Seekers and Refugees who are residing in the UK, whether children or adults, irrespective of sexual orientation, race or religion, can adopt a new name or title using a Deed Poll.  

 

         

British Citizens (aged 16+)

If you are aged 16 or older and you are a British Citizen pursuant to the British Nationality Act 1981, you can change your legal name, and/or gender title, by Deed Poll. You are likely to be a British Citizen if you were born in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Bailiwick of Guernsey or the Bailiwick of Jersey.

You can change your legal name as many times as you wish and there are no limitations on the name that you can choose, if you wish to be called 'Julia Brown-Smith' or 'Derek Rodney-Trotter', then as a British Citizen you have a legal right to do so, moreover, you can exercise that right at any time.

You can change your gender title, for example, from Ms to Mrs or Mr, however, the Legal Deed Service cannot permit you to change your title to, for example, Lord or Lady.

If you currently live in the United Kingdom you can apply today by clicking here.

British Children (aged 15-)

For children under the age of 16, the person(s) who retain parental responsibility (mother and/or father) for the child can consent to changing the child's name.

If your child currently lives in the United Kingdom you can apply today by clicking here.

 

 

            

Civil Partnerships

Following a Civil Partnership you and your partner may wish to hyphenate your current surnames, moreover, you and your partner may wish to adopt an entirely new name.

You can apply for a name change by clicking here.

Gender Reassignment

The Legal Deed Service is proving popular with people who are preparing for gender reassignment and for people who have already changed their gender.

You can apply for a name change and gender title change by clicking here.

 

 

       

Foreign Nationals

Ignore the flags; it doesn't matter where you are from. Foreign nationals who are currently residing in the United Kingdom are eligible to apply for a Deed Poll.

Dependant upon where you are from there may be different procedures to follow when you decide to change your name. For example, the Pakistan High Commission requires the Deed Poll used by its nationals to be witnessed by a Solicitor. The Danish Embassy, however, requires its nationals to have their Deed Poll legalised.

You do not need to worry about this, we will contact the consular services section of your country's embassy or high commission in London in order to ascertain what special requirements must be satisfied.

If you are applying for British Citizenship, your Deed Poll will be accepted by the UK Border & Immigration Agency and your naturalisation certificate and British passport will be issued in your assumed name.

You can apply for a Deed Poll by clicking here.

 

 

            

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

It does not matter where you have come from, the UK Border and Immigration Agency will accept a Deed Poll from us, however, you must currently be residing in the UK.

You can apply for a name change by clicking here.

 

 

Performers, Actors and Singers

For professional reasons, many performers (e.g. Singers/Actors/Drag Artists) choose to change their names by Deed Poll. Cilla Black, was previously Prescilla White. James Brown the Godfather of Snooker, was previously Jimmy White. Sir Elton John was previously Reginald Kenneth Dwight.

You can apply for a name change by clicking here.

 

Doing it for charity

If you choose to change your name in aid of a charity, you could change it for a limited period of time, for example, just for one week or even one day. You may consider choosing the name Mr. Cancer Research or Mrs. Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

You are entitled to a significant fee reduction if you are changing your name in aid of a charity. Please send the details including the charity registration number of the charity that you are supporting to: reception.desk@thelegaldeedservice.org.uk.

 

 

                                    

 What is a Deed Poll?         Is it worth it?           Accepted by?               Am I eligible?          Apply today!