There is no need for a deed poll to cost anything.  If you have access to a printer, a deed poll can be done from home without applying to any online companies.  An unenrolled deed poll can be done using a template, which can be provided by Mermaids.  We suggest printing out several copies with the details added accordingly with your child’s current legal name and the name change that they wish to be known by.  Two independent witness signatures will be required, both of whom need to be over 18 years, permanent residents in the UK and not family members.  An unenrolled deed poll, done by yourself, is currently accepted by the Passport Office, the DWP, Banks etc.  

In most circumstances you can legally change your name by a deed poll independently from your parents from the age of 16 years.  A deed poll is a legal document which officially recognises someone’s change of name.  You can create your own Deed Poll using a template from our website, adding your own details, this will include your old name and your new name and will state your intention to only use the new name.  You can also include your change of title like ‘Miss’, ‘Mr’ and ‘Mx’ for example. By presenting this document to your bank, GP surgery, and school/college this will then mean they can update their systems in your new name.  It is also important to inform HMRC for the name on your National Insurance number to be changed, and for those claiming benefits the Department of Work and Pensions. 

You don’t need a Solicitor to witness the deed poll or to register the deed poll anywhere, you just need two independent witnesses (someone who isn’t a member of your family, is a permanent resident in the UK and 18 or over) to sign it.  

This deed poll can also be used to change your name on your Passport. However, to change your gender marker as well you will need to ask your GP to sign a supporting letter.  

There are some circumstances where a young person does not have the right to change their own name at 16 yrs and they may need to wait until they reach 18 years of age. Some of these exceptions include: 

• A Child Arrangement Order in England & Wales which includes arrangements relating to who the child is to live with. 

• A Residence Order in England, Wales or Northern Ireland 

• A Special Guardianship Order in England & Wales 

• A Care Order or an interim Care Order 

You can change their name by a Deed Poll. A Deed Poll is a document that says your child’s old legal name and new legal name and states your intention to only use the new name. Anyone with parental responsibility for your child can do this for them if they are younger than 16, if they have received consent from everyone with parental responsibility. A template document for you to fill in is available.  

You will need to edit it to include your and your child’s details. You can also include a change to their title like ‘Miss’, ‘Mr’ and ‘Mx’ for example. This will allow you to get all your child’s documents like passports and medical records changed to refer to their new name.  

You don’t need a Solicitor or to go anywhere, you just need two independent witnesses (someone who isn’t a member of your family, permanently resident in the UK and 18 or over) to sign it. This won’t be enough to change your child’s gender on official documents – that’s a different process – but it can be an important step in their transition.  

Generally, consent must be obtained from all those with parental responsibility (more information about what is meant by ‘parental responsibility’ can be found here) when a child is under the age of 16. If one parent does not give their consent, the other parent can apply for a Specific Issue Order to the Family Courts, but legal advice should be sought before deciding whether this is appropriate. You can find out more information at the UK Deed Poll Service. 

Yes, if you have been unsuccessful in making reasonable attempts to find and get in touch with the child’s other parent. You will be able to say that the parent is absent and that you have parental responsibility on the form. It is a good idea to seek legal advice in this area before proceeding.

Anyone can sign and witness the deed poll if they are over 18, permanently live in the UK, know you, and are not a relative, partner, or living at the same address as you.  

Yes. The deed poll will be accepted by institutions in the UK. However, you should check with the embassy of the country that you are a citizen of to get your passport changed. If you’re a US citizen for example, the deed poll will be accepted if it has been signed by a UK qualified solicitor.  

Yes, a deed poll is a valid way to change your name in Scotland — as much as it is in England & Wales, and it will be accepted by all organisations and government bodies. There are some differences in Scottish law about parental responsibility that apply to children who were born in Scotland, and to some extent to children who live in Scotland.  People who were born in Scotland also have the option to change their name on their birth certificate.  There are some limitations to this service, and there are both advantages and disadvantages to changing your name in this way.  Note that it does not affect your right to change your name by deed poll instead, and many people choose to change their name by deed poll anyway. 

Yes, a deed poll is a valid way to change your name in Northern Ireland – as much as it is in England & Wales, and it will be accepted by all organisations and government bodies.  

There are some differences about the process should you wish to register your new name. These processes are different if you are under and over 18, with under 18s needing to have parental signature. For more information, visit this website.

It is possible to obtain new certificates in the new name, each examining board will be different, so look at them individually online. For example, AQA do it for free if you email them with a copy of your deed poll and new ID.  You may also want to write to your school and request that their records be changed accordingly – some employers/further education colleges may ask schools for a reference. 

You only need to have a deed poll witnessed by a solicitor or a notary public if: 

• You or your child is a British national living abroad
• You or your child are a British national living in the Bailiwick of Jersey
• You are a foreign national
• You need to have you or your child’s deed poll legalised (this is an important if you need your deed poll to be recognised in another country – click here to learn more)  

Yes, it’s possible (and sometimes necessary) to use your deed poll as proof of your change of name outside the U.K., but you’ll probably need to have it witnessed by a solicitor. You may also need to have it legalised (as discussed in  question 10 above). Whether or not you need to have this done is a question for the organisation or authority that you want to show the deed poll to.

However, you can’t use your deed poll as an international identity document — a deed poll is not a proof of identity. When you go through border control, you need to have a valid passport in your current name. In fact, it’s important that all your tickets, visas, travel insurance, and other travel documents are all in the same name as what’s in your passport — or else you may have difficulties being allowed through border control and customs. 

Adapt the consent letters as appropriate (available to download below) and send them with each deed poll as this is the part that instructs to change the gender marker and title. We suggest that you make a list of everywhere you will need to send the deed poll to, which will perhaps include the school, GP, bank, passport and anywhere which has a record of the previous name and gender.

• GP Surgery: Present the Deed Poll at the GP surgery along with a covering letter stating clearly that you’d like your name and title (Ms/Mr/Mx) to be changed.   
• Department of Work and Pensions – Benefits: Report any changes to you or your child’s details online here. You need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you report.  
• National Insurance and other tax information: To tell HMRC yourself about a name change or gender change, you can write to Special Section D with your National Insurance number, new and old names and send them to: 

HMRC 

Special Section D 

Room BP9207 

Benton Park View 

Newcastle upon Tyne 

NE98 1ZZ 

• Driving licence: To change the name and gender on a driving licence, you need to request form D1 from any post office, fill in the form and send it to the DVLA using the process on the form with a copy of any documents that show your new name and gender, like the deed poll and a letter from a GP.  More information on the DVLA website is here.  
• Passports: The Passport office accept an unenrolled Deed Poll to change the name of children and adults.  The Deed Poll would need to be included with the passport application as proof of name change.  If this is the first time applying for a passport then the passport office would also require to see an original birth certificate.  A gender marker of a child or adult can also be changed on a passport.  In order for this to request to be fulfilled this must be accompanied with a signed letter from the persons GP stating that “this change is likely to be permanent”.  A GP’s willingness to do this may vary and it is not something they are obliged to do.  There’s some helpful information and guidance in this booklet here.

• Bank accounts: Just send a covering letter with a copy of the deed poll to your bank. They will then require a new signature. You can also sometimes do this in your local branch.  
• GCSE and A level certificates: It is possible to obtain new ones in the new name, each examining board will be different, so look at them individually online. For example, AQA do it for free if you email them with a copy of your deed poll and new ID.  You may also want to write to your old school and request that your records be changed accordingly – some employers/further education colleges may ask schools for a reference.