Change your name by deed poll

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Enrol a deed poll with the courts

You can put your new name on public record by ‘enrolling’ it with the High Court.

You can enrol a deed poll online or by post. It costs £53.05.

A public record of your name change and your address will be published in The Gazette. If you have a strong reason why your details should not be published, explain why in your application. The judge may agree to only publish your first name or surname.

You’ll be sent a copy of your Gazette notice by email or post.

It can take several weeks to enrol a deed poll. You can ask the Deed Poll Office for an update on your application 16 weeks after you apply.

Before you apply

You’ll need to provide a copy of one of the following:

  • a birth certificate
  • a valid passport
  • a certificate of naturalisation 

You may also be asked to provide supporting documents such as:

  • adoption documents (if you were adopted)
  • a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate (if you’re married or in a civil partnership)
  • the written consent of your husband, wife or partner (if you’re married or in a civil partnership)
  • a consent letter (if the person applying is unable to complete the form on their own behalf because of medical reasons)

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you’ll also need to provide certified translations of them.

If you’re divorced or widowed 

You’ll also need to provide either:

  • a photocopy of your decree absolute or final order 
  • your husband, wife or partner’s death certificate 

Apply online

You’ll need a debit or credit card to use this service. You’ll be told how to pay after submitting your application.

Follow these steps to enrol a deed poll online. 

  1. Apply online.

  2. Complete forms LOC020, LOC021 and LOC027. The forms will be sent to you by email.

  3. Sign form LOC020 in front of 2 witnesses. Sign forms LOC021 and LOC027 in front of a solicitor.

  4. Post the completed forms to the Deed Poll Office.

Start now

Once you start your online application, you have the option to save it and come back to it later. You must submit your application within 28 days or you’ll have to start again.

If you’re under 18, follow the process for changing a child’s name.

What happens next

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) will review your application and email you 3 forms: the LOC020, the LOC021 and the LOC027. You need to print and complete each form. 

The LOC020 form needs to be signed in front of 2 witnesses, who will also need to sign the form.

The LOC021 and LOC027 forms need to be signed in front of a solicitor or another authorised witness. They will also need to sign the form.

Post your completed forms to the Deed Poll Office.

Deed Poll Office
King’s Bench Division
Room E15
The Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL

Once your application is complete and has been approved, the Deed Poll Office will seal your deed and send it back to you by post. This is proof of your name change.

Apply by post

Read the guidance on each form page before completing the following forms:

Sign the LOC020 form in front of 2 witnesses. Your witnesses will also need to sign it.

The LOC021 and LOC027 forms need to be signed in front of a solicitor or another authorised witness. They will also need to sign the form.

Post your forms to the Deed Poll Office.

Deed Poll Office
King’s Bench Division
Room E15
The Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL

Check you’ve completed the forms correctly before you submit them. If the forms have any mistakes in them, they will be sent back to you.

Pay the fee

To pay by credit or debit card, call the High Court Fees Office.

High Court Fees Office
Telephone: 020 3936 8957 (select option 1)
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

You can also pay by postal order or cheque (payable to ‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service’).

You’ll be given a fee reference number after you’ve paid.

What happens next

Once your application is complete and has been approved, the Deed Poll Office will seal your deed and send it back to you by post. This is proof of your name change.

If you need help or support 

It can take up to 16 weeks to process a deed poll application. The Deed Poll Office cannot give you an update on your application during this time.

Contact the Deed Poll Office.

Deed Poll Office
kbdeedspoll@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 3936 8957 (select option 6)
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

It’s a criminal offence if you’re a registered offender and you do not tell the police you’ve changed your name.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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