Form

How to complete the adult deed poll form

Updated 20 August 2025

Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales

• Publication for Scotland

Before you start

Before applying you should first read the full guide on changing your name by deed poll. This includes: 

• when you do and do not need a deed poll 
• how to make your own deed poll 
• the documents you must include when you apply to enrol a deed poll
• the fee to enrol a deed poll 
• where to send your completed forms
• how you can apply online if you prefer
• how to change a child’s name by deed poll 

If you were born in Scotland, you should follow the rules and guidance for changing your name in Scotland.

You must also complete and include: 

• a deed poll statutory declaration for an adult
• photocopies of certain documents – these will be your ‘exhibits’. See the full guide for information about the documents you must include
• a cover sheet for each exhibit – you can use our template exhibit cover sheet

If you apply online, you do not need to complete the deed poll form. It will be completed for you and sent to you to print and sign after you have applied.

Complete the deed poll form

You must include all the details of your new name and your old name throughout the form, including any middle names. This is a legal document, which becomes your deed poll, so therefore must: 

• have no crossings out or mistakes 
• be printed single-sided 

You must declare your relationship status. If you’re married or in a civil partnership, you will need the written permission of your husband, wife or partner if changing your name. 

You must sign the form in front of 2 witnesses. Your witnesses will also need to sign it.

You must take a photocopy of the form to include in your exhibits. We will keep the photocopy for reference and to make copies if you need them. We will return the original deed poll form to you as your copy.

Your citizenship

To change your name by deed poll, you must be a: 

• British citizen 
• Commonwealth citizen 
• British dependent territories citizen

The person who signs your statutory declaration (your ‘declarant’) must also be a UK, Commonwealth or British independent territory citizen.

You must include on the form the section of the British Nationality Act 1981 that qualifies you as a citizen. Your declarant must include on the statutory declaration which section of the act qualifies their citizenship.

Section 1 (1)

If you were born on or after either: 

• 1 January 1983 in the UK
• 21 May 2002 in a British dependent territory or a Commonwealth country

And at the time of your birth your mother or father was either:

• a British citizen
• settled in the UK or the country where you were born

Section 6 (1)

You have a certificate of naturalisation.

Section 11 (1)

If you were born on or before 31 December 1982 in the UK, a British dependent territory or a Commonwealth country, and are either:

• a British citizen
• a citizen with the right to remain in the UK under the Immigration Act 1971 (as then in force)

Section 37 (1)

If you are a citizen of a British dependent territory or a Commonwealth country.

Get help with a deed poll

If you need to ask a question about your change of name, contact the Deed Poll Team at the King’s Bench Division. 

Deed Poll Team 
King’s Bench Division 
Royal Court of Justice 
Strand 
London 
WC2A 2LL 

Telephone: 020 3936 8957 (option 6) 
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm 
Closed on bank holidays 
Find out about call charges

Email: kbdeedspoll@justice.gov.uk
We aim to respond within 10 working days. 

The email address is for queries only. You must not submit the deed poll forms by email. 

You can also contact the Deed Poll Team if you have a query about an existing deed poll that is 5 years old or less. 

If you have a query about a deed poll that is older than 5 years, contact The National Archives.