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How to complete the child deed poll statutory declaration

Updated 20 August 2025

Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-declaration-for-changing-a-childs-name-by-deed-poll-form-loc024/how-to-complete-the-child-deed-poll-statutory-declaration

Before you start

Before applying you should first read the full guide on changing your or a child’s 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 if applying by post
  • how to apply online if you prefer

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

You must also complete:

If you apply online, you do not need to download the statutory declaration. It will be emailed to you to print and complete after you have applied.

Complete the deed poll statutory declaration

This must be completed by a person that knows you and the child. They’re known as the ‘declarant’. They must declare that you are who your application says you are.

The declarant must:

  • have known you for 10 years or longer
  • be a British or Commonwealth citizen – find out about the citizenship requirements for the child and your declarant
  • a householder in the UK (someone who owns or rents their home in the UK or is responsible for paying household bills and expenses there)

The declarant cannot be your:

  • husband or wife
  • civil partner
  • any other relative (by birth or marriage)

However, they could be a friend or a colleague for example.

If you have not known anyone for 10 years or longer, you must include a witness statement that explains why. The statement must include the following wording:

‘I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth.’

A judge will decide if the child’s change of name can be enrolled. If you have known your declarant for less than 10 years, they must still complete the statutory declaration form.

The declarant can also sign the deed poll form (LOC022) as one of the witnesses.

Swearing to the truth of the statutory declaration

Once the declarant has completed the statutory declaration, they must swear that it is true in the presence of someone authorised to witness the signing of important legal documents. This could be:

  • a solicitor
  • a commissioner for oaths
  • an officer of the court

If you want an officer of the court to be a witness, you must call the deed poll office to arrange an appointment at the Royal Courts of Justice.

If you would prefer to use a solicitor or commissioner for oaths, you can find guidance on getting legal advice and information.

When the declarant swears that the declaration is true, they must do so either by oath on a holy book or by giving an affirmation, which is where a statement of truth is read out.

The solicitor, commissioner for oaths or officer of the court must also print and sign the statutory declaration form.

You will be charged a fee when the declarant makes their oath or affirmation. If the oath or affirmation is made in court, the fee is £14. The fee may be different if the oath or affirmation is being made in the presence of a solicitor or commissioner for oaths.

The statutory declaration must be printed single-sided.

Get help with a deed poll

If you need to ask a question about the child’s 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.

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