Wills & Documents · Deeds
A change of name deed, often called a deed poll, is the formal document that records your decision to give up your old name and use a new one for all purposes. We prepare your deed correctly, deal with any consents needed, and guide you through changing a child's name too, including where the other parent does not agree.
At a glance
Who it is for
Anyone aged 16 or over changing their own name, and parents changing a child's name.
Two types
An unenrolled deed, which is valid and private, or an enrolled deed placed on public record.
Children need consent
Changing a child's name needs everyone with parental responsibility to agree, or a court order.
South Wimbledon office
This service is offered from our South Wimbledon office.
A change of name deed is a legal document, commonly known as a deed poll, by which you formally give up your former name and adopt a new one. Once it is signed and witnessed correctly, it is your proof of the change, and organisations such as HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC, your bank and your employer will use it to update their records. Anyone aged 16 or over can change their own name in this way.
A change of name deed is not, on its own, a form of identity. It works alongside your other documents to show who you now are. You can use it to change your surname, your forename, the spelling of a name, to add or remove a name, or to return to a previous name, for example after a divorce.
There are two forms of change of name deed, and both are equally valid in law. The difference is whether your change of name is placed on the public record.
Enrolment adds no extra legal validity, but a small number of organisations ask for an enrolled deed before they will update their records. The court fee to enrol is £53.05. We will advise you on which route suits your situation, so you are not put to unnecessary trouble or cost.
Changing a child's name is more involved than changing your own, and it is where mistakes are most often made. In England and Wales, the surname of a child under 16 can only be changed with the written consent of everyone who holds parental responsibility for that child. This is a firm rule. A parent's consent is needed even where they have been absent or out of contact, because parental responsibility does not simply lapse.
Where another parent will not consent, you do not have to give up. You can apply to the court for a specific issue order, and the court decides the question by what is in your child's best interests. It is worth knowing that if a child's name is changed without the necessary consent, the parent who did not agree can ask the court to reverse it, so it is important to do this properly from the start.
If you are seeking to change your own or your child's name because of domestic abuse, we understand how sensitive that is. You should not feel you have to approach someone who has harmed you for their consent. Where that is the case, the court route is there, and a judge can be asked to limit what is published if the deed is enrolled. We handle this quietly and in confidence, with your safety in mind. For free and confidential support at any time you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247, and in an emergency always call 999.
You have a great deal of freedom in choosing a new name, but there are limits: your name must include at least one forename and a surname, and it cannot be offensive, or chosen to deceive, or made up of numbers or symbols. You do not need a change of name deed simply to take your spouse's surname after marriage, as your marriage certificate is enough. A deed is needed where you want a combined or new surname that neither of you held before, or to change a name in other ways.
Please note: our change of name deed service is available from our South Wimbledon office at 191 Merton Road, London SW19 1EE. You are welcome to call us on 020 8543 3302 to arrange an appointment. The points on this page are correct as at June 2026 and are a general guide, not legal advice on your situation.
Preparing a change of name deed with us is straightforward. These are the main stages.
1. We advise on the right route
We talk through your new name, whether an unenrolled or enrolled deed suits you, and, for a child, what consents are needed or whether a court application is the right path.
2. We prepare your deed and any consents
We draft the deed with the correct wording, and for a child's change we prepare the consent letters for everyone with parental responsibility to sign.
3. Signing and witnessing
We oversee the signing and witnessing so the deed is executed correctly, which is what makes it acceptable to passport, driving and other authorities.
4. Enrolment or certified copies
If you are enrolling, we handle the application to the Royal Courts of Justice. Otherwise we provide certified copies and a checklist of who to notify, so you can update your records with ease.
Our solicitors make changing your name, or your child's, simple and correct, so it is accepted everywhere it needs to be.
We explain the difference between an unenrolled and an enrolled deed in plain language, and help you choose the route that fits, with no unnecessary cost.
We draft your deed with the correct wording and oversee the signing, so it is valid and accepted by the passport office, the DVLA, banks and others.
We prepare the consents needed, and where the other parent does not agree, we advise on and handle an application to the court for you.
We provide certified copies and a clear checklist of who to inform, so updating your records afterwards is as painless as possible.
We offer a change of name deed for a clear fixed fee, agreed in writing before any work begins. If you choose to enrol the deed, the Royal Courts of Justice charge a court fee of £53.05, which is separate from our fee. A child's name change that has to go to court is charged differently, and we will explain the cost fully before you commit. Changing your name is not covered by legal aid. There is no charge for an initial phone conversation, and this service is available from our South Wimbledon office.
A change of name deed, or deed poll, is a legal document by which you give up your old name and adopt a new one for all purposes. Once signed and witnessed correctly, it is your proof of the change, and organisations such as the passport office, the DVLA and your bank use it to update their records.
For a simple change of your own name, you do not strictly need a solicitor. Where our help matters is getting the wording and witnessing right so it is accepted everywhere, changing a child's name, dealing with a parent who will not consent, and enrolment. We make sure it is done correctly the first time.
Both are equally valid. An unenrolled deed is private and is what most people use. An enrolled deed is registered with the Royal Courts of Justice and published in the London Gazette, so it becomes a public record. Enrolment costs £53.05 and is available to those aged 18 or over. It adds no extra legal validity.
Yes, but the surname of a child under 16 can only be changed with the written consent of everyone who has parental responsibility. Consent is needed even from a parent who is absent. If everyone agrees, it is straightforward. If not, you can apply to the court to decide.
You can apply to the court for a specific issue order, and the court decides by what is best for your child. Changing a child's name without the necessary consent is risky, because the other parent can ask the court to reverse it. We can advise on your prospects and handle the application for you.
Not to take your spouse's surname. Your marriage certificate is enough for that, and every government body and most banks accept it. You would only need a deed where you want a new combined surname that neither of you held before, or to change your name in some other way.
We offer it for a clear fixed fee, agreed in writing before any work starts. If you enrol the deed, there is a separate court fee of £53.05. A child's name change that has to go to court is charged differently, and we explain that cost fully in advance. The initial phone conversation is free.
Last updated: June 2026.
