Deciding to change your name is a deeply personal choice, and our experienced Change of Name Deed solicitors here at Ramsdens are ready to support you through every step of this important process.
Formally changing your name
Our dedicated family team at Ramsdens includes Change of Name Deed solicitors who will make the process as simple and stress-free as possible. We can prepare a ‘Change of Name Deed’ for you which includes the following important declarations:
- You will abandon your previous name
- You will use your new name at all times from the date of the Change of Name Deed
- You will use your new name as a form of address
- You will stop using your former name in all documents and be known by your new name going forward
We’re here to ensure that your name change is handled smoothly and efficiently.
How to change your name
- Let us know your current name and the new name you wish to adopt
- We will draft your Change of Name Deed. You can either receive it by mail or attend an appointment with our family team
- When you sign the document, you will need to sign in both your old and new names, with your signature witnessed
- We will provide you with the original Change of Name Deed and three certified copies
How to change a child’s name
We can also help you change a child’s name. Here’s what you need to know:
- All individuals with parental responsibility must consent to the child’s name change
- If consent is not given by all, you will need to apply to the court for a Specific Issue Order to change the child’s name. The court will approve the change if it believes it is in the child’s best interest
- Once granted, the court order can serve as evidence that the child’s name has been officially changed
Enrolled Change of Name Deed
Some organisations, including the British Passport Office and DVLA, may require individuals to change their name by deed poll. Enrolling a deed poll is a more formal way of changing your name and requires putting your new name on public record. An application is made to the Royal Courts of Justice and your new name is published in The Gazette.
You should first ask the organisation to clarify which document they will accept as proof of your new name.
Enrolled Change of Name Deed of adults
To change your name by enrolled deed poll you must be a:
- British citizen; or
- British dependent territories citizen; or
- Commonwealth citizen
A statutory declaration also needs to be completed by someone who:
- has known you for 10 years or more;
- is a British or Commonwealth citizen;
- owns or rents a property; and
- is not your spouse, civil partner or any other relative by birth or marriage.
If you have not known anyone for more than 10 years, we can prepare a written statement that explains the reasons why. This should not prevent you from obtaining an Enrolled Change of Name Deed.
Once the documentation has been completed, a notice is placed in The Gazette publishing your new name. If for any reason you think publishing your details in The Gazette will put you at risk, a short statement can be written with any supporting proof.
Our team will be able to take you through the process step by step. Here’s how it works:
- Let us know your current name and the new name you wish to adopt
- Let us know your relationship status. If you are married or in a civil partnership, we will require the written permission of the other party.
- We will draft the following forms required:
- Change of Name Deed;
- Statutory Declaration; and
- Notice for The Gazette
- Once the documents are drafted you can either receive them by mail or attend an appointment with our family team
- When you sign the document, your signature will need to be witnessed by two independent witnesses
- The statutory declaration (see details above) will need to be witnessed by a solicitor (which we can fulfil) or a Commissioner for Oaths
- Once all the documents have been executed, we will arrange to send them to the Royal Courts of Justice for approval, who will then return the completed documents
- We will provide you with the original Enrolled Change of Name Deed and two certified copies
Enrolled Change of Name Deed for children
If you wish to change your child’s name by deed poll, all individuals with parental responsibility must consent to the child’s name change. If consent is not given by all parties, you will need to apply to the court for a Specific Issue Order to change the child’s name.
To change your child’s name by enrolled deed poll, the process is the same as for adults except that:
- The statutory declaration needs to be completed by someone who has known the parent for 10 years or more. If the parents of the child have not known anyone for more than 10 years, we can prepare a written statement that explains the reasons why. This should not prevent you from obtaining an enrolled change of name deed for your child.
Once the documentation has been completed, a notice is placed in The Gazette publishing your child’s new name. If for any reason you think publishing your child’s details in The Gazette will put your child at risk, they may agree to only publish your child’s first name. You will also need an affidavit of best interest which Ramsdens will draft for you.
