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There are many reasons to change your own or your child’s name. From marriage or divorce and other family reasons to personal choice, whatever your decision, we will support you to get your new name legally recognised.
It is done by preparing the required documents and collecting them to form a Deed of Change of Name which is submitted to the courts after being signed and witnessed. Our family solicitors make this process simple from the start, laying out the process and everything you need to do.
Changing your Name via Deed Poll
When you “Enrol” a deed poll you are applying to have your new name legally recognised in the UK. This is important for not only for your personal feeling of identity but also for practical reasons including future house purchases with a spouse and much more.
Change of Name for Adults
In the UK you do not need to follow any legal procedure to go by a different name. You may call yourself whatever you choose if you are not defrauding anyone. However, this may cause you practical difficulties, for example, you may need to produce a document in order to obtain a passport or driving licence and the organisations that issue these documents may require evidence in writing that you have legally changed your name.
Once you have completed the process, you can then send the Deed to bodies such as the UK Passport Agency and HMRC so they can update their records and issue you a new national insurance card. Get the process started today with our expert Family Solicitors.
How do I Prove my Name Change?
You can prove your change of name by producing a marriage or civil partnership certificate, decree absolute or certificate of dissolution of civil partnership. You should keep these documents alongside your birth certificate. If you are thinking of using this method, you should find out whether the organisations you would like to advise of your Change of Name will accept this as evidence.
Our Name Change Service
We can help prepare a Change of Name Deed document for you for a fixed fee of £75 plus VAT.
For this cost we can prepare a Change of Name Deed Poll which has to be signed in the presence of two witnesses and the witnesses must give their names, addresses and occupations. This can be enrolled at the Central Office of the Supreme Court. A fee is payable to the Court to do this.
Who is Eligible to Enrol a Deed Poll?
Only British citizens who are permanently resident in the UK are entitled to enrol a Deed Poll. We can prepare this document for you and lodge the document at the Central Office of the Supreme Court for a fixed fee of £300 + VAT. In addition to this you will also need to pay the Court fee required upon the lodgement of this document with the Central Office of the Supreme Court.
Change of Name via Deed Poll for Children
A child’s name is important as it is part of their identity, especially their surname. It can be simple to change your child’s name, but this matter can become complicated if parents are separated, and only one parent wishes to change the child’s surname. Whether they can do so depends on if they have parental responsibility for that child. We can review your situation and provide individual advice.
Who has the Right to Change a Child’s Name?
The parent with parental responsibility has the right to change their child’s name without the other parent’s consent if they do not have parental responsibility. However, it is accepted practice, and a parent could be criticised if they did not seek the other parent’s consent to change the child’s name. A solicitor would normally contact the absent parent in this situation.
What if both Parents have Parental Responsibility?
Where both parents have parental responsibility, if one parent wishes to change the child’s surname then there must be consent from the other. Again, a solicitor will write to the parent asking for the consent and if this is given a Change of Name Deed can be prepared. If the parents cannot agree on the child’s change of name, then an application will have to be made to the Court for a decision on what the child should be called.
Does a Child Over 16 need Parents’ Consent to Change Their Name?
A person who is aged over 16 does not need their parents’ consent to change their name. They are allowed to make the decision of their name for themselves and can seek legal counsel to take this forward. They can, however, only apply for Deed Poll at the age of 18.
Our Name Change Service for Children
We are experienced family law specialists in disputes concerning children who can advise on the options available to parents wishing to change their child’s name. We can also advise you on whether a parent has parental responsibility or not.
We can prepare a child’s Change of Name Deed document and send one letter to the absent parent asking for their consent for a one-off fee of £75 + VAT. If the absent parent does not agree then a further fee will be required, depending on the level of work to be undertaken. We will advise you of this in advance of the work being carried out.
Our Approach
Our family law solicitors approach your situation with empathy and impartiality, focusing on the best result for the individuals involved. We tailor our response to each situation and work closely with you during the process.
Our Work
Our Family Solicitors are friendly, dependable and supportive so you will immediately feel the benefit of coming to us. We also have the extensive resources available to provide the support you need and complete the admin needed to change your name.
Our Clients
We work for anybody who needs their own name, or their child’s name, changed. While our method is similar our approach will be tailored to you and your needs.
