Deed Poll Name Change

You may often get told you need a deed poll to change your name.  Be wary of where you get your advice from because many companies that sell deed polls may lead you to believe this is your only choice!

When changing your name for reasons other than taking your husband's surname, you have a number of options:

1) Name change by association.  Notify family, friends and colleagues of your new name and start using it immediately.  Your name change will have taken effect by reputation in the community and you can use your new name without taking any formal steps.  Organisations such as the passports office and banks will not issue official documentation under your new name as would become difficult to prove account ownership if people can change names this easily. You will still have your old name on most legal documents but will be known by your new name in the community.

2) If you want your records and accounts to be updated in your new name you can undertake a deed poll.  Contrary to popular belief there is no central register for deed polls.  Chose a reputable company if you want to go through this process and check if they can provide duplicates when required.  Consider getting a spare copy and storing it safely in a second location, such as a relative's house.  This process is best if you want to have your identity documents such as your passport and drivers license, changed into your new name.

3) If you have changed your name by marriage and you want to take a double barrelled surname you may have been told you need to undertake a deed poll.  This is not always correct.  It is up to the company that manages your accounts or records as to what evidence they will accept for a new name.  Many will ask for a deed poll certificate, but if you can provide an updated passport or driving licence this may suffice.  As the DLVA, DVA and passports office will allow you to take a double barreled surname on presentation of a wedding certificate, try updating these items first then using this to make other name changes easier.

4) A letter from a reasonable person.  This is one of the lesser known methods to changing your name.  You can follow the same procedure outlined in option 1 and just start using a new name.  Where you are asked for evidence of your new name you can produce a letter from a reasonable person, such as a policeman, headmaster or doctor.  It is then at the discretion of the company that manages your records and accounts if they decide to change your name over.  In time you may have many accounts under your preferred name.  In many cases it may not bother you what name your accounts are in, as your friends and family will know you by your preferred name.

Any UK citizen aged 16 years or over can apply for a name change via deed poll. It is illegal to change your name if you are doing so to defraud or deceive anyone.  There are special circumstances for those who are bankrupt, have a criminal record and for foreign nationals.  If you fall into one of these groups we advise you ask the issuer of your deed poll for further information.

As part of the deed poll process you must intend for your new name to be used for all purposes, so you will need to ensure you only use your new name and you will need to ensure your accounts and records are updated nto the one consistent name as soon as practical.  Easy Name Change can help you go about the time consuming and often confusion process to change your name with all organisations where you have an account or membership.

By law you can not legally have two names.  This means if you have changed your name by deed poll it is your responsibility to update your driving license, passport and all other documents immediatley.  It can be difficult to know how to go about this process as most companies do not post this information on their websites, and you are often left to call every single company yourself to ask how to update your account.  Let Easy Name Change save you hours of mind numbing research- On average our Easy Name Change kits save clients 5 hours of administration work.  We create all your personalised name change requests and provide you with any forms you may need. Upon payment of just £19.95, an Easy Name Change personalised kit will be emailed to you.  All you need to do is print, sign, add supporting documents where indicated, and post.  If any of your nominated companies allow your account to be updated by phone or email we provide you with all the information you need so you don't need to do any research yourself.

Change Your Name The Easy Way™

Unlike most other name change services, Easy Name Change™ provides you a personalised and complete letter for every company you nominate. Our customers can save up to 10 hours by using our service as you do not need to look up any contact details, call to ask what information each company requires or write a custom letter to each. You don't even need to address an envelope!

Whether you are a newlywed, divorcee or perfroming a legal name change, Easy Name Change provides complete name change kits to suit any budget.

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Updated Regularly (Last Updated Mar 2010)
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Cost (inc VAT)	£9.95	£19.95	£49.95