What is a Deed Poll?

How Does a Name Change Work in the UK?

Under UK Common Law, any adult (16+) can legally change their name at any time without court permission, provided there is no intent to commit fraud or evade debt. However, government agencies (HM Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC) and banks demand proof of your change. A Deed Poll serves as this legal proof.

Does a Deed Poll Change My Birth Certificate?

A common misconception is that a legal name change alters your birth certificate. In England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland:

• A Birth Certificate is a historical record of facts registered at the time of your birth. It cannot be altered by a Deed Poll.
• When applying for a passport, driving licence, or mortgage, you present your original birth certificate together with your official Deed Poll to prove your identity flow.
• Exceptions: A birth certificate can only be amended within 12 months of birth (under Section 13 Births & Deaths Registration Act 1953) or following a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC).

Where is the Birth Certificate Number Located?

If a government portal asks for your Birth Certificate Number:

• On a standard full UK birth certificate, look at the top right header: it displays an Entry Number (e.g. Entry No. 241).
• The system also uses the System ID number printed at the bottom right corner of modern certificates issued by the General Register Office (GRO).

Enrolled vs. Unenrolled Deed Polls

There are two types of Deed Polls in the UK:

• Unenrolled Deed Poll: Executed by you and signed by an independent witness. It is 100% legally valid, private, fast, and accepted everywhere including HM Passport Office, DVLA, and banks.
• Enrolled Deed Poll: Submitted to the Royal Courts of Justice. It requires public advertisement in The London Gazette, making your home address permanently public.

Frequently Asked Questions