A deed poll is the recognised legal document for changing a child's name in the UK. We'll guide you through the specific requirements, including parental consent.
Any person with parental responsibility for a child can apply to change that child's name. This is typically one or both parents, but may also include legal guardians in some circumstances.
If only one person has parental responsibility, they can change the child's name without anyone else's consent. If two or more people share parental responsibility, all of them must agree to — and sign — the deed poll.
In the UK, parental responsibility is the legal right to make decisions about a child's upbringing. A mother automatically has parental responsibility. A father has parental responsibility if he is married to the mother, named on the birth certificate (for births registered after 1 December 2003), or if a parental responsibility agreement or court order is in place.
If another person holds parental responsibility and does not consent to the name change, you cannot legally change the child's name without a court order. We are unable to process applications where consent has not been obtained from all parties with parental responsibility. If you are in this situation, we recommend seeking legal advice.
From age 16, a young person can apply for their own deed poll without parental consent, though parents' approval is still recommended. From age 18, they are fully independent in this regard.
If both parents share parental responsibility, yes — both must sign the deed poll for it to be valid. We include space for both signatures on the document. Both parties sign in front of a witness when the document arrives.
If you are the sole person with parental responsibility, you can change the child's name without anyone else's consent. We'll prepare the deed poll accordingly. You may be asked to provide evidence of sole parental responsibility by some organisations.
Courts take a child's wishes into account, particularly as they get older. If a child strongly objects to a name change, it is worth seeking legal advice before proceeding.
Yes. Schools, GPs, and all NHS services will update their records when presented with the deed poll. We include a guide covering how to notify each type of organisation.
A deed poll can be used for children of any age, from newborns upwards. For children aged 16 and over, it is good practice to involve them in the process, though legally parental responsibility still applies until age 18.
Important note: We are an independent document provider specialising in unenrolled deed polls. We are not affiliated with HM Government. If you need an Enrolled Deed Poll, visit the UK Government website.