Accepted by the UK Government
Both are legally valid in England and Wales. Almost everyone uses an unenrolled deed poll — it's simpler, private and accepted by every major UK organisation. Create yours free.
An unenrolled deed poll is a private legal document. You prepare it, sign it in front of an independent adult witness, and use it as proof of your new name. It is not registered with any court or public body. This is the standard form of deed poll used across the UK.
An enrolled deed poll is registered with the Senior Courts of England and Wales (via the Royal Courts of Justice) and published in The London Gazette. It becomes part of the public record and is searchable by anyone.
Enrolment is a service provided by the courts under the Enrolment of Deeds (Change of Name) Regulations 1994. The application fee is currently £48 and the process takes several weeks. You must be a British or Commonwealth citizen aged 18 or over.
Both are equally legally binding for the purpose of changing your name. The enrolment adds public registration but does not add legal weight. Every UK government body, bank, employer and utility accepts an unenrolled deed poll.
Enrolment is normally chosen only if the person has a specific reason to prefer a public record — for example, executors, trustees or company directors sometimes prefer it so that a permanent public trace of the name change exists. It is not required for any everyday purpose.
An unenrolled deed poll is a single sheet of paper with your old and new names, your signature, and an independent witness's signature. An enrolled deed poll goes through the same drafting process but is then submitted to the courts with a supporting statutory declaration.
An enrolled deed poll is registered with the Senior Courts of England and Wales and published in The London Gazette. It becomes part of the public record and is available for anyone to search.
An unenrolled deed poll is a private legal document that changes your name without being registered anywhere. You prepare it, sign it in front of an independent adult witness, and use it as proof — no court is involved.
The legal effect is the same: both change your name. The difference is registration. Enrolled deed polls are held on public record and published in The London Gazette; unenrolled deed polls are private and not registered anywhere.
Unenrolled. It is quicker, cheaper, private and accepted by every UK government body, bank and other organisation. Enrolment is chosen only where public registration is specifically wanted.
Yes. Under English and Welsh law, an unenrolled deed poll that is properly drafted, signed and witnessed is legally binding for changing your name. Enrolment is optional and does not make the change any more valid.
Only in narrow circumstances. Some professional trustees, executors and company directors choose enrolment so that a public record of the name change exists. Some jurisdictions overseas may prefer it. For everyday purposes it is never required.
Submit an application to the Queen's Bench Division of the Senior Courts, along with a statutory declaration from someone who has known you for at least ten years, two copies of the deed poll and the enrolment fee. Full guidance is on the UK Government website.
The court fee is currently £48. There is also a fee for publication in The London Gazette (around £70 plus VAT). By comparison, an unenrolled deed poll is free if you prepare it yourself.
You would need to prepare a fresh enrolment-ready deed poll and go through the enrolment process. Your existing unenrolled deed poll remains valid regardless.
Yes. HM Passport Office accepts unenrolled deed polls as proof of a name change on any UK passport application.
Yes. The DVLA accepts unenrolled deed polls for driving licence and V5C updates.
Yes. All major UK banks and building societies accept unenrolled deed polls. If a bank ever hesitates, it is usually a training issue rather than a legal one — the deed poll is legally valid.
No. Enrolment is a paper-based process. You submit the deed poll and supporting statutory declaration to the court; no court appearance is required.
Higher cost, more paperwork, a much longer wait, and permanent public record of the name change. Enrolment is one-way — it cannot be reversed or withdrawn.
Yes, but only with the consent of everyone who holds parental responsibility, and only if the child is a British or Commonwealth citizen. Enrolment for children is subject to additional court scrutiny.
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Note: This site provides general information about UK unenrolled deed polls and is not a substitute for legal advice. We are independent and not affiliated with HM Government. If you need an enrolled deed poll, apply through the UK Government website.
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