Accepted by the UK Government
A properly worded UK deed poll, personalised with your details. Free to generate, free to print. Legally valid once you sign it in front of two witnesses.
A deed poll is only legally effective if the wording is right. Blank templates found elsewhere are easy to fill in incorrectly, and once you've signed, an incorrectly worded document can be questioned or rejected by banks, HM Passport Office or the DVLA.
Under English and Welsh law, a valid deed poll must state your former name and your new name in full, declare that you absolutely renounce your former name, declare that you will use only the new name from the date of the deed, require others to address you by the new name, be dated, be signed in both your old and new names, and be signed by two adult witnesses aged 18 or over.
This generator uses the established legal format, produces the wording in the correct order, and inserts your details in the right places. What you get is a printable deed poll ready to sign.
An adult deed poll is a personal declaration signed by the person changing their name. A child deed poll is different: it's a declaration made on the child's behalf by those with parental responsibility, and the wording, structure and signature blocks all reflect that.
The generator produces the correct template for each. Choose ‘Adult’ for anyone aged 16 or over, or ‘Child’ for anyone under 16 (all people with parental responsibility must sign). If you're changing a child's name and only some of the parents will sign, read our guide to changing a child's name first — the rules on parental responsibility can catch people out.
Your printed deed poll will be handled, stamped and posted around. Making it look the part removes friction. Print on good quality white A4, single-sided, in solid black ink. Avoid faded prints, streaky cartridges, creased pages or double-sided printing — some counter staff will refuse them.
You can also order a professionally prepared version on premium certificate paper with an embossed gold seal. The legal wording is identical to the free version, but some organisations (particularly HM Passport Office and the DVLA) are more receptive to a formal-looking original.
The template creates an unenrolled deed poll — the standard type used for the vast majority of UK name changes. Once signed and witnessed it is legally effective and accepted by every major UK organisation.
An enrolled deed poll is different: it is additionally registered with the Senior Courts of England and Wales and published in The London Gazette, becoming public record. Enrolment is optional, currently costs £53.05, and makes the name change and address public in The Gazette. See our enrolled vs unenrolled deed poll guide for the full comparison.
Select the type of deed poll you need.
For anyone aged 16 or over changing their own name.
For changing the name of a child under 16, signed by parent(s) or guardian(s).
Enter your details exactly as they should appear on your deed poll.
This is not written on your deed poll. It is used only to tailor the guidance and offers shown after generation.
The date your deed poll takes legal effect — usually today's date or the date you plan to sign it. This is not your date of birth.
Where should we send your deed poll? We'll email you a copy along with step-by-step signing instructions, so it's safe even if you can't print right now.
Enter the child's details and the details of the parent(s) or guardian(s) with parental responsibility.
This is not written on your deed poll. It is used only to tailor the guidance and offers shown after generation.
The date this deed poll takes legal effect — usually today's date or the date you plan to sign it. Not the child's date of birth.
Where should we send your deed poll? We'll email you a copy along with step-by-step signing instructions, so it's safe even if you can't print right now.
Yes, provided the wording is correct. A deed poll does not need to be produced by a solicitor or bought from anyone to be legally binding under English and Welsh law. What matters is that it uses the established legal format and is signed in front of two adult witnesses aged 18 or over. This generator produces the standard format used across the UK.
A valid deed poll must state both your old and new names in full, declare that you absolutely renounce your former name, declare that you will use only the new name from the date of the deed, and require others to address you by the new name. It must be dated, signed in both your old and new names, and countersigned by two adult witnesses aged 18 or over. The generator handles the wording automatically.
Yes. A home-printed deed poll on plain white A4 is legally valid once signed and witnessed. Use single-sided printing in solid black ink on good quality paper. Some organisations are more receptive to deed polls printed on certificate paper with an embossed seal, which is why a printed version is available as an option.
Yes. The deed poll should be signed in front of two adult witnesses aged 18 or over. Both witnesses sign and add their full names, addresses and occupations. Friends, colleagues or neighbours are sensible choices because some organisations may reject witnesses who are close relatives or live at your address.
No. The two witnesses do not need to be solicitors or other professionals. They should both be adults aged 18 or over. Friends, colleagues or neighbours are sensible choices because some organisations may reject close relatives or people living at your address.
Yes. A child deed poll is drafted differently because it is signed on the child's behalf by those with parental responsibility. Select ‘Child deed poll’ in the generator and it will produce the correct format, including signature blocks for one or two parents or guardians. Full context in our child name change guide.
An unenrolled deed poll is a private signed document (what this generator produces). An enrolled deed poll is additionally registered with the Senior Courts of England and Wales for a current court fee of £53.05, and the name change and address become public record in The Gazette. Both are equally legally binding. Enrolment is rarely needed — our enrolled vs unenrolled guide explains the trade-offs.
The template is drafted under the law of England and Wales. It is widely accepted in Scotland and Northern Ireland in practice, but both jurisdictions have their own legal systems and their own name-change routes: National Records of Scotland for Scottish residents, and the Enrolment Office at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast for Northern Ireland. Check with specific organisations if you are based outside England or Wales.
Yes. A single deed poll can change any combination of forename(s), middle name(s) and surname. Enter each part of your new name in the generator exactly as you want it to appear on official records.
No. A UK deed poll does not require a reason to appear in the document. This generator asks for a reason only so it can tailor the guidance and any relevant pricing shown after generation. Your answer is not written on the deed poll.
UK naming rules are relatively unrestricted, but HM Passport Office and the DVLA will refuse to issue documents in a name that is offensive or vulgar, contains numbers or symbols, includes an unearned title (Sir, Lord, Dr, Reverend), is impossible to pronounce, is unreasonably long, promotes criminal activity or could be used to deceive. Choose a name within those limits and the deed poll will be accepted without difficulty.
Keep the signed original somewhere safe and dry. Organisations usually want to see the original, and some hold onto it for weeks while they update their records. Consider taking a clear photo or scan for your records before you send it anywhere, and store the original in a document folder alongside your birth and marriage certificates.
Just correct the entry and generate a fresh document. The generator does not save anything server-side and does not limit how many times you can create a deed poll. If you spot a mistake after signing, prepare and sign a new one — the old one becomes irrelevant.
Some organisations accept a scanned copy sent by email or uploaded through an app; others require an original signed document by post. HM Passport Office and the DVLA both require the original. Banks, employers, utilities and subscription services are usually happy with a clear scan.
Immediately. Your new name is legally yours from the moment the deed poll is signed and witnessed. Individual records at HM Passport Office, the DVLA, banks and HMRC then update over the following days and weeks as you notify each organisation.
Note: This generator produces unenrolled deed polls under the law of England and Wales. We are independent and not affiliated with HM Government. This is general information and not a substitute for legal advice. If you need an enrolled deed poll, apply through the UK Government website.
Individually prepared on premium certificate paper with an embossed gold seal. £14.95 with free delivery.
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Skip the printer. We'll prepare the document you've just created on premium certificate paper with an embossed gold seal, and post it tracked within days. £14.95 with free delivery — most services charge £20+ plus postage.
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