Accepted by the UK Government
You can change your name in the UK for any reason and don't need to give one. A deed poll is all it takes. Create yours for free — a printed version is optional.
There is no legal requirement to give a reason for changing your name in the UK. A deed poll simply records that you are known by a new name and intend to be called by it from that day forward. No court, solicitor or official approval is required.
You can change your first name, middle names, surname, or all of them at once. You can add names, drop names, spell them differently or take an entirely different name. A single deed poll covers whatever combination you decide.
UK naming rules are fairly relaxed but a name will be refused if it is offensive or vulgar, contains numbers or symbols, includes a title you are not entitled to (Lord, Sir, Dr, Reverend, and so on), is impossible to pronounce, is unreasonably long, promotes criminal activity or could be used to deceive.
HM Passport Office and the DVLA are the practical enforcers of these rules — they will refuse to issue documents in a name they consider unacceptable.
There is no waiting period or cooling-off period, and no limit on the number of times you can change your name. However, if you are on the sex offenders' register or subject to certain reporting requirements, you must inform the police within three days of any name change. Bankrupts must inform the Official Receiver.
Your new name is legally yours from the moment the deed poll is signed and witnessed. From that point you can use it on any document that will accept your deed poll as evidence — passport, driving licence, banks, HMRC, employer, utilities and so on.
Yes. There is no legal requirement to give a reason. A deed poll is enough to change your name for any personal reason and takes effect immediately once signed and witnessed.
No. A deed poll does not ask why you are changing your name. You choose the new name and sign the document.
A deed poll changes any part of your name — first, middle or surname — in a single document. The change takes effect immediately once the deed poll is signed and witnessed.
Almost. UK rules refuse names that are offensive, contain numbers or symbols, include titles you're not entitled to (Lord, Sir, Dr and so on), are impossible to pronounce, are unreasonably long, promote criminal activity or could be used to deceive. Anything within those limits is normally accepted.
Names containing numerals (John1), symbols (Jane*), profanity, or unearned titles (Sir, Lord, Dr) will be refused by HM Passport Office and the DVLA. Names of famous individuals may be allowed but can prompt further checks if HM Passport Office suspects deception. There is no formal 'banned list' — decisions are made case by case.
Yes. A single deed poll can change your first name, middle names and surname in one document. There is no limit on how many parts of your name can change at once.
Yes. There is no legal limit on how many times you can change your name by deed poll. Each change requires a new deed poll and a fresh round of notifying organisations.
The deed poll itself can be created for free using an online generator. A printed and posted version typically costs around £15 with free delivery. Separate fees apply for updating other documents — HM Passport Office charges £94.50 for a standard online adult passport application, and the DVLA is free for a name change.
Legally you need to inform HMRC, HM Passport Office (when applying for a new passport), the DVLA (when updating your licence) and any organisation that holds your legal name. There is no legal duty to notify family, friends or your employer, though employers usually need to know for payroll purposes.
Your new name is legally yours from the moment the deed poll is signed and witnessed. It appears on each organisation's records once you send them the deed poll — turnaround varies from a few working days for banks to around three weeks for HM Passport Office.
Yes. Simply prepare a new deed poll stating you are reverting. There is no limit on how often you can change or revert.
No. A deed poll signed by you in front of an independent adult witness (not a family member or someone at your address) is enough on its own. No solicitor and no court appearance is required in England and Wales.
Only if you are on the sex offenders' register, subject to a notification order, on bail or otherwise required to report changes. Bankrupts must inform the Official Receiver. Everyone else has no duty to notify the police.
Yes, with the consent of everyone who holds parental responsibility. The rules and process are covered in our guide to changing a child's name.
Create a free, legally valid deed poll in minutes. Print, sign in front of a witness and you're done.
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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