Is a free deed poll legal, and will it be accepted?
Yes, a deed poll you make yourself is legal, and most organisations accept one without fuss. Here’s what the main ones look for, and the few times you might need something more.
Last reviewed 28 October 2026
Why a free one is just as valid
In England and Wales, changing your name is as simple as starting to use a new one. A deed poll is your evidence that you’ve done it deliberately and for good. What makes it valid is what it says and how it’s signed, not who printed it or what it cost.
That’s why GOV.UK explains how to write your own, and why the Passport Office treats one you’ve made yourself the same as any other. For it to be accepted, a deed poll should:
- say clearly that you’re giving up your old name and using the new one for all purposes
- be dated
- be signed by hand in both your old and new names
- be signed in front of witnesses, who add their own names and addresses
A deed poll from this site covers the wording. The signing is down to you, and the signing guide takes you through it.
The Passport Office
HM Passport Office accepts unenrolled deed polls. It checks that yours is dated, signed in both names with handwritten signatures, and witnessed by at least one person, and it needs the signed original rather than a copy.
It will also ask for one document showing you already use the new name, issued in the last 12 months. A bank statement, a payslip or letter from your employer, a letter from a government department or a utility bill would all do. That’s why it pays to tell your bank and employer before you apply.
Until the new passport arrives, book any travel in the name on your current passport.
DVLA and your driving licence
Changing the name on your driving licence is free. Fill in a D1 form, which most Post Offices have, and post it to DVLA with your licence and your original deed poll. Don’t send photocopies. You can keep driving while you wait for the new licence.
Banks, employers and everyone else
Most banks and building societies will update your name when you show them the original deed poll, in a branch or by post, and some let you upload it in their app. Your employer will usually just need to see it once so your payslips match your other records.
GOV.UK does point out that a few organisations, such as some banks, mobile phone companies or energy suppliers, may only accept an enrolled deed poll. It’s rare, but if you’re worried about a particular one, ask them before you start.
When enrolling is worth it
Enrolling means registering your deed poll with the High Court. Your change of name, and your address, are then published in The Gazette as a public record. It costs a fee and can take several months, so it’s only worth doing if you want that public record or an organisation insists on it. GOV.UK explains how to enrol a deed poll.
Outside England and Wales
The wording here follows the guidance for England and Wales. If you were born in Scotland, different rules apply. If you live permanently outside the UK, you can’t change your name by deed poll, so check the rules where you live instead.
If it’s turned down
Refusals are uncommon and usually come down to something small and fixable. Here’s what to do.