When changing my name by Deed Poll are there any names that I must not use? 

You must not use any names that are offensive or rude. You may also not use any names that would lead people to believe that you have gained a title such as Lord, Lady, Sir etc.   

I am a recently divorced woman who wishes to revert to my maiden name. I would however like to continue to use my married name for work purposes - Can I do this? 

After changing your name by Deed Poll you are agreeing to completely revoke the use of your former name and use only your new name in every instance thereafter. However, some employers will give you permission to continue to use your former name if you have used it to build up a good business reputation. 

I am currently living abroad and would like to change my name by Deed Poll. Can I still use your service? 

Yes you can. 

As long as you are a British citizen you may still use our service to change your name even if you are living abroad at present.

I live in the United Kingdom but I am not a British citizen. Can I still use your service to change my name by Deed Poll?  

Yes you can. As long as you are currently residing in the UK you do not need to be a British citizen to change your name by Deed Poll. 

Are your Deed Polls accepted by the DVLA and the Passport office? 

Yes they are.  For more information about the Passport Office go to www.passportoffice.gov.uk

Who do I need to witness me sign my Deed Poll? The witness can be anyone you choose as long as they are not related to you in any way and are over the age of 18.  Who should I inform of my name change and how soon should I do this?  

A fully comprehensive list of everyone that you will need to inform of your name change will be included in your Deed Poll pack. There is no official time frame in which you should notify people of your name change, however you should start to do this as soon as you receive your Deed Poll certificate. 

Can I change my name on my Birth certificate? 

No. You may not change your name on Birth certificates, Marriage certificates or Decree Absolutes. Your Deed Poll document should be kept with your birth certificate to prove your name change.

Can I obtain copies of my Deed Poll? 

Yes you can. Alpha Deed provides a certified copy service through which you may purchase extra copies of your Deed Poll. An application form is provided in your Deed Poll pack. If you are applying for a certified copy we will require you to send back your completed application form, the required fee and your signed Deed Poll.  

After signing my Deed Poll do I have to send it back to Alpha Deed? 

No, once you have signed your Deed Poll you can start to use it to change your documents officially. Alpha Deed only require you to send back your signed Deed Poll if you require the certified copy service.  

I wish to change my name to a double-barrelled surname after I am married. Do I have to use a Deed Poll to do this? 

Yes you will have to use a Deed Poll to change your name to a double- barrelled surname after your forthcoming marriage. If your husband also wishes to change to a double-barrelled surname, he will also need to use a Deed Poll. Please apply using the Adult Deed Poll application form.

Can I use your Deed Poll service even though I live in Scotland? 

Yes you can apply for a Deed Poll in exactly the same way as you would if you lived in the UK.

Changing Children's Names

I am separated from my husband and do not know his current whereabouts. Can I still change my son's name without the consent of my husband?

If you can prove that you have made every possible attempt to locate your husbands whereabouts but to no avail, then you can go ahead and change your son's name without the consent of your husband.

I am divorced from the father of my child. My child is 10 years old and we both wish to change our name. Would we require the consent of my ex-husband? 

Yes, if you were married to the father of your child at the time of your child's birth or have married him at any time subsequent to the birth, your ex-husbands consent would be required. Even though you are now divorced your husband still has joint parental responsibility.

I wish to change my child's name. I have never been married to the father. Do I have to obtain his permission?

No, as you were not married to your child's father at the time of your child's birth and have not married him since, you have sole parental responsibility. Written consent is therefore only required from the mother. 

I would like to change my surname and that of my three children. I would like to know if I could use the family pack to do this? 

Yes, the family pack is for a single adult changing the surname of a family with at least one child under the age of 18.  The parent can also change their forenames if required. If the child wishes to change their forenames too, a separate child Deed Poll would have to be executed.

Do I have to send Alpha Deed my letters of consent or my child's birth certificate? 

Alpha Deed does not need the consent letters, or the child's birth certificate to be submitted along with the application form. It is the main applicant's responsibility to have the necessary letters of consent required in order to make the Deed Poll legally binding. Without these letters you risk invalidating your Deed Poll. When using your child's Deed Poll certificate to amend records with various companies and organisations it is the main applicant's responsibility to make sure the relevant consent letters are securely attached to it.

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