Central Office of the High Court - Deed Poll

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A deed poll is a deed which is completed by one party only. It is often used to declare an intention to change a surname.

Changing your name by deed poll

Birth certificates are accepted as proof of personal identity for a wide range of administrative and legal procedures.

Consequently people who change their surnames by adopting a new surname which has no connection with their former one, may experience some difficulty when they produce a birth certificate in which their surname differs from the one in usage.

It is advisable therefore, at the time at which the change is made, to prepare a formal deed poll or affidavit indicating that you have ceased to use the former surname and that henceforth wish to be known by the assumed name.

Enrolment of a deed poll

By enroling a deed poll a record of the change is preserved for future identification. This can be attached to your birth certificate and is acceptable for most administrative procedures and provides an easy and inexpensive solution for most of the difficulties which may be encountered on changing a surname.

Procedure

You can get a solicitor to do the deed poll for you or you can do it yourself, in which case the only cost would be stamp duty.

If you are doing it yourself, you will have to call in person* to collect the necessary documents from the Judgments Section of the Central Office of the High Court.

You must bring your original birth certificate, and marriage certificate if applicable, together with photo I.D. such as your driving licence or passport.

You will have to bring the affidavit to a Commissioner for Oaths or a practising solicitor. There may be a small charge. You must then bring these documents back in person to the Judgments Section in the Central Office of the High Court where you will have to pay stamp duty.

Details of the stamp duty applicable are available in the Supreme Court and High Court Fees Order under Part L Enrolment, paragraph 47.

Documents cannot be posted and you must call back in person with the completed documents to the the Central Office of the High Court.