The main issue I’ve experienced with changing my name has been people who have rejected my deed poll based on an assumption that it needs to be notarised or come from an official government body like “the deed poll office” (no such government department, it’s a private company). We end up in a back and forth dance with me having to show them the actual government guidance for deed polls and how they all work.
They’re free unless you need an enrolled one.
I’m not joking, you can write a deed poll on a napkin and as long as it has the correct wording and is signed and witnessed by two people who know you it is a legal document.
An enrolled deed poll is the exact same except you’ve asked for it to be published in the London Gazette, and only a few specific places require that (and they’ll ask for it).
I’ve changed the name on my passport with my free unenrolled deed poll, no issues.
@renbymon Yeah, exactly! My understanding is that in UK law, your name is what you say it is (as long as you're not trying to defraud), and a deed poll is basically a one-party contract and is just you making a promise to everyone that "this is now my name and I'm serious about it", so it's basically just a more formal way of telling people what your name is. In theory you shouldn't even need the deed poll, but eh.
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The reason I bring this up is I’ve just had to do this again. Changed my name on an online portal, support team emails me asking for the official deed poll and I email them back with the same document and clarify the govs own directions and I’ve now received an email saying that it’s been accepted and my name has been updated.
Know your rights!