Confused by Deed Poll... Where do I apply??

Kavanne

I want to change my name by deed poll because I want to have a double barrelled surname with my new hubby but I want his name first (Just flows better)

I've googled 'deed poll' and LOADS of websites come up and there's loads of different fees. None of them look very official and I am not sure who to trust. Is there an official govt. website that I can apply on? Or a form at the post office?

Help!

Thanks

Person_one

You don't actually need a deed poll, just start going by that name if you want. You can even change your bank accounts, passport etc. without a deed poll but some may want to see a marriage certificate.

Kavanne

I need a deed poll because I am not having my surname first in the double barrel. For example, I'm Ann Smith and I've married John Jones. I would have to be Ann Smith-Jones. If I wanted to be Ann Jones-Smith, I need the deed poll.

Can anyone help, please?

Person_one

You stil don't need a deed poll, trust me!

You're legally allowed to call yourself anything you want whether that's Ann Jones-Smith or Felicity Super-Potatoes, as long as you aren't doing it for the purposes of fraud or deception its perfectly legal. A deed poll is just a record of when you started using the new name.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_family/family/change_of_name.htm

Kavanne

I have been into the bank and they have said they can't change my name without proof of this. they said they will accept a deed poll. Also to change my passport/driving license I believe this is an accepted form of documentation.

From that site:
Evidence of change of name

You do not need legal proof that you have changed your name, provided that you can be identified by your new chosen name. However, there are some circumstances, for example, applying for a passport, when additional evidence of the change of name is required. The evidence required varies depending on the purpose for which it is needed and can include:-

• a letter from a responsible person
• a public announcement
• a statutory declaration
• a deed poll.

As it says, the letter isn't enough for passport. Public announcement? No idea how to go about that.

Again, it seems the most popular way and perhaps the simplest (once I confirm a legitimate place to do it!) would be a deed poll. I am unsure what a statutory declaration would entail either.

Tigsteroonie

A statutory declaration is a typed document that you sign and which is witnessed by a solicitor or a magistrates court clerk. You can type it up yourself (according to this page I just googled!)

A public announcement I would presume to be an advertisement in a local newspaper that says "please note person A-B now wishes to be known under the name person B-A".

McKneff

Why.................................................................................


Is it just for effect............................
or is it anything to do with..............

There was a cowboy series on the telly called Alias Smith and Jones
#
And a comedy programme calles Alas Smith & Jones.

Is it anything to do with that.

I

Kavanne

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

A statutory declaration is a typed document that you sign and which is witnessed by a solicitor or a magistrates court clerk. You can type it up yourself (according to this page I just googled!)

I am sure a solicitor would charge me through the nose for this... some of the deed poll websites are advertising it for under a tenner. Which, if legit, would be ideal. Can anyone clear this up for me?

Tigsteroonie

Kavanne wrote: »

I am sure a solicitor would charge me through the nose for this... some of the deed poll websites are advertising it for under a tenner. Which, if legit, would be ideal. Can anyone clear this up for me?

Can't remember if it's that page or not, but somewhere on that site it says that three different solicitors charged three different prices from £5 to £30 (ie price isn't fixed), so that's worth checking out. And magistrates courts generally charge £10.

But it sounds like you definitely want to go down the route of a deed poll. Sorry, no experience, so I don't know if the cheap sites are just as reliable and genuine as the dearer sites.

Squiggly_Diddly

I changed my surname by deed poll for free about 4 years ago (so very moneysaving!!). Found the wording on the internet, inserted the old/new names in the relevant gaps, printed it out on some posh cream paper I bought from WHSmith, got 2 friends to witness it & it was done!! I actually had about 4 originals, to allow for a couple being sent off at the same time, or any getting lost in the post, etc.

The first thing I did was get my passport changed, then my driving licence (I figured if I was going to have any problems it would have been with them - which I didn't), then worked my way through everyone else...

Kavanne

Thanks squiggly... I found some free ones online now I added the word 'FREE' to my google, lol!! Looks like I might need to spend a few pennys on posh paper though lol

Did you put a stamp or a seal or anything official looking on it??