Has anyone here changed their name by deed poll?

maryroberts

Just looking for some advice please.

I'd like to change my surname to my Mother's maiden name. I am divorced and do not wish to share my name with the ex's future wife. Neither do I want to revert to my own maiden name as I never really liked it!

I have read online that it is a simple procedure. However, I've just looked on 2 official looking websites. One is charging 33 pounds plus extras, and another is charging 13 pounds something plus extras.

Just wondering how there can be such a variation in price? Would I be better off seeing a solicitor instead, which will be much more expensive?

Has anyone used either of these companies:-

deedpoll dot org dot uk
thelegaldeedpollservice dot org dot uk

Many thanks for any advice

Tropez

Perhaps you could look up making a Statutory Declaration instead? It is usually less expensive.

Legally, you can call yourself whatever you like providing you're not doing so for fraudulent reasons. A Deed Poll is basically just a contract with yourself that states you will only use X name from now on. A Statutory Declaration is a declaration signed by yourself (and usually some witnesses) stating that from now on you will be known as X.

The Citizens Advice Bureau have advisors that can talk you through your options.

~Chameleon~

You don't need to pay anyone to do it, they are all rip off merchants. You can draw up a document yourself and have it signed and witnessed by someone who has known you for some time, similar to the type of person who would sign a passport application. You then need to inform all the relevant people of your new name and in some cases show them a copy of the deed.

cheeswright

you can write a deedpoll yourself
you dont need to pay anyone anything

there are some free templates online

basic outline
you state that you ........................full name
of.............................full address
as a british citizen
will no longer - from......................this date
use.........................(full name) this name
and will instead only use..........................................new name

this is witnessed by.........................................full name of witness
of .......................................................address of witness
on..............................................(same date as above)
signed by witness................................................

signed by me formerly known as
printed name.........................................(old name)

signed...................................................(old name)

frome henceforth to be known as(printed name)..............................(new name)
signed..........................................................................new name



hope that helps
...its best to do two - and then copy them a couple of times......as you will need to send copies out to lots of people

passport is the first one to get changed, and then everything else is easy...
wierdly paypal are the most a***sy ..and very ill informed, refused to accept virtually anything.......
also
it dosnt even have to be this format - providing it contains all that basic information you can write it in verse if you want to !!!!!
and shove in a few bits of legalese like "abdure" - and "henceforward" -

but if you do it - you cant change your mind.....
you would have to write another deed poll to change your name back... and then retain proof of both......

cheeswright

oops that took so long to write you beat me to it !

Oliver14

Just a warning as much as you can draw up a document yourself. When it comes to changing your name with organisations such as banks and your driving licence they may not except them.

It's not expensive to do it via uk deed poll service for the sake of £35 it could save you a lot of hassle

~Chameleon~

Oliver14 wrote: »

Just a warning as much as you can draw up a document yourself. When it comes to changing your name with organisations such as banks and your driving licence they may not except them.

It's not expensive to do it via uk deed poll service for the sake of £35 it could save you a lot of hassle

Never had a problem, it is a legal document after all. You're only paying somebody else to do exactly the same as you can do yourself.

I drew up documents for two family members and these have been accepted by passport office, banks, DVLA etc without any question whatsoever.

maryroberts

Thanks for the replies so far. I have no problem with paying 35 pounds or whatever, just wondering whether one company is better or more efficient than another.

I don't really want to "do it myself" as I'm worried about some organisations not accepting my own signed piece of paper. These online companies provide certified copies which is what's needed to send off to banks etc.

It seems that a solicitor isn't necessary then, an unnecessary expense?

~Chameleon~

maryroberts wrote: »

Thanks for the replies so far. I have no problem with paying 35 pounds or whatever, just wondering whether one company is better or more efficient than another.

I don't really want to "do it myself" as I'm worried about some organisations not accepting my own signed piece of paper. These online companies provide certified copies which is what's needed to send off to banks etc.

It seems that a solicitor isn't necessary then, an unnecessary expense?

But the "certified copies" are no different whatsoever to what you can produce yourself. If you want to pay someone else to do it that's up to you but you did ask on a money saving website

Slinky

I used the UK Deed Poll service and had no trouble with anybody accepting certified copies of the document.

cheeswright

you dont need to worry about organizations not accepting your own document....they do / will....they have to...its perfectly legal
I wrote my own.....and had , as I said no problems, except with paypal.....
who then happily accepted one of the other proofs of identity I had obtained with my own deed poll......duh!
save the £35 and have yourself a bottle of champagne....