Has anyone here changed their name by deed poll?

michelle67

i changedd my name by deed poll and it was simple and easy to do I paid about £30 for mind and was simple to let everybody no my new name banks gas and electric etc tho i had to show prove i changeed my name

~Chameleon~

Perhaps I should set up a deed poll service of my own if people are so willing to throw away their hard-earned cash. £35 for about 10-15mins work and I'll be raking it in

Jammi

maryroberts wrote: »

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

I did a change of name last year by statutory declaration using one of the many free templates available online. Most solicitors will charge the standard fee for witnessing a document, which at the time was £5. The solicitor I used remarked that the document was very well drawn up. My new passport is now proof of my new name and the statutory declaration is now pretty much redundant.

oliviasmummy

I changed mine when I was 18 thorugh a solicitor, my mum paid for it and it was £60 my sister did hers 2 years later online and paid £20 its like anything else noone charges the same.

NameChangeExpert

Hey I'm new to this forum. I've signed up as I often see posts on here relating to name change, and I feel some of the threads would benefit from legal advice.

Law of England & Wales on name change - start using a new name, you do not need to anything else (legally). Your legal name is the one which you are commonly known by.

Change of name deed (deed poll), or Statutory Declaration are two types of written instrument that constitute a type of contract. You won't be able to get your Passport, Driving Licence, Bank accounts etc changed over to your new name (even though you are using it legally as above), unless you can produce either of these contracts.

By signing them you expressly agree to use your new name at all times. if anything, a stat dec has more 'weight' because it is a sworn statement, and making a false one is actually a criminal offence, but in practice both work the same for name change.

On that note, a simple contract under hand, instead of a deed or stat dec, would not be applicable because legally a contract under hand is only valid between two people, 'consideration' must pass.

So can anyone draw up a stat dec, deed or contract? Yes, because the legal services act 2007 doesn't restrict the writing of legal documents to particular legal professionals, unlike for instance, the right of audience before a court.

The only problem you may face with a deed you have drawn up yourself is that it probably won't look very 'fancy'. legally this isn't a problem (clear legislation describes what is/isn't a legally valid deed), but uninformed bank staff may ask questions.

Complain if they do, if they don't accept your new name (and you're using it on everything else Passport, Driving Licence etc) then they are potentially in breach of the data protection act by processing data, your name, which they know to be incorrect.

N.B. the Passport and DVLA are very up on the legislation relating deeds and stat decs, so you will never have a 'home made' deed rejected by either organisation unless is doesn't meet those legislative requirements. The templates quoted by other members seem fine.

I would personally disagree that online services are ripping anyone off, Solicitors charge anywhere between £50-£300 for a deed, OK you can do it yourself for free, but I can also make my own sandwiches, it doesn't mean my local deli is ripping me off if I choose I don't want to make my own, and want the peace of mind it's all been done well.

Time Saving + Peace of Mind = A great deal of value to a lot people.

Anyway, hope this post is informative, I apologise if there are any grammatical errors but I am slightly in a rush to begin the working day

Any questions you have I would love to answer.

maryroberts

Thank you, NameChangeExpert, for your very informative reply. I'm grateful for all other replies too, pointing out that it is perfectly possible to draw up a document yourself.

However, I will probably go ahead with one of the online companies. I don't think I would be getting ripped off, it will save me time and yes it is peace of mind. Also I would like a couple of certified copies, which are included in the price.

As I'm moving house in a couple of months I will probably wait until then so that I deal with change of name and address at the same time.

BEAR

I used to type thes ein another life..one client used to change his surname very time he had a new partner ( years before civial partnerships) think he had done about 5 or 6
another changed to Jack 101% proof Daniels...I seem to remember the Solicitor involved had to check that one out LOL

sotter

how about £6.95? can anyone beat that?

go to simpleonlineshop.co.uk/pid-73-Change-of-Name-Deed-Poll.htm[/

cheeswright wrote: »

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....

Gazing_On_Sunsets

Just to add in my experience. I use a free template online to write up a statutory declaration, printed it on nice paper, got two witnesses (not a solicitor). So, cost nothing. Then my passport was expired anyway so I sent for a new passport with new name, (that cost the renewal fee), new driving license, and went into my bank with my stat dec. Once those 3 things were done everything else fell into place easily.

Tupperware_Queen

I had mine done by an online company with certified copies for twenty quid. I feel happier with an 'official' document, even tho I know you could do it yourself.