Changed name by deed poll... Passport office rejected it

sav91

After researching on this site about deed polls and realising you can do them for free I made my own deed poll with all the valid declarations and two witness signatures. It's been accepted by my bank, university, and student finance etc.

However, I've applied for a passport renewal with the same deed poll (original, not photocopy) and they've sent it back saying it's not 'official' even though it has the name change declaration and two witness signatures.

I'm not sure what I should do at this point - I don't want to pay a solicitor or dodgy online service for something that I can legally do for free.

Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with the passport office and what I could do to prove to them that a self-made deed poll is still a valid declaration?

Thanks

Caz3121

Some information here
https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll

as it says "You don’t have to follow a legal process to start using a new name. But you might need a ‘deed poll’ to apply for or to change official documents like your passport or driving licence."

PeteDoff

You didn't change your name to Alex Salmond did you - that could explain it!

agrinnall

In Caz's link under Make your own deed poll it warns that

"Some record-holders only accept a new name that’s been ‘enrolled’ using the official forms."

It sounds like the passport office is one, which makes sense because otherwise anyone could apply for passports in as many different names as they wanted to simply by sending in a piece of paper. Looks like you'll need to pay the £102 for an official change.

lea2012

I applied for my passport in April using a DIY change of name deed and it was accepted. I've used it for many things and it was accepted each time. The only time it wasn't was when I sent it to the British Consulate earlier this year to ask them to 'apostille stamp' it for my wedding in Corfu. They wouldn't accept it unless it was signed and stamped by a solicitor, this cost me £10 and took about 5 mins.

Call around a few solicitors and ask them if they can sign it for you. If they say yes they must follow the below format:

"If you have already signed your Deed Poll and had it witnessed by someone other than a solicitor or notary public, you need to take your Deed Poll to a UK registered solicitor or notary public for authenticating. The solicitor or notary public must write (anywhere) on your Deed Poll document "I have no reason to doubt the authenticity of this document." It is important that the solicitor or notary public signs and prints his or her full name under this statement because the FCO will check the solicitor or notary public is registered in the UK." http://www.deedpoll.org.uk/OtherFAQs.html

My solicitor was also required to put their official stamp on the document too. I didn't do this for my passport as it was accepted without it but it might work?

InsideInsurance

https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/name-changes-that-dont-match-official-documents

The above gives the ways the IPS will accept a change of name for reasons outside of marriage/ divorce etc

sav91

Argh!

So they've sent back my change of name deed saying that it looks like an application for a name change (what does that even mean?). I called them up to assure them that the deed I sent was valid as it has all the correct declarations, new and old signatures, and two witness signatures by people who are not related to me.

The lady on the other end said that a 'manager' will be looking at my change of name deed and will decide on whether or not they'll accept it by tomorrow.

I've seen this: (www).(gov).(uk)/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/118564/Names-changes-of-name.pdf (had to put it in brackets as I can't post links yet) which pretty much confirms that the IPS should accept unenrolled deed polls, and 'deed polls from the internet' as acceptable proof of a change of name.

I'm just worried that this 'manager' will decide that she doesn't accept my document, but isn't that effectively contravening a British adult's right to change their name for free?

peachyprice

sav91 wrote: »

I've seen this: (www).(gov).(uk)/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/118564/Names-changes-of-name.pdf (had to put it in brackets as I can't post links yet) which pretty much confirms that the IPS should accept unenrolled deed polls, and 'deed polls from the internet' as acceptable proof of a change of name.

I'm just worried that this 'manager' will decide that she doesn't accept my document, but isn't that effectively contravening a British adult's right to change their name for free?

It's not compulsory to enrol a change of name deed poll, so I can't see how they can make you. I think you just got unlucky with the person who first opened your application, hundreds of people every year get a passport with an unenrolled deed poll.

mgdavid

sav91 wrote: »

...... isn't that effectively contravening a British adult's right to change their name for free?

No, as applying for a passport is not compulsory. If you want to travel abroad you have to play by their rules. (note I'm not saying rules aren't there to be bent, or not open to interpretation!).

sav91

This is getting so much more frustrating.

So the whole situation has now been escalated to a 'manager' who called me and said that a deed poll needs to be signed by a solicitor to be 'official' which completely goes against the premise of a deed poll. They're basically advising me to pay for a document that I can legally draft myself.

I advised them that a deed poll stamped by a solicitor is no more valid than a self-made unenrolled deed poll as the premise of a deed poll. Now they're saying they're going to escalate it to an even more senior 'manager' who will contact me tomorrow.

I've said to them that I'm happy to provide official information from gov.uk that clearly states that an unenrolled deed poll from the internet constitutes valid proof of a change of name, but they're just not interested. They keep telling me my deed poll is 'unofficial' and that I need to get an 'official' one from a solicitor (which is total tosh).

This is getting seriously painful now - the level of incompetence at the passport office is seriously shocking.

mgdavid

see post #9
you seem to be ignoring (or not comprehending) the difference between changing your name by deed poll and remaining living in the UK, and wanting to apply for a UK passport to travel abroad. The former only requires a deed poll which can be DIY. The latter want the deed poll to be confirmed / authenticated / endorsed (call it whatever you like) by a solicitor,