Advice on changing my first name...

Tunstallstoven

Thanks ceb1995.

Slinky - I can certainly see the sense in that, although in my case I don't think it is so relevant as I only to update with the NHS (who are happy to do so with my passport/driving license). With everyone else, I am already the name that I am changing too.

Thanks for the help

Mojisola

Mojisola wrote: »

Otherwise -
Make your own deed poll

If you don’t want to register your deed poll, you can make your own instead, using the following wording:

“I [old name] of [your address] have given up my name [old name] and have adopted for all purposes the name [new name].

Signed as a deed on [date] as [old name] and [new name] in the presence of [witness 1 name] of [witness 1 address], and [witness 2 name] of [witness 2 address].

[your new signature], [your old signature]

[witness 1 signature], [witness 2 signature]”
https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/make-an-adult-deed-poll

Slinky wrote: »

I did mine with a Deed poll company, there are several online.

The advantage this had was that I was able to send it back to them, get several certified copies (£2 each IIRC) and used the certified copies to send to banks, officialdom etc. Saved the worry of the original going missing or getting battered about/stapled as several of the copies did.

You don't actually need certified copies.

You could use the government template given above and get everyone to sign several copies.

NBLondon

What complications are you actually foreseeing? Your NHS records have a patient number - that's all they need (and DoB as a double-check). You've already said your surgery is OK. If you have a passport or photocard licence as Max - that's going to be OK for almost any other purpose - it's not likely to be checked against your birth certificate unless you are applying to MI5.

(The only Max I know is Massimiliano...)

Tunstallstoven

I guess the biggie is wills and probate. I don't know if it might have a bearing on marriage too? Or perhaps even things I have not considered?

My mum told me not so long ago that when one of her sisters died, she had a nightmare of a time sorting out the probate on account of this same issue (official name was Italian, but for years - and on many documents - she was known by the English equivalent).

Do you think I'm worrying more than I need to over it?

Piscean1991

I don't know much about this but I can offer some personal experience. I had my surname changed by deed poll as a child. (Obviously, that probably made it easier in terms of me not having much of a paper trail in life at that stage).

My birth certificate is, and will always be, in my previous name but it has my change of name deed attached to it. All my other documents (driving licence, etc.) are in my current name. I think, as long as you are thorough in ensuring you change over your accounts and other ID, a change of name should not affect too many things.

I also think that the fact I have my change of name deed attached to my birth certificate solves a lot of problems before they even arise because it explains my legal change of name. I don't know if it's because I've always been used to it but I've never found it to be that much of a complication.