Change of name by Deed Poll and Pension

Helen000

Hi everyone.
firstly I am new to site, so I hope I am posting in the right place.
I am a transgendered individual and recently changed my name by deed poll which I did online myself. I am currently in the process of notifying all the relevant organizations and agencies....long process. So far most organizations have accepted the document and changed the appropriate information on file, including HMRC, DWP, CREDIT CARDS, UTILITIES BUILDING SOCIETY etc, My bank has referred it to head office.

My mobile provider made it unnecessarily difficult but did accept it in the end after a bit of ping pong emailing.

Anyway now my pension provider has said they can only accept the deed poll if it has been enrolled through the high court. I don't want the expense (£36.00) or the inconvience of having to file new documents with witnesses that adhere to the specified criteria eg: home owner and known for 10yrs min. I have moved a lot.

My question: Is the pension company within their rights to only accept an enrolled deed poll.. it has no greater legal bearing than my DIY online version (except for amending birth certificate I believe) which has been accepted everywhere else. Any experience in this field, feedback and/or advice really appreciated
thanks all

TonyMMM

Deed polls never amend an original birth registration.

Annoying as it is, there are a number of organisations who are very reluctant to accept any deed poll unless it has been solicitor prepared and enrolled.

As your pension is a valuable asset it is perhaps understandable that they insist on a high level of process before changing the name on it - I would pay the fee and get it done.

Helen000

thank you for reply and yes you are right about birth certificate, need a GRC for that, my oops! I would have thought if HMRC and DWP are happy it shouldn't be a necessity to have it enrolled

bouicca21

Enrolling the deed at the high court provides certain safeguards. It becomes a permanent record that can be accessed at any time in the future so that it doesn't matter if you lose your deed. Hundreds of people put their deeds away and then can't find them when they are needed maybe 20 odd years later. If it is enrolled you can get a certified copy, good for all purposes. If it isn't you may have to do a second deed poll.

TonyMMM

Even a GRC doesn't change the original birth registration - it creates a new entry in the Gender Recognition Register from which a new certificate can then be produced. The original birth register entry remains, but the two don't refer to each other.

There is no fixed law on who must accept various forms of name change evidence - organisations are largely free to make their own rules.

LHW99

If it isn't you may have to do a second deed poll.

And costs will undoubtedly have risen by then!

Sarastro

It may be worth trying to complain and throw the Equality Act at them, but unlikely they will change their process. Securing your pension is more important than the short-term pain to get the document they want. I don't think it's a fight worth having.

Silvertabby

I'm with your pension scheme in this case - they are acting in your best interests. After all, you'd be well peeved if they paid out your pension pot to a scam artist!