Change of Surname

Bengibrummie1

Can the local council refuse to change my surname, due to outstanding council tax? Despite them asking for a deed poll and a copy of passport and Driving license. I seem to be getting conflicting information from different people.

Flugelhorn

The local council doesn't change your name, you change it . Does it matter what they call  you so long as the bill is paid? 

tacpot12

As per Flugelhorn's post, you can change your legal name via Deed Poll, but you can't avoid a debt by changing your name.

elmer

If you already have arrears, we will not change your name as changes to the account can result in the warrant being cancelled and then the costs to have the warrant reissued cannot be added to your account twice. Ive only know this happen a handful of times though and we usually write to explain that your name will be changed on your account once the arrears are cleared. 

Murphybear

tacpot12 said:

As per Flugelhorn's post, you can change your legal name via Deed Poll, but you can't avoid a debt by changing your name.

I changed my name by “statutory declaration” to my long term partners name which means I just told everyone I had changed it, no paperwork involved.  This was about 10 years ago, I dont know if this is still possible.  

I did run into a bit of trouble though.  The DVLA wanted proof of my name change with a paper trail before I could get a photo driving licence so I knocked up a Deed Poll document online, it took about 2 minutes. .    

The biggest surprise was the Passport Office.  They told me, in writing, that they would accept a Deed Poll in my new name even though you don’t need to get one through a Solicitor or other route and you can change your name to anything you like.  I haven’t tried it yet