InstantDeedPoll

Statutory Declaration of Name Change (Alternative to Deed Poll)

Quick answer

A statutory declaration of name change is a sworn-form statement — declared true before a solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths, notary or JP under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 — proving you have stopped using your old name and adopted a new one. It is the standard name-change instrument in Scotland and costs £9.99 from us, plus the £5 statutory witnessing fee.

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  • Personalised statutory declaration PDF with the exact 1835 Act wording and blank jurat
  • Witnessing instruction card: who can witness, the £5 + £2 statutory fee, ID to bring
  • Unlimited free re-downloads for 12 months
  • Money-back acceptance guarantee
Generate your declaration — £9.99

Acceptance guarantee: if HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC or any UK bank refuses to accept your document solely because of its wording, tell us within 60 days and we will refund you in full.

WARNING: it is a criminal offence under section 5 of the Perjury Act 1911, punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, knowingly to make a false statutory declaration. Do not sign this document until you are in front of your witness.

A client signing a statutory declaration across the desk from a solicitor in a high-street office

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Answer a few plain-English questions about your declaration. No legal knowledge needed — and you can preview your document free before you pay.

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Your declaration is built from wording our paralegal has checked against the prescribed form of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 — right first time, no drafting errors.

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Sign in front of an authorised witness

Do not pre-sign. Sign in front of a solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths, notary or JP, who watches you sign then signs, dates and stamps it. The statutory witness fee is fixed by law at £5.

Accepted or your money back

If HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC or any UK bank refuses your document solely because of its wording, we refund you in full within 60 days.

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Genuine legal wording

The government model wording and 1835-Act prescribed form, reproduced character-for-character and checked by our legal team.

InstantDeedPoll.co.uk is an independent document service and is not affiliated with HM Government.

Read our acceptance guarantee

Acceptance guarantee: if HM Passport Office, the DVLA, HMRC or any UK bank refuses to accept your document solely because of its wording, tell us within 60 days and we will refund you in full.

One-time payment. Yours forever. No subscription, ever.

What does the declaration say?

Your declaration states that you were formerly known as your current name, that on or about a given date you ceased using it and adopted your new name for all purposes, and that you have used the new name exclusively since. The wording follows the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 exactly. A solicitor may quote £25–£55 to draft a statutory declaration. Our tailored PDF is £9.99, and the statutory witnessing fee is fixed by law at £5.

How do I sign it correctly?

Do not sign until you are in front of your witness. The witness checks your photo ID and proof of address, watches you sign, then completes the jurat with their signature, date and stamp. Physical presence is the norm — video witnessing only works if the receiving body agrees. See who can witness a statutory declaration.

Is a deed poll simpler?

Usually, yes — a deed poll for £14.99 needs only two independent adult witnesses and no solicitor visit. But in Scotland the statutory declaration is the standard route, and if an organisation has asked for a statutory declaration by name, this is the document to provide. Read the full statutory declaration guide.

What a statutory declaration really costs
RouteTypical costWhat you get
Solicitor drafts it£25–£55Drafting fee, plus the £5 statutory witnessing fee on top
Notary public£70–£125+Notarial rates, plus appointment lead time
InstantDeedPoll.co.ukBest value£9.99 onceTailored 1835-Act PDF by email in minutes (+ £5 statutory witness fee)
One-time payment. Yours forever. No subscription, ever.

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