Who Can Change Their Name by Deed Poll?

Quick answer

Anyone aged 16 or over who lives in the UK can make their own deed poll — no reason, permission or court involvement needed. Under-16s need a parent or guardian to apply, with the agreement of everyone who holds parental responsibility. You must also have the mental capacity to understand the change.

Who should skip this

Skip a deed poll if you lack capacity to understand the change, if a court has already ordered the name, or if you only want a spouse’s surname printed on a marriage certificate. Skip a child pack without every parental-responsibility holder’s written consent.

Updated 8 September 2026 · Editorial policy

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Adults (16 and over)

From your 16th birthday you are treated as an adult for name-change purposes. You need no consent from parents, a spouse or anyone else, and you never have to give a reason. Fill in the three-minute form, print, and sign in front of two independent witnesses. Age plus capacity to understand what you are signing is the eligibility test.

Start: adult form. Restrictions on the name itself: what names get refused. Separated but still married: your spouse does not have to agree — see change name after separation.

Children under 16

A parent or guardian applies on the child’s behalf, and everyone with parental responsibility must agree — usually both parents named on the birth certificate. If one holder refuses, the only route is a Specific Issue Order from the family court on form C100. We will not sell a document that would not be valid.

Pack: child deed poll. Detail: parental responsibility and does the father have to agree?

Residency, nationality and capacity

A deed poll is a document of England and Wales practice, used across the UK. You do not need British citizenship — you need to live here and use the name here. Foreign nationals can change the name they use for UK records; their home country controls its own passports. You must have mental capacity to understand the change.

Scotland has an additional registration option through National Records of Scotland; a statutory declaration is also common there — see stat dec of name change. A deputy or attorney cannot normally execute a deed for someone without court approval.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Can 16 and 17 year olds really change their own name?

Yes. From 16 you make your own adult deed poll without anyone’s consent. A handful of organisations may additionally ask a 16–17 year old for a parent’s countersignature on their own forms, but the deed poll itself needs no parental involvement.

Can I change my name if I wasn’t born in the UK?

If you live in the UK, yes — a deed poll changes the name you use in the UK regardless of where you were born. UK bodies (Home Office, banks, DVLA once you hold a GB licence) accept it. Your home country’s documents, such as a foreign passport, are governed by that country’s law, and its embassy may or may not recognise a UK deed poll.

Can I change my name while bankrupt or on bail?

A deed poll does not erase obligations. Bankrupts must disclose all names used; anyone subject to court orders, licensing or notification requirements (for example under the Sexual Offences Act) must tell the relevant authorities about a new name — failing to do so is a criminal offence. The deed poll wording itself includes the police-notification acknowledgement.

How often can I change my name?

There is no legal limit. Each change needs a fresh deed poll, and each document stands alone. Very frequent changes can attract extra identity checks from banks and HMPO, but the law does not cap them.