FAQ’s

Restrictions on Changing Names

Legally you can call yourself almost anything you wish, however, there are a few restrictions where chosen names would not be legally acceptable.

We do not maintain a list of unacceptable names but as a rule of thumb any order containing blasphemous names or profanities we would refuse to process. Most government departments would also refuse to accept names which included numbers or symbols.

PDPS take no responsibility for the legality of any name you choose, and our issuing of a Deed Poll in your chosen name cannot be taken as our endorsement of such.

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Birth and Marriage Certificates

Can I use a Deed Poll to change the name on my Birth or Marriage Certificate? The simple answer to this is No. As these certificates are historical documents they cannot be changed. If you are required to provide or show your birth certificate for any kind of application in your new name, it should be accompanied by a certified copy of your deed poll to indicate both your former and new names.

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Are Deed Polls registered anywhere?

No. There is no central register of Deed Polls in the UK and there is no requirement to do so. You may however elect to enrol your deed poll, a process that provides a public record of your name change, and you may find further information about enrolment from the HMCS website.

PDPS does not enrol deed polls.

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Can I change my child’s name by Deed Poll?

Yes you can. However there are legal restrictions, and strict rules for doing so have been laid down in the Children’s Act, which requires the explicit written consent of all those with parental responsibility for the child upto their 16th Birthday. The Legal Guardian/Parent must make the application for the Child on this site.

In this context a child upon reaching the age of 16 is considered to be a young adult and may apply using the Adult Deed Poll form under their own cognisance which does not require parental consent.

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