You do not have to follow a legal process to start using a new name, however, a deed poll or change of name deed is a legal document that proves a change of name.

You can change any part of your name, add or remove names and hyphens, or change spellings. There are two different types. You can either:

1. Create an 'unenrolled' deed poll, known as a change of name deed. You can do this yourself or an organisation such as Herefordshire Registration Service can do this for you
2. Apply for an 'enrolled' deed poll. This means that you are putting your new name on public record. You must apply to the Royal Courts of Justice to get an enrolled deed poll using the deed poll process.

See the government website for further advice on changing your name.

Some organisations may not accept a change of name deed you have made yourself as proof of your new name, and, therefore, a specialist agency, such as a solicitor or Herefordshire Registration Service, can prepare this document for you. A fee will be involved. Two witnesses need to sign your change of name deed, they must be aged 18 or over. Once your change of name deed has been signed by yourself and your two witnesses, you can use this straight away as proof of your new name.

Service provided by Herefordshire Registration Service

Herefordshire Registration Service offer a change of name deed service for British nationals aged 18 or over.

• You will need to complete an online application form with details of your new name (see link below) and pay the fee
• Once we receive your application, we will prepare the change of name deed document for you
• We will then contact you to arrange an appointment at Hereford Register Office. At the appointment, you will need to provide documentation to prove your current identity
• At the end of the appointment, the document is signed by yourself and the registrars as your witnesses. We can store a copy of your change of name deed in our strong room and will be able to issue you with further copies of the document at any time in the future for the fee stipulated.

At the appointment we will ask to see original copies of two documents proving your current identity. Details are provided within the application form, but typical documents include a valid passport, UK birth certificate and a valid UK driving licence.

The change of name deeds that we issue are as legally valid as unenrolled deeds issued by solicitors in England and Wales.

The current fee for the provision of the service is £140 per single application, which includes lifetime storage and one certificate. Any additional certificates cost £13.50 each.

Read the guidance before you apply

Apply for change of name deed service

Guidance to read before you apply

Please note the following advice before applying for a change of name deed:

• A change of name deed cannot be used to change your birth certificate, marriage certificate or decree absolute. It is also not possible to get permanent records such as past educational certificates changed because these are a 'matter of fact' in that they were in the correct name when issued.
• We cannot offer you a change of name deed if you are a foreign national or are under the age of 18.
• You cannot change your name if you are detained under the Mental Health Act and your clinicians decide you do not have sufficient mental capacity to understand the significance and consequences of changing your name.
• Organisations may not accept a change of name if the proposed name cannot be correctly entered onto a computer system, for example because your name includes modified Latin characters or your forename or surname is characters.
• A change of name deed may not be accepted by a government department or company organisation outside the United Kingdom (British Embassies and British High Commissions overseas are considered part of the United Kingdom)
• Some organisations will require other documentary evidence that your name has been changed for 'all purposes' before accepting a change of name. For example, some financial institutions and the General Medical Council may want to see your passport in your new name before they will recognise your new name. Also, the UK Identity and Passport Service (and British Embassies and British High Commissions overseas) may require evidence that you are using your new name for all purposes by presenting them with two or three documents in your new name.
• The UK Passport Office will not issue a passport in breach of their inappropriate and temporary name change policy. This policy states that they will not accept a name they consider temporary or contains a political statement; a string of words that will not normally be considered a name; or a trade-marked name.

Further information

For any queries or questions regarding this service, please email us at registrars@herefordshire.gov.uk

Duplicate copies

If you wish to order a duplicate copy of a change of name deed you have previously received from Herefordshire Registration Service, you can order this using the online ordering facility.