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Free Deed Poll Template
A deed poll is the standard way to change your name legally in England and Wales. Our free template lets you create a properly worded deed poll in minutes — no solicitor required for most purposes.
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DEED OF CHANGE OF NAME
Deed Poll · United Kingdom · Common Law And Enrolment Of Deeds (Change Of Name) Regulations 1994
DECLARANT AND CHANGE OF NAME
| FORMER FULL NAME | James Robert Thompson |
| NEW FULL NAME | Mr James Alexander Harrison |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 15 June 1990 |
| NATIONALITY | British |
| CURRENT ADDRESS | 22 Park Avenue, Bristol BS1 5QR |
| DATE OF DEED | 9 March 2026 |
| PLACE OF EXECUTION | Bristol |
I, James Robert Thompson, born on 15 June 1990, a British national, currently residing at 22 Park Avenue, Bristol BS1 5QR, being a British subject / national domiciled in the United Kingdom and aged sixteen (16) years or over, do hereby solemnly and sincerely declare as follows:
1.
RENUNCIATION OF FORMER NAME
I hereby absolutely and entirely renounce, relinquish and abandon the use of my former name James Robert Thompson and I shall cease to use that name from the date of this Deed. This renunciation is made under the common-law right of every person in England and Wales to change their name by deed and is intended to take effect immediately upon execution of this Deed in the presence of the witnesses named below.
2.
ASSUMPTION OF NEW NAME
I hereby assume, adopt and take upon myself, in substitution for my former name, the new name Mr James Alexander Harrison and I undertake to use, sign and be known by that new name at all times hereafter in all records, deeds, documents, writings, proceedings, dealings and transactions, whether public, private, legal or administrative.
3.
REASON FOR CHANGE OF NAME
This change of name is made in good faith and for personal reasons and under the common-law right of every person aged 16 or over to adopt any name taken in good faith. I confirm that it is not made for any fraudulent purpose, to evade any debt, obligation, criminal liability or court order, nor to deceive any person. The change does not infringe the Fraud Act 2006 or any other enactment.
4.
DIRECTION TO THIRD PARTIES
I authorise and require all persons, bodies, institutions and authorities — including but not limited to HM Passport Office, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions, the National Health Service, the Electoral Commission, banks, building societies, employers, educational institutions and professional bodies — to designate, describe and address me at all times by my new name Mr James Alexander Harrison only, and to amend their records accordingly upon production of this Deed.
5.
EXECUTION BY FORMER AND NEW NAME
In evidence of the change and in order that the authenticity of this Deed may be verified, I shall sign this Deed with both my former name and my new name, in the physical presence of two independent adult witnesses who are not members of my family and who each sign and print their full name, address and occupation below, in accordance with the customary requirements for execution of a deed of change of name.
6.
ENROLMENT (OPTIONAL)
Enrolment at the Central Office of the Senior Courts under the Enrolment of Deeds (Change of Name) Regulations 1994 is optional. An unenrolled Deed Poll is nevertheless legally valid at common law and is accepted by HM Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC, the NHS, banks and most other institutions as documentary evidence of change of name.
7.
PROVING CHANGE OF NAME TO AUTHORITIES
Upon production of an original signed copy of this Deed (together, where required, with a valid identity document such as a passport or driving licence):
(a) HM Passport Office shall re-issue a passport in the new name under the Passports Act 1908 framework and current Passport Office guidance;
(b) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) shall amend the driving licence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 framework and DVLA change-of-name procedure;
(c) HM Revenue and Customs shall update tax and National Insurance records;
(d) the National Health Service shall update patient records; and
(e) banks, building societies, insurers and other regulated institutions shall update their records in accordance with their customer due-diligence obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017.
(a) HM Passport Office shall re-issue a passport in the new name under the Passports Act 1908 framework and current Passport Office guidance;
(b) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) shall amend the driving licence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 framework and DVLA change-of-name procedure;
(c) HM Revenue and Customs shall update tax and National Insurance records;
(d) the National Health Service shall update patient records; and
(e) banks, building societies, insurers and other regulated institutions shall update their records in accordance with their customer due-diligence obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017.
8.
LEGAL EFFECT AND GOVERNING LAW
This Deed Poll is executed as a deed and takes effect from the date stated above. At common law an unenrolled deed poll is a valid and sufficient record of a change of name. This Deed is governed by the law of England and Wales and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. The Declarant confirms that they have the mental capacity to execute this Deed within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, that no person has exercised undue influence over them, and that they are aware that knowingly making a false statement in connection with a change of name with intent to defraud may constitute an offence under the Fraud Act 2006.
9.
EXECUTION INSTRUCTIONS
(1) This Deed must be signed in the physical presence of both witnesses at the same time. (2) The Declarant must sign using their former name and immediately below using their new name. (3) Each witness must then sign and print their full name, address and occupation. (4) Witnesses must be independent adults (aged 18 or over), not related to the Declarant by blood, marriage or civil partnership, and not living at the same address. (5) Print the Deed on white A4 paper and retain at least two original signed copies — one for personal records and one to produce to institutions.
WITNESS PARTICULARS
| WITNESS 1 — ADDRESS | 5 Elm Close, Bristol BS2 3TT |
| WITNESS 1 — OCCUPATION | Registered Nurse |
| WITNESS 2 — ADDRESS | 7 Cedar Road, Bristol BS3 4RR |
| WITNESS 2 — OCCUPATION | Chartered Surveyor |
DECLARANT — SIGN WITH FORMER NAME AND WITH NEW NAME
Mr James Alexander Harrison
Date: ____________________
WITNESS 1 — INDEPENDENT ADULT
Patricia Evans
Registered Nurse
Date: ____________________
WITNESS 2 — INDEPENDENT ADULT
David Marsh
Chartered Surveyor
Date: ____________________
Available as a print-ready PDF or an editable Microsoft Word (.docx) file.
What Is a Deed Poll?
A deed poll is a legal document that proves a change of name. It is a binding declaration by the person changing their name that they are abandoning their old name and adopting a new one. In England and Wales, deed polls are the most common method of changing a name.
There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor or to "enrol" a deed poll to make it effective. A simple unenrolled deed poll, properly worded and witnessed, is accepted by most government departments, banks, and other organisations.
Adults aged 16 and over can execute a UK deed poll themselves. For children under 16 in England and Wales, all persons with parental responsibility must consent to the name change. Enrolled deed polls, which are recorded at the Royal Courts of Justice, are optional and involve a fee in Britain.
What's Covered in This Template
Our deed poll template includes all the elements needed for acceptance by UK organisations:
Current Full Name
Your existing legal name as it appears on official documents.
New Full Name
The name you wish to adopt, clearly stated.
Declaration of Intent
A formal statement that you abandon your old name and adopt your new name.
Promise to Use New Name
Commitment to use your new name at all times and in all contexts.
Request to Others
A request that all persons address you by your new name.
Date of Execution
The date on which the deed poll is signed.
Your Signature
Signed in both your old and new names.
Witness Details
Name, address, and signature of an independent witness.
How to Create a Deed Poll
Follow these steps to change your name using a deed poll:
- 1
Choose Your New Name
Decide on your new name. There are very few restrictions — you cannot choose a name for fraudulent purposes or one that is offensive.
- 2
Complete the Template
Fill in your current name, new name, and date. The wording must include the standard declarations of abandonment and adoption.
- 3
Sign the Deed Poll
Sign the document in both your old and new names.
- 4
Have It Witnessed
An independent witness (not a family member) must sign the deed poll, providing their full name and address. Two witnesses are recommended for wider acceptance.
- 5
Update Your Records
Send copies of the deed poll to your passport office, DVLA, bank, employer, GP, and other organisations to update their records.
Why Doxuno documents are different
Four things that make our templates more thorough than AI-generated drafts and more current than static template libraries.
Always current
Always current with the law
Templates carrying statute references are continuously updated as the law changes. Your document always reflects the current legal framework.
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Free to download. Vector text, embedded fonts, statute citations baked in. Print, sign, file. Ready for any signing flow including electronic signature.
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Continue editing in Word after download. Add custom clauses, reuse the template for similar agreements, or share with a colleague for collaborative review.
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Legal Considerations
Changing your name by deed poll in England and Wales is straightforward, but there are important legal points to understand.
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Reviewed for England & Wales law
Legal Basis
In England and Wales, you have the right to call yourself whatever you wish under UK common law, provided it is not for fraudulent or deceptive purposes. A British deed poll simply provides formal evidence of your name change. There is no statute that governs deed polls specifically in the United Kingdom — the right is based on English common law.
Enrolled vs Unenrolled
An enrolled UK deed poll is recorded at the Royal Courts of Justice and published in the London Gazette. It costs a fee and is a matter of public record in England and Wales. An unenrolled deed poll is not publicly recorded and is free to create in Britain. Both are legally valid under English law; most British people use unenrolled deed polls.
Children Under 16
All persons with parental responsibility must consent to a name change for a British child under 16 in England and Wales. If parents disagree, a court order under the UK Children Act 1989 may be required. A child aged 16 or 17 can execute a UK deed poll independently.
Passport and Official Documents
HM Passport Office accepts UK deed polls as evidence for changing the name on a British passport. The deed poll must be on a single sheet of paper, use the correct English wording, and be witnessed. DVLA, HMRC, and UK banks each have their own procedures for updating records in England and Wales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Change Your Name with a Free Deed Poll
Create your deed poll in minutes. Fill in your details, download the document, and start updating your records today.
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