DEED POLL SIGNING, WITNESSES & EXECUTION

Once you receive your Deed Poll, you must sign it and have it witnessed. The legal term for this is “execution".

We will send a document along with your Deed Poll that will tell you how to execute your Deed Poll (and any duplicate copies) so that your change of name becomes fully valid. It is solely your responsibility to ensure that this takes place. The procedure is relatively simple and the following basic rules apply:

*** If you have your witnesses already and want to start your deed poll order click on the button below:

WHO CAN WITNESS A DEED POLL?

• If you are British and a resident in mainland UK or Northern Ireland, your witness must be aged 18 or over.
• Your witness must know you, and not be suffering from any mental incapacity.
• Your witness must be independent of you. As such, your witness can be a friend, neighbour or colleague, but they may not be a relative, your partner, or someone you live with.
• Your witness must be present when you sign your Deed Poll
• If you are British and are living abroad (or anywhere other than mainland UK or Northern Ireland), your Deed Poll may need to be witnessed by a solicitor or notary public.
• If you are a foreign national, check with your embassy to see what is required in your home country.

Examples of valid witnesses

The list below is the most commonly used witnesses.

• Your Friend
• Your Work colleague
• Your Neighbour

Examples of invalid witnesses

The people listed below cannot act as witnesses in your deed poll.

• Your Mother or Father
• Your Sister of Brother
• A Grandparent
• Your partner (whether married or not)
• Your house mate

How many witnesses are needed for a deed poll?

To execute a deed poll you need two valid witnesses.

Once you have chosen your witnesses you should have your them sign your deed poll with a black ink pen. It is also a good idea that your witnesses know what they are signing, so let them read your deed poll before they sign.

If you have any questions about your deed poll witnesses give us a call. Our team will be able to help you with any questions that you have.