When you decide to change your name, one of the first questions that might come up is whether to use an enrolled or unenrolled deed poll. Both types of deed poll are legal, but they differ in how they are recorded and how public the change becomes. Understanding this distinction will help you decide which option is right for you.
A deed poll is a legal document that confirms you have changed your name and that you intend to use your new name for all purposes. It allows you to update your records with government departments, banks, employers, and other institutions.
Once signed and witnessed properly, your deed poll acts as official evidence of your name change.
There are two types of deed poll in the UK: enrolled and unenrolled.
An unenrolled deed poll is a straightforward document that you can prepare yourself or order through an authorised provider such as the UK Deed Poll Office. It is fully legal and valid for all purposes once it has been signed and witnessed correctly. Most people in the UK use this type because it is quick, private, and accepted by all major institutions.
An enrolled deed poll, on the other hand, is a deed poll that has been formally registered with the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Enrolment involves submitting your deed poll along with an application form and supporting documents. Once approved, your name change becomes part of the public record and is published in The London Gazette, an official government publication.
In short, both types of deed poll are legally valid, but enrolling yours makes the change a matter of public record, while unenrolled deed polls remain private.
Yes. The UK Passport Office accepts unenrolled deed polls as full legal proof of a name change. You do not need to enrol your deed poll to update your passport.
As long as your deed poll is properly executed, meaning it has been signed, dated, and witnessed, it will be recognised by His Majesty’s Passport Office.
When applying for a new passport, include your original deed poll or a certified copy, along with any other required identification and supporting documents.
Yes, they are. All major government departments and agencies in the UK, including HM Passport Office, the DVLA, and HMRC, accept unenrolled deed polls. The same applies to banks, employers, and educational institutions.
Because the law does not require enrolment, an unenrolled deed poll is usually the easiest and most practical choice for most adults. The key is to ensure that your document meets the legal requirements, it must show your old name, your new name, and your clear intention to use the new name permanently.
Yes, absolutely. The Passport Office accepts both enrolled and unenrolled deed polls. What matters is that your deed poll has been correctly prepared and witnessed.
When you submit your application, you will be asked to include the deed poll as part of your supporting paperwork. The staff may also request to see other identification showing your new name, such as a driving licence or a bank statement, to verify that you are using your new name consistently.
For most people, an unenrolled deed poll is more than sufficient. It is simple, private, and recognised everywhere. An enrolled deed poll might be preferred if you want an official public record of your name change or if a specific organisation requests it, which is quite rare.
Whether you choose to enrol or not, both options are equally legal, and your new name will be valid once you begin using it consistently.
There is no requirement in UK law to enrol a deed poll. Both enrolled and unenrolled versions carry the same legal weight. The main difference is that enrolment makes your name change public, while an unenrolled deed poll keeps it private.
If you want a quick, recognised, and secure way to change your name, the UK Deed Poll Office can prepare an official deed poll for you that meets all government standards.
