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 name change 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:
START ADULT DEED POLL
The list below is the most commonly used witnesses.
The people listed below cannot act as witnesses in your official documents, including 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.
When signing your deed poll, it is important to follow the correct legal procedure to ensure your name change is legally recognized. The deed poll must be signed in the presence of two independent witnesses who meet the criteria outlined above. These witnesses will also sign the document, confirming they have seen you sign it. This signed deed poll then becomes your official evidence of your new name.
If you are a British citizen living abroad, the process may differ slightly. Your deed poll will often need to be witnessed by a solicitor or notary public registered in the country where you reside. This ensures that the deed poll is legally accepted by the UK authorities, such as the UK Passport Office, when you apply to update your British passport or other official documents.
It is important to note that witnesses must not live at the same address, nor be close relatives or partners, to avoid any conflict of interest. This helps maintain the integrity of the deed poll execution process and ensures that the change of name is legally valid and accepted by record holders, including banks, government departments, and other official bodies.
Once your deed poll is signed and witnessed correctly, you can immediately use it to update your records with various organizations. This includes notifying the Passport Office, banks, HMRC, and others that hold your personal details. The deed poll document serves as proof of your new name and is often requested when changing your name on official records or documents.
If you are changing the name of a child, the deed poll must be executed on behalf of the child by all persons with parental responsibility, and the child must not object to the change. This ensures that the process is legally compliant and that the child’s new name is officially recognised.
Remember to keep your original deed poll safe, as you may be required to provide evidence of your name change multiple times in the future. Some people also choose to obtain certified copies of their deed poll to provide to various record holders, which helps avoid sending out the original document repeatedly.
Following these steps carefully will ensure that your name change by deed poll is legally accepted and that you can smoothly update all your official documents and records to reflect your new name.
