In most case, a deed poll is not required when a woman simply wants to change her name upon being widowed to her maiden name. A marriage certificate and a husband’s death certificate certify the name change and act as a valid evidence. This will work because the marriage certificate displays her maiden name and will be accepted as a documentary evidence.
However, there might be a requirement of deed poll where the death certificate of husband and marriage certificate are not accepted as evidence (e.g.: financial institutions).
A deed poll is definitely required in case a woman wished to change her surname to something else except for her maiden name.
To review the most current version of this information, please visit Widow Name Changes. Click here to return to the Information Repository main page.
