Using Deed Poll to Change your Name

In the UK, the legal system does not require you to register a name change. You can change your name to anything that appeals to you, provided you are above 16 years of age and do not intend to defraud anyone. For instance, if you are a great fan of Michael Jackson, you can start asking people to address you with that name but then trying to sell your music albums under that name would be illegal. However, in order to have your new name on certain documents such as passport, bank account or driving license, you need to provide a deed poll as a proof.

Why Change Names?

Sidney Schechtel always dreamt about making it to Hollywood. He worked hard for a break and got an audition for anchoring a show. During the audition, when they asked his name, he immediately felt the need for an appealing name in showbiz. He spontaneously came out with a fancy last name and from them on the world came to know him as Sidney Sheldon, one of the leading writers of the world.

Wondering what is it that makes thousands of people change names every year? Here are some of the reasons that make people opt for a name change.

1. Surname Change after Marriage: You do not require a deed poll to have your husband’s surname after marriage. However, if you want to retain your current surname along with your husband’s surname linked with a hyphen or make your current surname as your middle name to adopt your husband’s surname as last name, you would require a deed poll to make it effective.

2. Separation: When separated from the husband but not legally divorced, then a deed poll is required to abandon the use of your husband’s surname.

3. Cohabitating Couples: If a couple are living together outside marriage but want their surnames to be changed, they can resort to a deed poll. This service could also be used by people in a gay or lesbian relationship.

4. Transsexual: To change the name after a sex change operation.

5. Dislike for Current Name: If you dislike your name, a deed poll service could be used to change your name.

6. For Fancy Reasons: Some people are so awed by celebrities that they get their name changed to that of the hero they admire most.

7. Personality Boost: While venturing into the entertainment industry, some people believe that their name is not good enough and change it to boost their personality.

8. Family Reputation: If the family reputation is tarnished in public due to any undesirable happening, a person may want to stop using his family name.

9. Child Name: To make a child adopt the step-father’s surname or to change the surname to mother’s if the child is born out of wedlock.

The Name Change Process

There are just a few restrictions in choosing your name These include avoiding special characters, numbers and symbols (except hyphen), implying titles such as sir, lord, knight, etc that have not been inherited, difficult to pronounce and names which sound profane/offensive.

These services can be availed in person, by post, telephone or online. However, online services are the easiest and the simplest method. You just need to fill out a form and make the payment. They would send you the agreement and once it is signed in front of a witness, the name change becomes effective. You can also save the solicitor’s fee by using this method.

The Hazards of Online Name Change

An online name change process is the easiest method and most people resort to it. However, it has a lot of disadvantages. In order to simplify the process, they do not perform any background check of the applicants. The details provided are assumed to be true and it is the applicant’s responsibility to inform the police of the name change in case of a criminal record. There are criminals who take advantage of this system to evade the law.

The government could come up with a central system that keeps record of name changes. Also, it becomes essential to perform a background check of applicants to make the system more reliable and secure.