Changing your surname.

[TheTurbonator]

I've decided to change my name but I'm after a bit of advice of how I go about doing it and costs. I've decided to change it for family reasons, so don't worry I'm not doing it for fraudulent reasons.

From my own research, from the Citizens Advice Bureau's website http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/relationship... it states that you can immediately change your name and start calling yourself your new name without any paperwork (Deed Poll). The website isn't very thorough but from the sounds of it in most cases this is sufficient for most things. However it doesn't say what the limitations are for doing it without no formal paperwork that states a change of name. I mean, can I change the name on my Driver's licence and bank accounts without a Deed Poll?

I do need the name on my Passport changing though, so I will eventually have to change it through a Deed Poll. There seems to be many websites offering the service, so I was wondering if anyone could give me a hint in the direction of the right one and the official one. I found this one which does like the official one but was hoping someone could confirm whether it is or not: http://www.ukdps.co.uk/

Also I have two children whose surnames will also have to be changed.

Thanks in advance.

[TheTurbonator]

Thanks for all the help. I do fancy doing it myself after reading that website but it seems some companies/organisations can get a little funny and not accept Micky Mouse/DIY looking examples. There are plenty of websites offering to send you a Deed Poll for peanuts (£7) but it seems you get what you pay for, as cheaper examples are less likely to be accepted.

For the sake of £50-£100, I might as well just do it properly and get a Solicitor to do it.

ETA: Is a statutory declaration from a Solicitor sufficient enough for a change of name on a Passport? The Citizens Advice website seems to be worded in a way that hints the only means sufficient for passport documents is a Deed Poll.

Edited by TheTurbonator on Thursday 2nd August 12:57

[TheTurbonator]

Gareth79 said:

Using an "agency" is a bit of a waste of money, people have no problems with home-printed versions, these sites generate the text for you too:

http://freedeedpoll.org.uk/
http://freedeedpoll.co.uk/

As long as the wording is correct and it is witnessed correctly, and organisation doesn't really have any grounds to reject it, the paper it is printed on is irrelevant!

Can I use those forms for my 2 children too?

[TheTurbonator]

chriscpritchard said:

TheTurbonator said:

Can I use those forms for my 2 children too?

As mentioned above the wording is slightly different, make one using word with the wording of the childs one as different people need to sign it!

Many thanks. Realised you had posted a downloadable link for the childs version, after I asked that question.