The process of changing a name via a deed poll is well known, but there are some frequently asked questions about the subject. One of which is whether there is a deed poll register. This blog will answer this common question and provide information about enrolled deed polls.
Are Deed Polls Registered?
It surprises many people that there is no central register of deed polls and name changes in the UK. Name changes, whether via deed poll, marriage/civil partnership or otherwise, are private and not a government matter. This means that deed polls are not automatically registered anywhere – the documentation of the name change a deed poll provides is your proof, which you then use to inform the relevant bodies of the change. You can, however, enrol a deed poll voluntarily.
What Does Enrolling a Deed Poll Mean?
To register a deed poll, you must do it with the Enrolment Books of the Supreme Court of Judicature in the Royal Courts of Justice, London. It will then be transferred to the National Archives in Kew, Surrey, after a five-year period. The National Archives holds enrolled deed polls from 1851 onwards. You will need your deed poll along with the following:
- Your birth certificate
- Marriage certificate, if applicable
- A statutory declaration
- A notice for the London Gazette
- Payment of the fee.
Enrolling on a deed poll is a reasonably unpopular thing, as it isn’t compulsory and can be complex, time-consuming and costly. It can take up to a month to complete the process, and it doesn’t make much difference to the status of your deed poll or name change.
Benefits of Enrolling a Deed Poll
Although we mentioned above the reasons why enrolling deed polls is not too popular, there are some benefits of having a copy of it held at the National Archives. These include:
- Official and clear evidence that your deed poll exists and is valid
- A copy of your deed poll is available to purchase by visiting the National Archives
- The deed polls can easily be traced and looked at by future generations if they wish to research their family tree.
If you have questions about using a deed poll to change your name or title, contact DeedPolls.com for deed poll assistance on 020 8150 2010.