About Deed Polls
What is a Deed Poll?
Why is it called a Deed Poll?
What is the purpose of a Deed Poll?
Who can apply for a Deed Poll?
How long does the process take?
Can I change my child’s name?
Can a birth certificate be changed?
Are there any restrictions on names?
Is a Deed Poll registered anywhere?
Why do people change their name?
Answers to other FAQs
Applying for a Deed Poll
Services For Previous Clients
Name Change Information
Introduction
A woman’s rights upon marriage
A man’s rights upon marriage
A couple’s rights upon a civil partnership
A woman’s rights upon separation
A woman’s rights upon divorce
A woman’s rights upon being widowed
A child’s rights upon adoption
Adding a middle name
Advice for transgender adults & children
An alternative to marriage
A unique gift
Changing your name on your passport
Obtaining a copy of your lost Deed Poll
Who to advise after changing your name
Why is it called a Deed Poll?
What is the purpose of a Deed Poll?
Who can apply for a Deed Poll?
How long does the process take?
Can I change my child’s name?
Can a birth certificate be changed?
Are there any restrictions on names?
Is a Deed Poll registered anywhere?
Why do people change their name?
Answers to other FAQs
A woman’s rights upon marriage
A man’s rights upon marriage
A couple’s rights upon a civil partnership
A woman’s rights upon separation
A woman’s rights upon divorce
A woman’s rights upon being widowed
A child’s rights upon adoption
Adding a middle name
Advice for transgender adults & children
An alternative to marriage
A unique gift
Changing your name on your passport
Obtaining a copy of your lost Deed Poll
Who to advise after changing your name
Example Letters Of Consent
From this page, you can access example letters of consent, which we need to receive before we can post your child’s Deed Poll documentation to you.
Click on a letter number to see the example letter
(PR = Parental responsibility)
Sole PR (where the father has never had PR)
This letter is only required if you have sole PR for a child included on a Family Deed Poll application. This letter is for mothers who have sole PR and the father has never had PR.
Note: If you have sole PR and have applied for a Child Deed Poll, you do not need to send us a letter of consent. However, click on this link to see the declaration that will be included on your child’s Deed Poll confirming you have sole PR.
Sole PR (other parent who had PR is deceased)
This letter is required if you now have sole PR because the other parent who had PR is no longer living.
Joint PR (everyone with PR consents to the name change)
This letter is required if everyone with PR consents to the name change.
Parent with PR is absent
This letter is required if you are a mother or father and the other parent with PR is absent and the absent parent’s whereabouts is unknown or if you are the mother and you have good reason for not wanting to contact an absent father.
Delegation of PR
This letter is required if you have PR for a child and wish to delegate PR to another person (with whom the child lives and who does not have PR) to enable the child’s name to be changed by that person.
Acknowledgement by the person recorded as the father on a birth certificate that he is not the biological father
This letter is required if you are recorded on a child’s birth certificate as the father but you are not the biological father.
If you haven’t already done so, please read our article about changing a child’s name, which explains the meaning of parental responsibility and allows you to establish whether you have sole or joint parental responsibility for your child. Click here (opens new window) to view the article.
Where to send your signed letter of consent
Please send your signed letter of consent to us using one of the following methods:
1. Fax to 0333 444 8486 (+44 333 444 8486 from overseas).
2. Scan your signed letter and email to loc@deedpoll.org.uk
3. Post to either of the addresses below.
Please note, if you are paying by cheque or postal order, or claiming a fee reduction for receiving a qualifying benefit, we suggest you do not fax or email your letter but enclose it with your payment and/or benefit evidence.
Freepost address
(if posting in the UK)
Using our Freepost address costs nothing but it takes about 3 working days to reach us. If you want your letter to arrive sooner, or if you are overseas, use the address below
Full postal address
Use this address if you want your letter to arrive sooner or if you are posting from overseas. Don’t forget to affix the correct postage
Example Letters Of Consent
From this page, you can access example letters of consent, which we need to receive before we can post your child’s Deed Poll documentation to you.
Click on a letter number to see the example letter
(PR = Parental responsibility)
Sole PR (where the father has never had PR)
This letter is only required if you have sole PR for a child included on a Family Deed Poll application. This letter is for mothers who have sole PR and the father has never had PR.
Note: If you have sole PR and have applied for a Child Deed Poll, you do not need to send us a letter of consent. However, click on this link to see the declaration that will be included on your child’s Deed Poll confirming you have sole PR.
Sole PR (other parent who had PR is deceased)
This letter is required if you now have sole PR because the other parent who had PR is no longer living.
Joint PR (everyone with PR consents to the name change)
This letter is required if everyone with PR consents to the name change.
Parent with PR is absent
This letter is required if you are a mother or father and the other parent with PR is absent and the absent parent’s whereabouts is unknown or if you are the mother and you have good reason for not wanting to contact an absent father.
Delegation of PR
This letter is required if you have PR for a child and wish to delegate PR to another person (with whom the child lives and who does not have PR) to enable the child’s name to be changed by that person.
Acknowledgement by the person recorded as the father on a birth certificate that he is not the biological father
This letter is required if you are recorded on a child’s birth certificate as the father but you are not the biological father.
If you haven’t already done so, please read our article about changing a child’s name, which explains the meaning of parental responsibility and allows you to establish whether you have sole or joint parental responsibility for your child. Click here (opens new window) to view the article.
Where to send your signed letter of consent
Please send your signed letter of consent to us using one of the following methods:
1. Fax to 0333 444 8486 (+44 333 444 8486 from overseas).
2. Scan your signed letter and email to loc@deedpoll.org.uk
3. Post to either of the addresses below.
Please note, if you are paying by cheque or postal order, or claiming a fee reduction for receiving a qualifying benefit, we suggest you do not fax or email your letter but enclose it with your payment and/or benefit evidence.
Freepost address
(if posting in the UK)
Using our Freepost address costs nothing but it takes about 3 working days to reach us. If you want your letter to arrive sooner, or if you are overseas, use the address below
Full postal address
Use this address if you want your letter to arrive sooner or if you are posting from overseas. Don’t forget to affix the correct postage