uk deed poll cover letter

Information and advice about how to change your legal name by Deed Poll Monday - Friday | 9am - 6pm Helpline: 0333 444 8484

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Name change letter – Example 1

Sole parental responsibility (where the father has never had PR)

This letter is required if you have sole parental responsibility for a child that is to be included on a Family Deed Poll application form.

This letter has two paragraphs. The first is always required. For the second paragraph, because parental responsibility laws vary throughout the United Kingdom, you need to choose one of the nine optional paragraphs according to where and when your child’s birth was registered (the date of registration at a register office, not the date of birth). This letter should be from the mother. If you are the father and you believe you have sole parental responsibility (and the mother is not deceased), please call our Helpline or email us with your circumstances.

If you are changing more than one child’s name, please provide a separate letter for each child.

Our fax number and postal address can be found at the bottom of this page.

If you have Microsoft Word for Windows versions 2002, 2003 or 2007 on your computer, you can download an interactive Word template that will make it easy to produce the appropriate letter of consent.

Letter 1 Template

[ Your home address ]

[ Your daytime telephone number ]

To whom it may concern.

I, the undersigned, having sole parental responsibility for [ insert child’s current full name here ] consent to [ his/her ] name being changed to [ insert new full name here ].

Now choose ONE of the following 10 paragraphs:

1.  If your child’s birth was registered in ENGLAND or WALES from 1st December 2003, use this paragraph:

I confirm I was not married to my child’s father at birth or subsequently and no other person has acquired parental responsibility by agreement or by court order.  I also confirm the father is not recorded on my child’s birth certificate.

Click on the Open button if you see a File Download window.

2.  If your child’s birth was registered in ENGLAND or WALES before 1st December 2003, use this paragraph:

I confirm I was not married to my child’s father at birth or subsequently and no other person has acquired parental responsibility by agreement or by court order.

3.  If your child’s birth was registered in SCOTLAND from 4th May 2006, use this paragraph:

I confirm I was not married to my child’s father at the time of conception or subsequently and no other person has acquired parental responsibility by agreement or by court order.  I also confirm the father is not recorded on my child’s birth certificate.

4.  If your child’s birth was registered in SCOTLAND before 4th May 2006, use this paragraph:

I confirm I was not married to my child’s father at the time of conception or subsequently and no other person has acquired parental responsibility by agreement or by court order.

5.  If your child’s birth was registered in NORTHERN IRELAND from 15th April 2002, use this paragraph:

6.  If your child’s birth was registered in NORTHERN IRELAND before 15th April 2002, use this paragraph:

7.  If your child’s birth was registered in the ISLE OF MAN, from 1st November 2013, use this paragraph:

I confirm I was not married to my child’s father at birth or subsequently and no other person has acquired parental responsibility by agreement or by court order.  I also confirm the father is not recorded on my child’s birth certificate

8.  If your child’s birth was registered in the ISLE OF MAN, before 1st November 2013, use this paragraph:

9.  If your child’s birth was registered in the BAILIWICK OF JERSEY, use this paragraph:

I confirm I was not married to my child’s father at birth and no other person has acquired parental responsibility by agreement or by court order.

10.  If your child’s birth was registered in the BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY, from 4th January 2010, use this paragraph:

11.  If your child’s birth was registered in the BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY, before 4th January 2010, use this paragraph:

12.  If your child’s birth was registered OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM, use this paragraph:

Yours faithfully,

[ Mother’s signature ] [ Mother’s full name ] Mother

Fully completed example of Letter 1

(for a child whose birth was registered in England or Wales from 1st December 2003)

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  [email protected]

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

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Change name by deed poll

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• Length: 4 pages (1000 words)

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We avoid legal terminology unless necessary. Plain English makes our documents easy to understand, easy to edit and more likely to be accepted.

You don’t need legal knowledge to use our documents. We explain what to edit and how in the guidance notes included at the end of the document.

Email us with questions about editing your document. Use our Lawyer Assist service if you’d like our legal team to check your document will do as you intend.

Our documents comply with the latest relevant law. Our lawyers regularly review how new law affects each document in our library.

About this document

If you are a British citizen and over 16 years of age, completing a deed of change of name (commonly known simply as a deed poll) is usually the easiest way to start the process of changing your name on all your documents and records.

The law recognises the name that you use on the majority of records, not the name on any one single document. So to change your name legally, you not only need to complete a statement that you renounce your old name and take a new one (a deed of change of name) but you also have to tell friends and family to use your new name, and you have to tell organisations such as government departments, your bank and utility companies to do so as well. Government organisations, who should be the first organisations to approach (since the most important documents such as your passport are issued by government organisations), accept a deed of change of name as evidence of your intention to be known by a new name.

There are many companies on the Internet charging high prices for what is in effect a printing service. We want you to know that there are alternatives to using these companies. A deed of change of name is a legal document, not a government form. There are no 'official' services approved by the government or run by a government department because changing your name is not a government matter. Nor is there any requirement to have your deed poll printed on special paper or stamped with a red, silver or gold seal. The document may look more 'official' or 'authentic' but the weight and colour of the paper and presence of a stamp have absolutely no legal effect. The UK IPS, the DVLA and all other organisations will accept a deed poll printed by you at home on normal white paper.

If you haven't already, we recommend that you read our articles on changing your name for more information.

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UK DEED POLL

CHANGE YOUR NAME LEGALLY

CHANGE YOUR NAME BY DEED POLL: SIMPLE, LEGAL, AND HASSLE-FREE

Experience the convenience and legality of changing your name with UK Deed Poll. Whether you're an adult seeking a fresh start or a parent wishing to modify your child's name, we offer a straightforward process that is officially recognised.

Our services cover name changes for passports, ensuring your travel documentation reflects your new name accurately. With our expertise, you can navigate the entire process smoothly, saving time and avoiding complications.

Confidentiality and privacy are paramount to us. Your personal information and documents are handled with the utmost care and discretion, ensuring a secure and confidential name change journey.

With our user-friendly online platform, you can initiate your name change process from the comfort of your home. We provide step-by-step instructions and downloadable forms, making the experience efficient and stress-free.

Join the many individuals and families who have successfully changed their names with UK Deed Poll. Take control of your identity and embark on a new chapter of your life confidently. Start your name change journey today with the trusted service that sets us apart in the field of UK deed poll name changes.

ISSUED DEED POLLS

Join over 874,000+ UK citizens who have legally changed their name. Our trusted team is here for you! Change your name by deed poll today!

SATISFACTION GUARANTEE

Change Your Name by Deed Poll with Confidence! 100% Acceptance Guarantee by all organisations and government offices or Your Money Back!

OFFICIALLY RECOGNISED BY:

HM PASSPORT OFFICE

UK Deed Poll is a highly trusted firm specialising in name change law in the United Kingdom. Our team of experts is well-versed in all aspects of deed polls and can assist you with changing your name.

On our website, you will find comprehensive guidance on how to proceed with changing your name and the specific documentation required for the process.

Rest assured that any deed poll issued by UK Deed Poll is guaranteed to be accepted by all official government bodies and organis ations in the UK.

We have simplified the name change process to make it as straightforward as possible, and our team is available to provide any necessary advice or support.

Our mission is to deliver the best service with complete honesty and fairness, ensuring a smooth and affordable name change experience for our clients.

LEGALLY CHANGE YOUR NAME

Rest assured that any deed poll issued by UK Deed Poll is guaranteed to be accepted by all official government bodies and organisations in the UK.

ALL THE PAPERWORK YOU'LL NEED FOR AN EASY NAME CHANGE

  STANDARD KIT  

(print at home)

(we pri nt and post)

As part of our comprehensive service, we will:

Prepare your deed poll document and send it to you via email or post along with detailed instructions on how to execute it, including signing and witnessing.

Provide guidance on updating your records with relevant organizations, offering specific information tailored to each entity.

Create a personalized cover letter in a professional Word document format to accompany your deed poll. We will email this document to you, allowing you to print it as needed for multiple submissions.

Offer personalized advice and address any queries or concerns you may have throughout the name change process.

For child applications, we will also:

Determine the individuals with parental responsibility for your child and identify who needs to provide consent for the name change.

Prepare a cover letter that justifies your parental responsibility under the law. This letter will be sent to you as a Word document, ensuring its convenience and accessibility.

The UK Deed Poll operates independently and is not affiliated with any government agency. We specialise in providing the necessary documentation for individuals who wish to make a self-declaration of an unenrolled deed poll.

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Everything you need to legally change your name

Information  ▼

Advice for …  ▼

Deed poll  ▼, ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ december 2023 ann-marie lemon  .

It was so easy to use and so quick! I put off for years changing my name as I thought it would cost a fortune and take forever!! From start to finish and receiving my certificates was 48hours!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ December 2023 Paul Jennings  

This service was excellent in supplying the documents I needed to demonstrate a name change and reversal some years ago. In particular the customer service in support was excellent and the team was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and efficient.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ December 2023 mark  

fantastic 100% wonderful.. helpful. Great job .. Happy..

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ December 2023 Jyo 8  

Made changing name a lot simpler. It was helpful to have suggested list of bodies to inform about the name change. I'm still not sure who to begin with and am coming across a few stumbling blocks.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ December 2023 Grace  

Quick and easy helped me all the way through the process great service Thank you.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ November 2023 Debbie Oliver  

Excellent, paid for my name change as I got married in August and didn't want to let my marriage certificate go to companies that have little to no respect for other peoples documents. Deed certificates and helpful paperwork arrived quickly and easy to complete and send off to companies. Turns out it was a good move doing this as already some of the certificates are coming back in a worse state than they was posted out so well worth the money changing my surname and would fully recommend this service.Excellent, paid for my name change as I got married in August and didn't want to let my marriage certificate go to companies that have little to no respect for other peoples documents. Deed certificates and helpful paperwork arrived quickly …More

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ November 2023 Kate Chapman  

To be honest, I was skeptical as the reviews made it sound too good to be true! But all the other reviews are totally correct. A fast and super easy service; I got my documents through within 48 hours and very reasonably priced.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ October 2023 Jess Wilder  

I couldn't rate this service more highly. We used them for our entire family, adults and children. They were excellent from beginning to end, with extremely thorough guidance, prompt delivery of documents that are professional and clear, very useful pre-completed template letters and the option of follow-up support if you need it. And all at a very reasonable cost. Impressive.I couldn't rate this service more highly. We used them for our entire family, adults and children. They were excellent from beginning to end, with extremely thorough guidance, prompt delivery of documents that are professional and clear, …More

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ September 2023 Ktreana Banks  

Extremely easy to use, very fast and efficient service. I would recommend this service to anyone that is looking to change their name.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ September 2023 Pure Morzine  

Very professional service and fast delivery (even though I live outside the UK). I would absolutely recommend. Ric

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ September 2023 Kayleigh Bywood  

Verry quick and easy to change my name and my daughters had the paper work quicker than expected

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ August 2023 Miss Megs  

Such a quick process, very professional. I got my deed poll within 5 days and was provided with clear instructions/list on all the organisations I needed to notify. I also got the virtual deed poll storage which has was easy and efficient and has put my mind at ease in case if anything happens to my deed poll docs. Overall I am really happy and impressed.Such a quick process, very professional. I got my deed poll within 5 days and was provided with clear instructions/list on all the organisations I needed to notify. I also got the virtual deed poll storage which has was easy and efficient …More

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ August 2023 Dawn Barham  

Fantastic service, I ordered just before 3pm and it arrived the next morning. Very professional, would definitely recommend

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ August 2023 Aaron Adams  

Great advice over the phone, got exactly what I ordered. Perfect service

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ August 2023 M Jackson  

Very efficient service and so easy to change my name, wish I had done it sooner

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ June 2023 Simon Parry-Moreno  

Incredible service! The pricing is excellent and I received my documents quicker than I expected too. These guys are the epitome of professionalism, and made a potentially frustrating process incredibly smooth. I’ve had no issues at all with organisations accepting my deed poll documents (banks, DVLA, HMRC, etc.) either - so my ‘life admin’ has been super simple too. Thank you!Incredible service! The pricing is excellent and I received my documents quicker than I expected too. These guys are the epitome of professionalism, and made a potentially frustrating process incredibly smooth. I’ve had no issues at all …More

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ June 2023 River Frayling  

Really quick turn around and perfect when one needs to change their name on documents quickly. 10/10 would recommend

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ June 2023 Tyler James  

Very prompt service even with the inconvenience of a bank holiday weekend. Documents were well presented and packaged sufficiently for a safe, timely delivery. Thanks all!

Legally change your name

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Excellent service, I would recommend Deed Poll Office 

Very helpful and documents sent out very quickly , what an excellent service from deed poll office , what a knowledge­able user-friendly office .

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Where’s the “official” deed poll website?

Compare our prices with other services.

All prices shown are rounded to the nearest 50p. † UK Deed Poll Service only provides copies as part of its “Legal copy and archive service”, and there is a minimum order of 2 copies. †† Company has a compulsory minimum postage option which we have added for a direct comparison. ‡ Company isn’t clear about their despatch times — number shown is an estimate based on the delivery time-frames claimed on the company’s website. * UK DeedPoll Office LLC is a U.S. company registered in Delaware, U.S.A. (registered file number 6412385), and located at 42–11 Northern Blvd, Long Island City, NY, 11101, U.S.A. ** Deed Polls Online does not disclose its registered company information on its website (as it should do by law).

All prices shown are rounded to the nearest 50p. † UK Deed Poll Service only provides copies as part of its “Legal copy and archive service”, and there is a minimum order of 2 copies. †† Company has a compulsory minimum postage option which we have added for a direct comparison. ‡ Company isn’t clear about their despatch times — number shown is an estimate based on the delivery time-frames claimed on the company’s website. ‡‡ Company includes 1 st Class postage in their advertised price, so we have subtracted £  2 .10 for a direct comparison. * UK DeedPoll Office LLC is a U.S. company registered in Delaware, U.S.A. (registered file number 6412385), and located at 42–11 Northern Blvd, Long Island City, NY, 11101, U.S.A. ** Deed Polls Online does not disclose its registered company information on its website (as it should do by law).

About the service we provide

As part of our service we will:

For child applications we will also:

How to apply

Note that a deed poll is not the only way of changing your name, and — depending on your situation — you may not need a deed poll .

If you need any help

Please note that we do not provide a service that helps you trace your family tree — the deed polls we issue are private documents, and our records are not available for public inspection. For further information about searching for historical changes of name, you can read about other possible sources of historical records , or else get in touch with a genealogist.

Change Your Name in the UK with Deed Polls Online

Experience a hassle-free name change with the uk's top-rated deed poll service.

How to Change your Name by Deed Poll

Apply Online with the UK's Leading Deed Poll Service

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Witnessing Your Deed Poll: Clear & Simple Instructions

Update Your Records: Notifying After Your Name Change

Your UK Name Change Starts Here: Choose Your Deed Poll Service

What is a Deed Poll?

Can I change my name by Deed Poll in the UK?

How much does it cost to change my name by deed poll in the united kingdom.

Why Choose Deed Polls Online?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do i change my name in the uk, can i get a deed poll online, where can i find an affordable deed poll service, do i have to register my deed poll anywhere, approximately how long does the name change process take, what's the difference between an enrolled deed poll and an unenrolled deed poll, are there any restrictions on what i can change my name to in the uk, can i change my name by deed poll in scotland, how quickly can i get my official deed poll documents, how much does it typically cost to change your name with a deed poll, what are the steps involved in changing my name by deed poll in the uk, can i change my name after marriage by deed poll, is it possible to change my child's name with a deed poll in the uk, can i change just my last name with a deed poll, is it possible to change my first and middle name using a deed poll, where do i need to send my deed poll after it's completed, does a deed poll change the name on my birth certificate in the uk, i've lost my deed poll. can i get a replacement, who accepts our deed poll's.

Change of Name Deed Poll

Select from the drop-down list the type of Change of Name Deed Poll that is required by the applicant(s).

Need personalised assistance? At the end, you can choose to consult a lawyer.

CHANGE OF NAME DEED POLL

THIS DEED OF CHANGE OF NAME is made on ________

(1) ________ , formerly known as, ________ of

(A) I have changed my name and wish to renounce my former name.

THIS DEED DECLARES as follows:

I. RELATIONSHIP STATUS

I confirm that I am single.

II. CITIZENSHIP STATUS

I confirm that I am a British citizen under Section 1(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981.

III. OLD NAME

Before I changed my name to ________ , my name was ________ .

IV. RENUNCIATION OF OLD NAME

I absolutely renounce the use of my former name of ________ and determine to assume and use the name of ________ in its place.

V. USE OF NEW NAME IN DOCUMENTS

I declare that I shall at all times from now on in all documents, records, deeds, actions, proceedings, in all dealings and transactions and on all occasions use the name of ________ as my name in place of my former name of ________ .

VI. AUTHORITY FOR THIRD PARTIES TO USE NEW NAME

I authorise and require everyone to refer to me and to address me by my new name of ________ .

5588 52852222 558 8222 25285225 58 5 deed 525 25228 222282 22 252 5522 825225 52 252 822822822 22 2588 5225.

SIGNED AS A DEED AND DELIVERED by ________ , formerly known as, ________ :

Signed: . .............................................

formerly known as

IN THE PRESENCE OF :

Full name of witness:

...........................................................

Address of witness:

Occupation of witness:

HOW TO CUSTOMISE THE TEMPLATE

Answer the question, then click on "Next".

The document is written according to your responses - clauses are added or removed, paragraphs are customised, words are changed, etc.

At the end, you will immediately receive the document in Word and PDF formats. You can then open the Word document to modify it and reuse it however you wish.

You will also have the option of requesting assistance from a lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you’ll find a list of questions which are frequently asked about name changes and the deed poll process. If you have a question which is not answered here you can contact us by calling 020 8150 2010, or you can send an email to [email protected] .

Our advisors are asked  “Who is the official deed poll service?”  or  “Where is the official Deed Poll office?”  on a daily basis. There is a common and somewhat understandable misconception that deed polls are issued by an official government department or agency; and there are a number of shady websites that try to mislead or trick their visitors into thinking that they are indeed the official service.

The truth is that  there is no such thing as an official or government-approved deed poll office . Every website offering deed polls is owned by a private company or individual with absolutely no affiliation with or endorsement from the UK government. Therefore don’t be tricked into paying an unnecessarily high price for a online deed poll in the UK. Leading many people to wonder how much is deed poll in the UK? Unfortunately its not an easy question to answer as each website and company will charge different prices, so ensure you shop around before changing your name. 

The prices we charge on our site are always clear with full explanations of the service and product you’ll be receiving. Be sure to make contact with our team if you require further help with our online Deed Poll application form, or click the button below to view pricing and the various options available.

Why isn’t there an official issuer?

In order to understand why there is no official issuer of deed polls in the United Kingdom. You need to understand exactly what a deed poll is. You will often hear people referring to a deed poll as a “certificate” –  this is wrong ! A deed poll is simply a specific type of legal document, a contract of sorts, and as such they can be prepared by a solicitor or specialist legal service company.

Does that mean that my deed poll may not be accepted as evidence of my name change by everyone?

Absolutely not! Deed poll documents issued by us are guaranteed to be accepted by all organisations based in the United Kingdom. Therefore you can be assured that everyone will accept it as evidence of your name change. If for some reason your deed poll is refused by any organisation we will give you a full refund.

It is worth noting that in over fourteen years of issuing deed polls, amounting to tens of thousands of documents, we have never had to refund someone under our guarantee.

Further reading

The Advertising Standards Authority recently upheld two complaints ( complaint one  and  complaint two ) against UK Deed Poll Service, one of our competitors, for using the term  “official website”  on their website, thereby misleading visitors into thinking that they were offering an official government service which is a breach of rules 3.1 and 3.3 of the CAP Code.

Although the Advertising Standards Authority ruled against UK Deed Poll Service and ordered that they may not use the word “official” on their website or in their advertising material, the company continues to do so.

A Deed of Change of Name, more commonly known simply as a deed poll, is a legal document which has been specifically drawn up for the purpose of allowing an individual to legally change their name. Deed polls have been in use within the United Kingdom for over one hundred and fifty years and during that time hundreds of thousands of people have used the process. In 2011 alone a record-breaking 70,000 people changed their name by deed poll.

Why do I need a deed poll?

Although there is no specific law relating to changing your name in the UK, and technically you are free to use any name you wish without going through any formal process, in order to get most documents and records updated you must provide documentary evidence that your name has changed.

Executing a deed poll provides you are declaring that-

• you abandon your old name,
• you will use your new name exclusively, and
• you require everyone to call you by your new name

A deed poll provides the documentary evidence of your change of name required to get your passport, driving license, credit and debit cards, store cards, national insurance and tax information, employment records and most other documents updated.

Which information will appear on the deed poll?

The deed poll documents we issue contain the following information:

• your old name,
• your new name,
• your home address,
• your date of birth, and
• details of your chosen witness (name, address and occupation)

What is a deed poll?

Who to inform after changing your name.

Executing your deed poll is the first step in legally changing your name. Once you have signed, dated and had the document witnessed, you must inform every organisation which holds your personal information on file. Some organisations will allow you to notify them by sending the deed poll to them by post while others (your bank, for example) will ask that you bring the deed poll to them in person.

The organisations you need to inform of your name change are entirely dependent on your personal circumstances but as a general guide you will usually need to tell:

• your employer,
• your bank or building society,
• your mortgage provider,
• loan or credit card providers,
• your doctor,
• the  DVLA  (to update your license and vehicle registration document),
• the Identity and Passport Service,
• HMRC  (for tax and national insurance records),
• your landline phone service provider,
• your mobile phone service provider,
• your internet service provider,
• your local authority (for council tax and electoral roll),
• your car insurance provider,
• your life insurance provider, and
• your local police force

Note:  You only need to notify your local police force if you have any outstanding criminal cases against you or if you are required to be registered on the Violent and Sex Offender Register under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Can a birth certificate be updated?

Very few circumstances exist whereby a birth certificate can be amended. This is because they are considered historical documents which were correct at the time of issue. In most cases you will not be able to have your birth certificate amended and if you wish to legally change your name, you will have to apply for a deed poll.

Changing a child’s forenames

You may apply to the register office where the birth certificate was originally registered to have your child’s forename amended on his birth certificate providing the new name was given to him either in baptism or by regular use within twelve months of the birth being registered.

Change of forename in baptism

If your child was given their new forename in baptism, you must obtain “Form 13” from your local registry office and then take it to the Vicar or Minister of the Church where the child was baptised. They will complete the form (for which they will usually require a fee) and then you can return it to the registry office where the amended names will be inserted into space seventeen of the birth certificate.

Change of forename by use

If you are applying to change the forename on your child’s birth certificate because the new name has been in general use within the first twelve months of his life, you must obtain and complete “Form 14” from the registry office where the birth was originally registered.

If you are completing the form within the first twelve months after the birth was registered, you do not need to provide any evidence, but if you’re applying after the first twelve months, you’ll need to provide some documentary evidence that the new name has been in general use within the first year of the child’s life. The documentary evidence can be in the form of a dated bank statement, NHS letter, medical card, etc.

Changing a child’s surname

Although more difficult to achieve, it is possible to have a child’s birth certificate amended to show a new surname.

If the mother and father of the child were not married at the time, and the child’s birth was registered without the father being recorded, you can apply to the registry office at any time to include the father’s details and change the child’s surname to that of its father.

If the natural mother and father of a child marry each other at any time after the registration of their child’s birth, they can apply to the registry office to re-register the birth to change both the mother’s and child’s surname to that of the father/husband.

Is there a register of deed polls?

You may be surprise to learn that there is no central register of deed polls as there is no requirement to officially record a change of name in the United Kingdom. You may however have your deed poll enrolled in the Enrolment Books of the Supreme Court of Judicature which will provide a publically accessible record of your change of name.

Why would you enrol a deed poll?

There is no advantage to be had by enrolling your deed poll other than to provide a public record of your name change. Due to the costs involved (£64.43 as of November 2010) and the very stringent requirements the vast majority of people changing their name by deed poll decide against enrolment and as a result only around 250 of the 70,000 deed polls issued each year end up in the Enrolment Books.

Getting your document enrolled

If you wish to have your deed poll enrolled you should call the Royal Courts of Justice on 0207 947 6000 for more information, or write to:

The Royal Courts of Justice Strand London WC2A 2LL

Will I be able to get my passport changed?

Yes. The deed poll documents we issue are guaranteed to be accepted by all UK based organisations, including Her Majesty’s Passport Office, which means you’ll be able to get your passport updated to show your new legal name.

In order to get your passport updated you will need to pay the standard passport renewal fee. You can get an up to date list of passport fees by calling the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000.

Can I get my driving licence updated?

Yes. You can apply to update the name on your driving license by completing the D1 Application for a Driving License form (available through the DVLA website and at most Post Offices) and enclosing your deed poll as evidence of your change of name.

There is no fee to pay when applying for a new driving license following a change of name.

No. Passports and driving licenses only list the name you are currently known by so there will be absolutely no mention of your previous name once you have had them updated. The Identity and Passport Service and the DVLA will however keep a record of your old name on file and may share this information with other organisations.

The answer to this question is entirely dependant on your personal circumstances and preference. If you have many organisations to inform or you want to inform everyone fairly quickly, you should order a generous number of copies of your deed poll so that you do not have to wait for your deed poll to be returned by one organisation before sending it onto the next.

To give you a general indicator, the average number of copies requested between January and July of this year was  three .

Your credit rating will not be affected at all following your change of name. Whenever you apply for finance you will be asked to disclose your current name and any other names you have been known by. This allows the credit provider to access your entire credit history and score you accordingly.

In addition to the above, when you inform your bank or any other financial institution of your change of name they will in turn notify the major credit reference agencies. Both your old and new names will then be linked for the purposes of credit scoring.

You can change back to the name you were using before getting married at any time; you do not need to wait for the divorce to be finalised.

To change back to your old name you will however need to execute a deed poll and at the same time you can change your title back to Miss or Ms.

A statutory declaration (stat dec) is a legal document which can be used as evidence of your legal change of name and as such it is very similar to a deed poll (deed of change of name). However, a stat dec differs from a deed poll in that it must be signed in the presence of a legal professional such as:

• a Solicitor,
• a Notary of the Public,
• a Justice of the Peace, or
• a Commissioner for Oaths

Given that you have to pay for a qualified legal professional to authenticate your stat dec it is often the case that executing a deed poll is better value for money.

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Questions regarding a UK Deed Poll

Hey, long time lurker here that can't find the definitive answers I need from the numerous threads on deed polls here, so I thought I'd ask y'all and hopefully clear up the issues for others too. I am a UK citizen and the country I live in does not allow people to change their name without a (in the eyes) legally valid reason.

I am in need of changing my name in the UK but haven't lived there for a number of years, so no bank accounts there, not paying bills there. With the information I have got from other threads, I should be able to print a deed poll and sign it or have a statuatory declaration drawn up by a solicitor for £5-£10. This would all be feasible but I am worried as to how I will receive a new passport or ID in the UK to then use. Does anyone have experience with applying for a new passport with their deed poll? If so could you please describe the process of the application, the website states I would need to provide proofs that I am currenty using the name.

I've left this for such a long time and with brexit coming up now I can only see it getting messier if I wait longer, your help would be much appreciated!

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• Cast & crew
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Deadpool & Wolverine

Wolverine is recovering from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth Deadpool. They team up to defeat a common enemy. Wolverine is recovering from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth Deadpool. They team up to defeat a common enemy. Wolverine is recovering from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth Deadpool. They team up to defeat a common enemy.

• Ryan Reynolds
• Rhett Reese
• Paul Wernick
• Hugh Jackman
• Emma Corrin
• 4 User reviews
• 61 Critic reviews
• 3 wins & 1 nomination

• Wade Wilson …

• Cassandra Nova

• Mr. Paradox

• Happy Hogan

• Negasonic Teenage Warhead

• Shatterstar

• Mrs. Chipman
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• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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• Trivia Kevin Feige served as an associate producer on X-Men (2000) , and was present at Hugh Jackman 's original audition for Wolverine. Feige said, "For [Jackman], and for me, and I think for all of the fans of Marvel, it's unbelievable what has happened in 23 years... to have Hugh come back is incredible. For me, personally, that is where I started. It was his first on-set audition, and he flew up to Toronto to do a read with Anna Paquin . I remember sitting behind the camera, well behind the camera, at his audition... It's very full-circle having him come back in this new Deadpool film."

Deadpool : [to Wolverine] Don't just stand there, you ape. Give me a hand up.

[Wolverine draws his claws]

Deadpool : Nope, I'm actually okay, thank you very much!

• Crazy credits The Marvel Studios logo is in red and black and yellow, Deadpool and Wolverine's colors.
• Connections Featured in Nerdrotic: Marvel Admits FAILURE - The Marvels Killed the M-She-U, and That's a Good Thing (2024)
• Soundtracks Only You (and You Alone) (re-recorded) Written by Buck Ram and Ande Rand Performed by The Platters Courtesy of Cleopatra Records By arrangement with The Orchard

User reviews 4

• vanparyssayanyt
• Jul 23, 2024
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• Why is Marvel Studios trying to fold the X-Men into the MCU? With the Quicksilver character in both series in different centuries with different storylines, and with Josh Brolin playng both Cable and Thanos, it wouldn't make sense. Wouldn't it just be easier to make a new X-Men movie in the MCU?
• Is this movie just another Superhero Comedy from Marvel or will Marvel finally give us a considerably serious superhero production?
• July 26, 2024 (United States)
• United States
• Marvel - Deadpool & Wolverine
• Norfolk, England, UK
• Marvel Studios
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• 21 Laps Entertainment
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• Runtime 2 hours 7 minutes
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He is dangerous in word, deed and action

He puts self over country, he loathes the laws we live by, donald trump is unfit to lead.

The editorial board is a group of opinion journalists whose views are informed by expertise, research, debate and certain longstanding values . It is separate from the newsroom.

For the third time in eight years, Donald Trump will be nominated as the Republican Party’s candidate for president of the United States. A once great political party now serves the interests of one man, a man as demonstrably unsuited for the office of president as any to run in the long history of the Republic, a man whose values, temperament, ideas and language are directly opposed to so much of what has made this country great.

It is a chilling choice against this national moment. For more than two decades, large majorities of Americans have said they are dissatisfied with the direction of the country, and the post-Covid era of stubborn inflation, high interest rates, social division and political stagnation has left many voters even more frustrated and despondent.

The Republican Party once pursued electoral power in service to solutions for such problems, to building “the shining city on a hill,” as Ronald Reagan liked to say. Its vision of the United States — embodied in principled public servants like George H.W. Bush, John McCain and Mitt Romney — was rooted in the values of freedom, sacrifice, individual responsibility and the common good. The party’s conception of those values was reflected in its longstanding conservative policy agenda, and today many Republicans set aside their concerns about Mr. Trump because of his positions on immigration, trade and taxes. But the stakes of this election are not fundamentally about policy disagreements. The stakes are more foundational: what qualities matter most in America’s president and commander in chief.

Mr. Trump has shown a character unworthy of the responsibilities of the presidency. He has demonstrated an utter lack of respect for the Constitution, the rule of law and the American people. Instead of a cogent vision for the country’s future, Mr. Trump is animated by a thirst for political power: to use the levers of government to advance his interests, satisfy his impulses and exact retribution against those who he thinks have wronged him.

He is, quite simply, unfit to lead.

The Democrats are rightly engaged in their own debate about whether President Biden is the right person to carry the party’s nomination into the election, given widespread concerns among voters about his age-related fitness. This debate is so intense because of legitimate concerns that Mr. Trump may present a danger to the country, its strength, security and national character — and that a compelling Democratic alternative is the only thing that would prevent his return to power. It is a national tragedy that the Republicans have failed to have a similar debate about the manifest moral and temperamental unfitness of their standard-bearer, instead setting aside their longstanding values, closing ranks and choosing to overlook what those who worked most closely with the former president have described as his systematic dishonesty, corruption, cruelty and incompetence.

That task now falls to the American people. We urge voters to see the dangers of a second Trump term clearly and to reject it. The stakes and significance of the presidency demand a person who has essential qualities and values to earn our trust, and on each one, Donald Trump fails.

Moral Fitness Matters

Presidents are confronted daily with challenges that require not just strength and conviction but also honesty, humility, selflessness, fortitude and the perspective that comes from sound moral judgment.

If Mr. Trump has these qualities, Americans have never seen them in action on behalf of the nation’s interests. His words and actions demonstrate a disregard for basic right and wrong and a clear lack of moral fitness for the responsibilities of the presidency.

He lies blatantly and maliciously, embraces racists , abuses women and has a schoolyard bully’s instinct to target society’s most vulnerable. He has delighted in coarsening and polarizing the town square with ever more divisive and incendiary language. Mr. Trump is a man who craves validation and vindication, so much that he would prefer a hostile leader’s lies to his own intelligence agencies’ truths and would shake down a vulnerable ally for short-term political advantage . His handling of everything from routine affairs to major crises was undermined by his blundering combination of impulsiveness, insecurity and unstudied certainty.

This record shows what can happen to a country led by such a person: America’s image, credibility and cohesion were relentlessly undermined by Mr. Trump during his term.

None of his wrongful actions are so obviously discrediting as his determined and systematic attempts to undermine the integrity of elections — the most basic element of any democracy — an effort that culminated in an insurrection at the Capitol to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power.

On Jan. 6, 2021, Mr. Trump incited a mob to violence with hateful lies, then stood by for hours as hundreds of his supporters took his word and stormed the Capitol with the aim of terrorizing members of Congress into keeping him in office. He praised these insurrectionists and called them patriots; today he gives them a starring role at campaign rallies, playing a rendition of the national anthem sung by inmates involved with Jan. 6, and he has promised to consider pardoning the rioters if re-elected. He continues to wrong the country and its voters by lying about the 2020 election, branding it stolen, despite the courts, the Justice Department and Republican state officials disputing him. No man fit for the presidency would flog such pernicious and destructive lies about democratic norms and values, but the Trumpian hunger for vindication and retribution has no moral center.

To vest such a person with the vast powers of the presidency is to endanger American interests and security at home as well as abroad. The nation’s commander in chief must uphold the oath to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.” It is the closest thing that this secular nation has to a sacred trust. The president has several duties and powers that are his alone: He has the sole authority to launch a nuclear weapon. He has the authority to send American troops into harm’s way and to authorize the use of lethal force against individuals and other nations. Americans who serve in the military also take an oath to defend the Constitution, and they rely on their commander in chief to take that oath as seriously as they do.

Mr. Trump has shown, repeatedly, that he does not. On numerous occasions, he asked his defense secretary and commanders in the American armed forces to violate that oath. On other occasions, he demanded that members of the military violate norms that preserve the dignity of the armed services and protect the military from being used for political purposes. They largely refused these illegal and immoral orders, as the oath requires.

The lack of moral grounding undermines Mr. Trump even in areas where voters view him as stronger and trust him more than Mr. Biden, like immigration and crime. Veering into a kind of brutal excess that is, at best, immoral and, at worst, unconstitutional, he has said that undocumented immigrants were “ poisoning the blood of our country ,” and his advisers say he would aim to round them up in mass detention camps and end birthright citizenship . He has indicated that, if faced with episodes of rioting or crime surges, he would unilaterally send troops into American cities. He has asked aides if the United States could shoot migrants below the waist to slow them down, and he has said that he would use the Insurrection Act to deploy the military against protesters.

During his time in office, none of those things happened because there were enough people in military leadership with the moral fitness to say “no” to such illegal orders. But there are good reasons to worry about whether that would happen again, as Mr. Trump works harder to surround himself with people who enable rather than check his most insidious impulses.

The Supreme Court, with its ruling on July 1 granting presidents “absolute immunity” for official acts, has removed an obstacle to Mr. Trump’s worst impulses: the threat of legal consequences. What remains is his own sense of right and wrong. Our country’s future is too precious to rely on such a broken moral compass.

Principled Leadership Matters

Republican presidents and presidential candidates have used their leadership at critical moments to set a tone for society to live up to. Mr. Reagan faced down totalitarianism in the 1980s, appointed the first woman to the Supreme Court and worked with Democrats on bipartisan tax and immigration reforms. George H.W. Bush signed the Americans With Disabilities Act and decisively defended an ally, Kuwait, against Iraqi aggression. George W. Bush, for all his failures after Sept. 11, did not stoke hate against or demonize Muslims or Islam.

As a candidate during the 2008 race, Mr. McCain spoke out when his fellow conservatives spread lies about his opponent, Barack Obama. Mr. Romney was willing to sacrifice his standing and influence in the party he once represented as a presidential nominee, by boldly calling out Mr. Trump’s failings and voting for his removal from office.

These acts of leadership are what it means to put country first, to think beyond oneself.

Mr. Trump has demonstrated contempt for these American ideals. He admires autocrats, from Viktor Orban to Vladimir Putin to Kim Jong-un. He believes in the strongman model of power — a leader who makes things happen by demanding it, compelling agreement through force of will or personality. In reality, a strongman rules through fear and the unprincipled use of political might for self-serving ends, imposing poorly conceived policies that smother innovation, entrepreneurship, ideas and hope.

During his four years in office, Mr. Trump tried to govern the United States as a strongman would, issuing orders or making decrees on Twitter. He announced sudden changes in policy — on who can serve in the military , on trade policy, on how the United States deals with North Korea or Russia — without consulting experts on his staff about how these changes would affect America. Indeed, nowhere did he put his political or personal interests above the national interest more tragically than during the pandemic , when he faked his way through a crisis by touting conspiracy theories and pseudoscience while ignoring the advice of his own experts and resisting basic safety measures that would have saved lives.

He took a similar approach to America’s strategic relationships abroad. Mr. Trump lost the trust of America’s longstanding allies, especially in NATO, leaving Europe less secure and emboldening the far right and authoritarian leaders in Europe, Latin America and Asia. He pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, leaving that country, already a threat to the world, more dangerous, thanks to a revived program that has achieved near-weapons-grade uranium.

In a second term, his willingness to appease Mr. Putin would leave Ukraine’s future as a democratic and independent country in doubt. Mr. Trump implies that he could single-handedly end the catastrophic war in Gaza but has no real plan. He has suggested that in a second term he’d increase tariffs on Chinese goods to 60 percent or higher and that he would put a 10 percent tariff on all imported goods, moves that would raise prices for American consumers and reduce innovation by allowing U.S. industries to rely on protectionism instead.

The worst of the Trump administration’s policies were often blocked by Congress, by court challenges and by the objections of honorable public servants who stepped in to thwart his demands when they were irresponsible or did not follow the law. When Mr. Trump wanted an end to Obamacare, a single Republican senator, Mr. McCain, saved it, preserving health care for millions of Americans. Mr. Trump demanded that James Comey, his F.B.I. director, pledge loyalty to him and end an investigation into a political ally; Mr. Comey refused. Scientists and public health officials called out and corrected his misinformation about climate science and Covid. The Supreme Court sided against the Trump administration more times than any other president since at least Franklin D. Roosevelt.

A second Trump administration would be different. He intends to fill his administration with sycophants, those who have shown themselves willing to obey Mr. Trump’s demands or those who lack the strength to stand up to him. He wants to remove those who would be obstacles to his agenda, by enacting an order to make it easier to fire civil servants and replace them with those more loyal to him.

This means not only that Americans would lose the benefit of their expertise but also that America would be governed in a climate of fear, in which government employees must serve the interests of the president rather than the public. All cabinet secretaries follow a president’s lead, but Mr. Trump envisions a nation in which public service as Americans understand it would cease to exist — where individual civil servants and departments could no longer make independent decisions and where research by scientists and public health experts and investigations by the Justice Department and others in federal law enforcement would be more malleable to the demands of the White House.

Another term under Mr. Trump’s leadership would risk doing permanent damage to our government. As Mr. Comey, a longtime Republican, wrote in a 2019 guest essay for Times Opinion, “Accomplished people lacking inner strength can’t resist the compromises necessary to survive Mr. Trump and that adds up to something they will never recover from.” Very few who serve under him can avoid this fate “because Mr. Trump eats your soul in small bites,” Mr. Comey wrote. “Of course, to stay, you must be seen as on his team, so you make further compromises. You use his language, praise his leadership, tout his commitment to values. And then you are lost. He has eaten your soul.” America will get nowhere with a strongman. It needs a strong leader.

Character Matters

Character is the quality that gives a leader credibility, authority and influence. During the 2016 campaign, Mr. Trump’s petty attacks on his opponents and their families led many Republicans to conclude that he lacked such character. Other Republicans, including those who supported the former president’s policies in office, say they can no longer in good conscience back him for the presidency. “It’s a job that requires the kind of character he just doesn’t have,” Paul Ryan, a former Republican House speaker, said of Mr. Trump in May .

Those who know Mr. Trump’s character best — the people he appointed to serve in the most important positions of his White House — have expressed grave doubts about his fitness for office.

His former chief of staff John Kelly, a retired four-star Marine Corps general, described Mr. Trump as “a person who admires autocrats and murderous dictators. A person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution and the rule of law.” Bill Barr, whom Mr. Trump appointed as attorney general, said of him , “He will always put his own interest and gratifying his own ego ahead of everything else, including the country’s interest.” James Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general who served as defense secretary, said , “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try.”

Mike Pence, Mr. Trump’s vice president, has disavowed him. No other vice president in modern American history has done this. “I believe that anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States,” Mr. Pence has said . “And anyone who asked someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president of the United States again.”

These are hardly exceptions. In any other American administration, a single cabinet-level defection is rare. But an unprecedented number of Mr. Trump’s appointees have publicly criticized his leadership, opposed his 2024 presidential candidacy or ducked questions about his fitness for a second term. More than a dozen of his most senior appointees — those he chose to work alongside him and who saw his performance most closely — have spoken out against him, serving as witnesses about the kind of leader he is.

There are many ways to judge leaders’ character; one is to see whether they accept responsibility for their actions. As a general rule, Mr. Trump abhors accountability. If he loses, the election is rigged. If he is convicted, it’s because the judges are out to get him. If he doesn’t get his way in a deal, as happened multiple times with Congress in his term, he shuts down the government or threatens to.

Americans do not expect their presidents to be perfect; many of them have exhibited hubris, self-regard, arrogance and other character flaws. But the American system of government is more than just the president: It is a system of checks and balances, and it relies on everyone in government to intervene when a president’s personal failings might threaten the common good.

Mr. Trump tested those limits as president, and little has changed about him in the four years since he lost re-election. He tries to intimidate anyone with the temerity to testify as a witness against him. He attacks the integrity of judges who are doing their duty to hold him accountable to the law. He mocks those he dislikes and lies about those who oppose him and targets Republicans for defeat if they fail to bend the knee.

It may be tempting for Americans to believe that a second Trump presidency would be much like the first, with the rest of government steeled to protect the country and resist his worst impulses. But the strongman needs others to be weak, and Mr. Trump is surrounding himself with yes men.

The American public has a right to demand more from their president and those who would serve under him.

A President’s Words Matter

When America saw white nationalists and neo-Nazis march through the streets of Charlottesville, Va., in 2017 and activists were rallying against racism, Mr. Trump spoke of “very fine people on both sides.” When he was pressed about the white supremacist Proud Boys during a 2020 debate, Mr. Trump told them to “stand back and stand by,” a request that, records show, they took literally in deciding to storm Congress. This winter, the former president urged Iowans to vote for him and score a victory over their fellow Americans — “all of the liars, cheaters, thugs, perverts, frauds, crooks, freaks, creeps.” And in a Veterans Day speech in New Hampshire, he used the word “vermin,” a term he has deployed to describe both immigrants and political opponents.

What a president says reflects on the United States and the kind of society we aspire to be.

In 2022 this board raised an urgent alarm about the rising threat of political violence in the United States and what Americans could do to stop it. At the time, Mr. Trump was preparing to declare his intention to run for president again, and the Republican Party was in the middle of a fight for control, between Trumpists and those who were ready to move on from his destructive leadership. This struggle within the party has consequences for all Americans. “A healthy democracy requires both political parties to be fully committed to the rule of law and not to entertain or even tacitly encourage violence or violent speech,” we wrote.

A large faction of one party in our country fails that test, and that faction, Mr. Trump’s MAGA extremists, now controls the party and its levers of power. There are many reasons his conquest of the Republican Party is bad for American democracy, but one of the most significant is that those extremists have often embraced violent speech or the belief in using violence to achieve their political goals. This belief led to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, and it has resulted in a rising number of threats against judges, elected officials and prosecutors.

This threat cannot be separated from Mr. Trump’s use of language to encourage violence, to dehumanize groups of people and to spread lies. A study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, released in October 2022, came to the conclusion that MAGA Republicans (as opposed to those who identified themselves as traditional Republicans) “are more likely to hold extreme and racist beliefs, to endorse political violence, to see such violence as likely to occur and to predict that they will be armed under circumstances in which they consider political violence to be justified.”

The Republican Party had an opportunity to renounce Trumpism; it has submitted to it. Republican leaders have had many opportunities to repudiate his violent discourse and make clear that it should have no place in political life; they failed to. Sizable numbers of voters in Republican primaries abandoned Mr. Trump for other candidates, and independent and undecided voters have said that Mr. Trump’s language has alienated them from his candidacy.

But with his nomination by his party all but assured, Mr. Trump has become even more reckless in employing extreme and violent speech, such as his references to executing generals who raise questions about his actions. He has argued, before the Supreme Court, that he should have the right to assassinate a political rival and face no consequences.

The Rule of Law Matters

The danger from these foundational failings — of morals and character, of principled leadership and rhetorical excess — is never clearer than in Mr. Trump’s disregard for rule of law, his willingness to do long-term damage to the integrity of America’s systems for short-term personal gain.

As we’ve noted, Mr. Trump’s disregard for democracy was most evident in his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and to encourage violence to stop the peaceful transfer of power. What stood in his way were the many patriotic Americans, at every level of government, who rejected his efforts to bully them into complying with his demands to change election results. Instead, they followed the rules and followed the law. This respect for the rule of law, not the rule of men, is what has allowed American democracy to survive for more than 200 years.

In the four years since losing the election, Mr. Trump has become only more determined to subvert the rule of law, because his whole theory of Trumpism boils down to doing whatever he wants without consequence. Americans are seeing this unfold as Mr. Trump attempts to fight off numerous criminal charges. Not content to work within the law to defend himself, he is instead turning to sympathetic judges — including two Supreme Court justices with apparent conflicts over the 2020 election and Jan. 6-related litigation. The playbook: delay federal prosecution until he can win election and end those legal cases. His vision of government is one that does what he wants, rather than a government that operates according to the rule of law as prescribed by the Constitution, the courts and Congress.

As divided as America is, people across the political spectrum generally recoil from rigged rules, favoritism, self-dealing and abuse of power. Our country has been so stable for so long in part because most Americans and most American leaders follow the rules or face the consequences.

So much in the past two decades has tested these norms in our society — the invasion of Iraq under false pretenses, the failures that led to the 2008 financial crisis and the recession that followed, the pandemic and all the fractures and inequities that it revealed. We need a recommitment to the rule of law and the values of fair play. This election is a moment for Americans to decide whether we will keep striving for those ideals.

Mr. Trump rejects them. If he is re-elected, America will face a new and precarious future, one that it may not be prepared for. It is a future in which intelligence agencies would be judged not according to whether they preserved national security but by whether they served Mr. Trump’s political agenda. It means that prosecutors and law enforcement officials would be judged not according to whether they follow the law to keep Americans safe but by whether they obey his demands to “go after” political enemies. It means that public servants would be judged not according to their dedication or skill but by whether they show sufficient loyalty to him and his MAGA agenda.

Even if Mr. Trump’s vague policy agenda would not be fulfilled, he could rule by fear. The lesson of other countries shows that when a bureaucracy is politicized or pressured, the best public servants will run for the exits.

This is what has already happened in Mr. Trump’s Republican Party, with principled leaders and officials retiring, quitting or facing ouster. In a second term, he intends to do that to the whole of government.

Election Day is less than four months away. The case against Mr. Trump is extensive, and this board urges Americans to perform a simple act of civic duty in an election year: Listen to what Mr. Trump is saying, pay attention to what he did as president and allow yourself to truly inhabit what he has promised to do if returned to office.

Voters frustrated by inflation and immigration or attracted by the force of Mr. Trump’s personality should pause and take note of his words and promises. They have little to do with unity and healing and a lot to do with making the divisions and anger in our society wider and more intense than they already are.

The Republican Party has made its choice; soon all Americans will be able to make their own choice. What would Mr. Trump do in a second term? He has told Americans who he is and shown them what kind of leader he would be.

When someone fails so many foundational tests, you don’t give him the most important job in the world.

From top, photographs and video by Damon Winter/The New York Times (2) and Jay Turner Frey Seawell (5).

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Deadpool Designs the Cheekiest Xbox Controller

• Marcos Waltenberg, General Manager of Xbox Global Partnerships & Consumer Products

In anticipation of Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” coming to theaters on July 26, Deadpool himself has teamed up with Xbox to design a custom Xbox Wireless Controller that everyone will want to get their hands on. Modeled after Deadpool’s much-discussed, perfectly rounded tush, the Deadpool-designed controller is available for one lucky fan to enter for a chance to win via a global sweepstakes alongside other custom Xbox hardware.

On July 22, the first 1,000 fans to purchase an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Core from the Microsoft store will receive an exclusive Cable Guys Deadpool Controller Holder by EXG Pro to ‘enhance’ their gaming setup. Deadpool-themed controller holders are only available in North America and Canada and while supplies last.

The appropriately named “Cheeky Controller” channels Deadpool’s buns of steel in its firm (yet surprisingly comfortable) grip. Designed by the Merc with a Mouth himself, it also comes clad in the anti-hero’s instantly recognizable—and might we add, incredibly flattering—red and black tactical suit. Beginning today, fans aged 18+ around the world can enter for a chance to win by following Xbox on X and reposting the official Xbox sweepstakes post .

Gamers could also win custom Xbox hardware, including a custom Deadpool-inspired Xbox Series X and stand featuring foam versions of Deadpool’s trusty katanas, Bea and Arthur, and two Xbox Wireless Controllers. For further details, check out the official sweepstakes terms and conditions .

For additional content, fans can tune in to Twitch Xbox on July 22 for the official live broadcast from the “Deadpool & Wolverine” red carpet premiere. Fans won’t want to miss this star-studded event! Fans can win prizes that even Wolverine will be keen to sink his claws into.

About Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine”:

Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” delivers the ultimate, iconic, cinematic team-up throwdown on July 26.

Shawn Levy directs “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen.

Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D’Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, George Dewey, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and Simon Kinberg serving as executive producers.

Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” is written by Ryan Reynolds & Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick & Zeb Wells & Shawn Levy. 

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• Names: evidence to change a name: caseworker guidance
• HM Passport Office

Names: evidence to change a name (accessible)

Updated 5 March 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/names-evidence-to-change-a-name/names-evidence-to-change-a-name-accessible

Version 18.0

His Majesty’s Passport Office guidance about the evidence we need before we change an adult or child’s name on a passport

About: Names: evidence to change a name

This guidance tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff about the evidence we need before we can issue a passport to an adult or child who has had a change of name.

You must use this guidance, in line with the:

Names: change of name passport applications guidance (which provides guidance on dealing with adult and child name changes)

Names: name related case notes, system checks and warnings guidance, when dealing with a change of name and what:

you must include in your case notes

system checks you must carry out

If you have any questions about the guidance and your line manager or senior caseworker cannot help you or you think that the guidance has factual errors then email the Guidance team.

If you notice any formatting errors in this guidance (broken links, spelling mistakes and so on) or have any comments about the layout or navigability of the guidance then you can email the Guidance team.

Publication

Below is information on when this version of the guidance was published:

published for Home Office staff on 22 February 2024

Changes from last version of this guidance

This guidance has been updated to clarify customers must submit 2 pieces of evidence when changing their name, unless it meets our exceptions.

Change of name evidence

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff what evidence we need before we issue a passport in an adult or child’s new name. It also explains about exceptions when we do not need evidence.

Before we issue a passport in a new name, we need evidence to show an adult or child has changed their name. Unless it meets our exceptions, we need evidence that the customer:

has changed their name (see evidence that shows the customer has changed their name )

uses their new name for all official purposes (see evidence that shows the customer uses the new name for all official purposes )

We will not issue a passport, when there are doubts or inconsistencies between the name on the customer’s passport application and their supporting documents (see Names: aligning names on foreign documents guidance). If the customer cannot give acceptable evidence, you (the examiner), must tell them:

you cannot issue a passport, until they have given us the evidence we need to issue them a passport in their new name

they must provide us with the evidence we need within the timescales, in line with the withdrawal of passport applications guidance

Exceptions: when we do not need full change of name evidence

There are some occasions when we only need evidence a customer has changed their name or evidence they use the name for all official purposes.

When we only need evidence of a change of name

Customers only need to send us evidence of a change of name , if their name has changed, because:

they have changed their surname, as they have married or entered into a civil partnership and provided their marriage or civil partnership certificate (you must refer to Name: change of name passport applications when dealing with name changes, as you may need other evidence depending on the change)

they are about to marry or enter into a civil partnership and want to apply for a post-dated passport in their future name

they have changed gender and provided a full Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC)

a child has changed their name and their parents have reregistered their birth and have a new birth certificate

a child has been adopted in the UK and their application is supported by a full adoption certificate

However, you must ask the customer for evidence that they use their new name for all official purposes , if:

you have doubts that they are not using their new name

they married or entered into a civil partnership, before they were issued with a naturalisation or registration certificate (so their naturalisation or registration certificate will be in their previous name)

When we only need evidence of name in use

The customer only needs to give us 2 pieces of evidence that shows they use their new name for all official purposes , (see Names: change of name passport applications guidance) when:

• there is a minor change to an adult name
• the customer requests their passport is issued in the name shown in section 17 of their full UK birth certificate (if the application is for a child you must also have consent from everyone with parental responsibility (see Parental responsibility: when changing a child’s name))

When we need additional evidence for overseas applications

Customers applying from overseas, who have also changed their name, must send extra evidence, depending on the country:

they apply from

the evidence was issued in

This is in line with the threat assessment of overseas passport applications guidance

Child change of name: parental consent

In addition to the evidence that shows a child has changed their name and that they use the new name for all official purposes, we also need the consent of everyone with parental responsibility in order to change a child’s name. You must refer to Names: change of name passport applications, for what you must consider when checking parental responsibility.

Child change of name: court orders

We will not accept a court order as evidence of a change of name, if it only refers to a child’s new name (it is not confirmation of a change of name). We still need evidence the child has changed their name and that they use the new name for all official purposes.

We will accept a court order as evidence of a change of name if it gives authority to change it. We still need evidence of the change of name (unless the court order specifically shows the change of name) and evidence they use the new name for all official purposes.

Evidence that shows the customer has changed their name

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff about the types of evidence we will accept that shows the customer has changed their name.

Evidence the customer sends us to show their name has changed, must be:

an original document

a replacement document

We will also accept:

a certified copy issued by the Registry Office (GRO)

a photocopy of a document sent by Local Services, as long the officer confirms it is a true likeness of the original document

Change of name evidence: laminated documents

We do not accept laminated evidence (documents sealed in plastic) to change a name, unless it’s a change of name passport application and the evidence is, a:

change of name deed

marriage certificate

a civil partnership certificate

Scanning change of name evidence

If you are dealing with an application on AMS, you must refer to scanning supporting documents to check what documents you must permanently record on the system.

If you are dealing with an application on DAP, the documents sent by the customer will already be scanned, validated and stored on the system by the Document Management Service (DMS) or Document Handling Unit (DHU).

Evidence showing the link between the old and new names

The evidence the customer uses to show they have changed their name, must show the link between their old and new name (for example, a marriage certificate showing their maiden name and their married name).

We will not accept the evidence if it does not show a clear link between the old and new names.

If the customer has multiple changes to their name, they must provide evidence for each change of name that shows links back to:

their birth, adoption, naturalisation or registration certificate (if it’s their first application for a passport)

the name on their last passport (if it’s a renewal or replacement application)

Evidence to show the customer has changed their name

The type of evidence we will accept that shows the customer has changed their name, include:

marriage certificates

civil partnership certificates

Post-Date form 2 (PD2)

gender recognition certificates (GRCs)

enrolled deed poll

unenrolled deed poll

adoption order or certificate

act of Parliament

statutory declarations

birth certificate (when re-registering)

Scottish birth certificates

certificate from the Court of the Lord Lyon of Scotland

Evidence: marriage and civil partnership certificates

A civil partnership certificate is similar to a marriage certificate. The marriage or civil partnership certificate is evidence of the event and who took part in it.

We accept marriage and civil partnership certificates as evidence of a change of name, as long as it shows the link between the old name and new name .

You must refer to Names: change of name passport applications guidance, when dealing with a name change because the customer has married or entered into a civil partnership, as we may need other evidence, depending on what’s changed.

Marriage: Islamic marriage certificates

You must deal with Islamic marriage certificates in line with the marriage guidance and accept them as evidence of a change of name, when the marriage took place:

outside the UK (as long as the certificate shows the marriage took place in an Islamic country)

The country profile section of Knowledge Base tells you if the country follows Islamic law. If you have any doubts, you must raise a guidance query.

Marriage: customers who get married onboard a ship

Under maritime law, customers may get married onboard a ship. You may identify a customer was married onboard a ship from their marriage certificate, which will show the:

name of the ship and it’s official number

position of the ship (latitude and longitude)

If the customer sends you their official marriage or civil partnership certificate, you must accept it and deal with it in line with this guidance.

You must not accept the marriage celebration certificate that tour operators supply because these are not official marriage certificates. The customer must register their marriage with the relevant authorities to get an official, legal marriage certificate. It it the customer’s responsibility to check:

if the marriage is legally recognised

where they must register their marriage to have it legally recognised (if it is not done for them by the tour operator)

Change of name evidence: PD2 form

Customers marrying or entering into a civil partnership may apply for a post-dated passport, before their ceremony. A post-dated passport is a passport:

we issue in the customer’s new name before their ceremony

is only valid from the date of the ceremony

Customers and the person performing the ceremony must complete a PD2 form.

Change of name evidence: divorce documents

We do not accept divorce documents on their own, as evidence that the customer has changed their name. This is because divorce documents issued in England and Wales since 1971, no longer show the link between the current name and the old name.

Marriage certificates are handed to courts as part of the divorce proceedings and are only returned to the customer, if they ask for it. If the customer does not have their certificate, they will need to provide an official copy, which they can get from the General Register Office (or the registrar of the country they got married in).

You must refer to Names: change of name passport applications guidance, when a customer changes their name because they have divorced (as it tells you what evidence they must provide, depending on what has changed).

Change of name evidence: UK enrolled deed polls

Enrolled deed polls are deed polls that have been voluntarily enrolled in the central office of the Supreme Court of Judicature in the UK. You must accept them as evidence of a change of name.

Enrolled deed polls must still be supported with evidence the customer uses the name for all official purposes.

See, Changing a child’s name, where an enrolled deed poll issued by the Supreme Court or High Court has been sent as evidence for a child’s change of name.

Change of name evidence: overseas enrolled deed polls

You must accept deed polls enrolled in overseas courts, as evidence of a change of name. If you have doubts about the enrolled deed poll, you must:

• check Knowledge Base for examples of change of name deeds for the country who issued it

raise a query with Guidance & Quality, Operating Standards using the QuESt referral process, if you need advice on how to deal with the application

Change of name evidence: deed polls and change of name deeds

Unenrolled deed polls are deed polls that have not been enrolled. Unenrolled deed polls and change of name deeds are the same thing. They:

are legal documents that allow the customer (or a family) to change their name, (which is bound by a contract)

have not been endorsed by the central office of the Supreme Court of Judicature

must be signed by a witness (the witness does not need to be a solicitor or a commissioner for oaths)

can be done online

can be drawn up by the customer themselves

You must accept them as evidence of a change of name, as long as:

it is signed in the old and new name

it is signed by a witness

all signatures are a wet signature

it is dated

there are no doubts about how genuine they are, if the unenrolled or change of name deeds was done online

You must tell the customer to send a new deed poll or change of name deed if:

• it has not been signed in both the old and new name or by a witness
• it does not have a wet signature
• if it is not dated
• you have doubts about how genuine it is

Overseas deed polls

There is no legal requirement for an overseas deed poll to be enrolled. You must accept an overseas deed poll as evidence of a change of name. If you have doubts about the deed poll, you must:

• raise a guidance query if you need advice on how to deal with the application

Online deed polls and change of name deeds

As customers can get an unenrolled deed poll or change of name deed online, you must not make any inappropriate comments about the:

unenrolled deed poll or change of name deed

company who issued the unenrolled deed poll or change of name deed

Unenrolled deed poll or change of name deed: family

You must accept unenrolled deed polls or change of name deeds issued on behalf of a family. The customer does not need to be named on the unenrolled deed poll or change of name deed, as long as they provide evidence that shows the relationship between them and the person who is making the change.

Change of name evidence: adoption certificates and orders

When dealing with an application for a customer who is adopted, you must refer to the adoptions guidance.

You must accept adoption certificates as evidence that a child has changed their name.

If an adoption certificate has not yet been issued, you must accept adoption orders that show the full new name, as evidence that the child has changed their name.

You must check that the adoption order is the true authorisation that grants the adoption under section 12 of the Adoption Act 1976 and must not accept:

a freeing of adoption order, under section 18 of the Adoption Act 1976

an interim adoption order, under section 25 of the Adoption Act 1976

Overseas adoption orders do not confirm nationality (see adoptions – overseas adoptions). However, you must accept adoption orders issued by the appropriate overseas issuing authority as evidence of change of name, as long as they show the full details of the new name.

You must not accept a change to a child’s name without the courts consent or the consent of everyone with parental responsibility, when both:

a placement order has been granted, under section 19 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002

the child has been placed with the potential adopters

A passport can be issued in the child’s new name when:

a child is subject to an interim order made in:

England and Wales under section 25 of the Adoption Act 1976

Northern Ireland under article 26 of the Adoption (NI) Order 1987

Scotland under section 25 of the Adoption (Scotland) act 1978

one of the customers (who was granted with parental responsibility or parental responsibilities and parental rights by an interim order) gives us consent

You must be aware, when we issue a passport to a customer who has an interim adoption order, we restrict the validity of the passport to the period shown in the order (see adoptions guidance).

Certificates from the court of the Lord Lyon of Scotland

Anyone who wants to change their name can ask the Lord Lyon to recognise the change of name. You must accept this as evidence of a change of name.

Change of name evidence: Acts of Parliament

Although it is not likely, a customer may seek an Act of Parliament to change their name. The details will be recorded on the UK Parliament Hansard site and we can use this as evidence of the change of name.

When this happens, you must raise a guidance query QuESt will decide if you can use the Act of Parliament as evidence of a change of name.

Change of name evidence: statutory declaration

A statutory declaration is a written statement witnessed by a:

a notary of the public

a justice of the peace

a commissioner for oaths

a councillor (applies only to Scotland, if the document is dated on or after 10 December 2007)

an officer of the armed services, as long as their rank is either a:

lieutenant commander

squadron leader or above

another qualified person authorised by law to administer an oath, for example a British diplomat or overseas consular officer

The person witnessing the declaration may expect a fee for the service, including consular officials. If they do, the customer must pay for it.

HM Passport Office officers are not allowed to witness a statutory declaration and it is an offence to make a false one, punishable through the courts.

When you must accept a statutory declaration

You must accept statutory declarations as evidence to change a name, as long as it is signed in the new name and includes the legal statement:

‘I [name] do solemnly and sincerely declare that / as follows….. and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835’

If it does not include the legal statement or it is signed in the old name only, you must not accept it. The customer must send us another one instead.

Statutory declarations from commonwealth countries

You must accept statutory declarations from commonwealth countries , as long as it meets the regulations of that country, which can be found on the country’s official government site.

Specimen statutory declarations

Each application processing centre (APC) has access to specimen statutory declarations. You can give these to the customer to help make sure their statutory declaration is correct.

Change of name evidence: affidavits

An affidavit is a written statement from a person who has sworn it to be true and is signed by:

the person making the oath

a notary public or other judicial officer who administered the oath

You must accept affidavits in the same way you accept statutory declarations , as long it’s signed, dated and the wording of the oath, includes:

details of the customer’s change of name

the old and new name

The false swearing of an affidavit is an offence, punishable under the Perjury Act .

If you suspect the customer’s affidavit is not genuine, you must refer the application to the Counter Fraud team.

Overseas equivalent of statutory declarations and affidavits

You must accept overseas equivalents of statutory declarations or affidavits as evidence to change a name, as long as:

there are no concerns with the authenticity of the document

Knowledge Base confirms the country allows a change of name

Birth certificates after re-registration

In some cases, a child’s name can be changed by re-registering the birth. When this happens, you do not need any other evidence of a change of name (see birth certificates – re-registration of births).

Change of name evidence: Scottish birth certificates

Customers born (or adopted) in Scotland, can officially change their name by applying to the National Records of Scotland . They will be given a new Scottish birth certificate showing their:

You must accept the Scottish birth certificate as evidence of a change of name

Full and interim Gender Recognition Certificates

Some passport applications may include a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) with their application.

A full GRC is given to customers who are 18 or over, by the Gender Recognition Panel and is confirmation that a change of gender is legally recognised in the UK.

An interim GRC is given to customers who are 18 or over who meet the requirements for their change of gender to be recognised but cannot be legally recognised, until they end their current marriage or civil partnership. We accept interim GRCs as evidence the customer intends to live in the new gender permanently.

Children do not get GRCs, as they are only given to customers aged 18 or over.

You must refer to Names: change of name passport applications guidance, when dealing with an adult or child who has changed their name as they have changed gender, to check what evidence and consent you need.

Evidence the new name is used for all official purposes

This section tells His Majesty’s Passport Office operational staff about the types of evidence a customer can use to show they use their new name for all official purposes.

Using the name for all official purposes, means the customer uses it to go about their daily lives. For example, they can show they are using their name with their bank, employer or local authority.

For UK applications, we will be satisfied a customer uses the name for all official purposes, if they provide us with 1 piece of evidence that shows they do. They do not need to send evidence that they have changed their name with every agency they have contact with. There are some exceptions when we may need more than 1 piece of evidence or none at all.

For overseas applications from:

group 1 and group 2 countries - customers must provide 1 piece of evidence that shows they use the name for all purposes

group 3 countries - customers must provide 3 pieces of evidence that shows they use the name for all purposes

Evidence we’ll accept to show customer uses their name

Customers must send us evidence to show they use their name for all official purposes.

The following evidence must be issued within the last 12 months:

tax records (for example, a letter from the tax authority)

employment records (for example, an official letter from their employer)

educational records (for example, a school report)

a letter from a central, regional or local government department

a visa or residence permit

a medical or health card

a voters card

a bank statement (UK applications only)

a baptismal or confirmation certificate

child benefit records

a utility bill

The following evidence can be more than 12 months old but must be valid for use and issued after any change of name document and the British passport being renewed or replaced:

a UK or overseas driving license

a foreign passport

a national identity card (or something similar)

The group 1 , group 2 and group 3 document tables also show you what you can accept for overseas applications.

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