How do I Change my Name?

Once you have decided to change your name, you can use the new name for all purposes, for example, publishing marriage bans, legal proceedings and obtaining, or changing details on a driving licence or passport.

Although there is no legal procedure to be followed, many authorities and bodies will require some evidence that you have changed your name.

In the case of a marriage or Civil Partnership, the marriage certificate will serve for this purpose. Equally when getting divorced many women choose to revert to their maiden name and the Decree nisi or Decree absolute would act as proof to the change of name.

What If I just want to change my name?

There are several methods of evidencing your chosen change of name, which one to use will depend of the body requesting the evidence. Setfords can assist with all of the following:

Letter

A letter from a responsible person, such as a GP, solicitor, minister, priest or MP, is often accepted as evidence that you have changed your name. The letter will state that the person has known you in both names and that the change of name is to be used for all purposes.

This service is only available to past clients of the firm where we have acted for the party who wishes us to confirm their change of name.

Please note: A letter is not sufficient evidence for a passport application.

Public announcement

A less common method of evidencing your change of name is by placing an advert in a local or national newspaper. The advert should state that you have stopped using your previous name and have adopted a new one. The advantage of this method is that you can produce a copy of the newspaper as evidence of the change along with the date on which it occurred.

Setfords is able to assist clients with the preparation of the notice, however our fees do not include the newspapers fees for running the notice which can be very high.

Statutory Declaration

For most purposes, a statutory declaration is generally accepted as evidence of your change of name.

Setfords can prepare a statutory Declaration stating that you wish to cease using your old name and assume the adopted one from that day forward. We charge a flat fee for this of £50+VAT.

In addition to our costs the Statutory declaration will need to be witnessed by an independent solicitor who will charge £5.  Once witnessed Setfords will provide you with two certified copies of the Statutory Declaration for you to use. Further copies can be provided at a cost of £2 each.

Deed poll

The most famous method of evidencing your change of name is by Deed (known as Deed Poll) The Deed formally records your change of name and is the most stringent of the above methods. Despite its fame a Deed Poll will not be required by most people. You may need a Deed Poll if you belong to a professional Body or certain organizations who will only accept Deed Poll as evidence of the change of name.

Setfords can prepare the Deed Poll for you and witness the execution of the deed. Our costs for this are £75+VAT. we will provide you with two certified copies of the deed with further certified copies availalbe at a cost of £5 each


Changing a Childs Name

As with adults a child’s name can be changed at any time, provided it is not to deceive or defraud another person. Again there is no legal formality for changing the name however evidence may be required for certain purposes.

In order to change a child’s name for purposes such as passports, doctors, Schools etc. the consent of all parties with parental responsibility is required.

We are able to assist clients with the preparation of evidence of change of name for a child on the basis of all parties being in agreement. Please note that additional charges apply.

If you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail please contact Delfin Posada on 01306 884432.