What Do I Need to Do After Changing My Name by Deed Poll?
Changing your name by Deed Poll is an important first step — but once your Deed Poll has been completed, you'll usually have a number of organisations and records to update.
Exactly who you need to notify will depend on your circumstances, but having a simple plan can make the process much easier.
Start by making a list
Before contacting organisations, it can help to make a list of everywhere your name is currently recorded.
This might include:
HM Passport Office
DVLA
Banks and building societies
HMRC
Your employer or payroll department
GP and other healthcare providers
Council Tax
Electoral Register
Insurance providers
Pension providers
Utility companies
Schools, colleges or universities
Memberships and subscriptions
You may not need to update everything at once. Working through your list gradually can make the process feel much more manageable.
Check what each organisation requires
Different organisations can have different procedures for changing a name.
Some may ask you to provide your Deed Poll, while others may require additional identification, an application form or another form of evidence.
Before posting any original documents, check the organisation's current requirements and whether they will return them to you.
Which records should I update first?
There isn't necessarily one order that everyone must follow, but many people choose to begin with important official identification and financial records.
For example, you might decide to update your passport or driving licence before moving on to banks, employers and other organisations.
Your own priorities will depend on which documents and services you use.
Keep track of what you've updated
If you have several organisations to notify, it's surprisingly easy to forget which ones you've already contacted.
A simple checklist can help you record:
Who you've notified • When you contacted them • What you sent • Whether your name has been updated
This is particularly useful if you've sent documents through the post and are waiting for them to be returned.
Do I need several original Deed Polls?
Not necessarily.
However, additional originals can be convenient if several organisations require original documentation and you want to deal with more than one update at the same time.
At Trusted Deed Poll, your first Deed Poll costs £15, with additional original copies available for £2 each.
Free guidance from Trusted Deed Poll
Changing your name doesn't end when your Deed Poll arrives.
Trusted Deed Poll provides free online guidance covering many of the organisations you may need to notify, including HM Passport Office, DVLA, banks, HMRC, employers and other commonly updated records.
You can check the requirements relevant to you and work through your name change at your own pace.
Your name. Your choice. Your new chapter.
Trusted Deed Poll — UK Name Change Service
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