Distraught after Divorce & Looking To Change Your Name? Read This!
Divorce can take a toll on your mental health. You can be occupied dealing with all the feelings and inner emotions. You may also want to disassociate with your partner completely, including changing your name.
However, you must ensure that you’re not stressing yourself in the process. If you are looking to change the name during the divorce process, you can do so by ordering a deed poll.
Not sure what that is? We’ve got you covered. This article covers everything about deed polls that will help you change your name legally with much ease .
Read on.
What Is A Deed Poll?
Simply put, a deed poll is a legal document filed by a person to change their name in all the public and private documents. You need to take a set of steps to ensure your name has been changed and updated in the government records.
Is there an official Deed Poll website?
No, there isn’t an official website. All specialist Deed Poll websites are operated by privately-owned companies. This is because changing your name by Deed Poll is a legal undertaking, like signing a Last Will & Testament, for instance. Hence, you can go to reputable online specialists or high street law firms to get a deed poll made. Private-sector competition is the reason for the variation in price between each website.
Legal vs Photocopies: what works?
Government Departments and a lot of other organisations won’t accept a photocopy of your Deed Poll. So it’s advisable to order several legal copies if you have lots of organisations to contact.
Ordering legal copies will also save your time, and you won’t have to repeat the same ordering step every time. It also means that you will have spares in case one should become lost or damaged.
We recommend that you keep one copy with a trusted friend or relative as a backup. Please note that these are legal copies are high-quality duplicate originals and not photocopies. You will need to sign, witness and date each one that you order.
Will The Deed Poll Name Change Be Accepted By The Passport Office?
Yes, absolutely. The deed poll name change is universally accepted by all UK Government Departments, companies and organisations, including the identity and Passport Service (IPS), DVLA, HMRC etc., So, do not worry. You will be able to change your official documents like your Passport and Driving Licence and amend your National Insurance record, bank account and other records.
What To Do After Receiving a Deed Poll?
You need to sign your Deed Poll, once for your old name, and once for your new name. You need to date your Deed Poll on the last paragraph and have your signature witnessed by a person over 18. (This is known as ‘executing’ your Deed Poll).
If you’re ordering a deed poll for your child after divorce, it must be signed by either the mother or the father. The witness must be over 18 and should not be related to the person named on the Deed Poll or live at the same address.
Please note: The witness DOES NOT need to be a professional, i.e. a Solicitor or Doctor. Typically, people use a friend, neighbour or work colleague as their witnesses.
What To Look For Before Ordering A Deed Poll Online?
- Approved by Trading Standards
- Registered Data Controller
- Should offer Great value, fast, friendly and professional service
- More than 100+ positive reviews online
- Large customer base
- Must have a physical office you can visit
Final Word
You need to be fully aware of the name change process after the divorce to avoid any inconvenience in the future. This article on changing your name legally will hopefully help.
