Divorce

Use this to change your name by one of two methods - deed poll or statutory declaration. You may have been using your new name for some time, but wish now to formally acknowledge your change of name, or you may wish to be known by your new name from this day forward. Guidance is included to help you choose which method is right for you.

Note that although you can use this to create a valid deed poll, it's not suitable if you plan to enrol (i.e. register) it with the Royal Courts of Justice.

You can only use this to change the name of someone aged 16 or over.

You can use this to change the name of your child (i.e. someone under the age of 18) by deed poll. The child must be a British or Commonwealth citizen who lives permanently in the UK.

To use this, you need to have parental responsibility for the child. If there is another person who also has parental responsibility, they must agree to the name change. You can't use it if there are 2 or more other people with parental responsibility.

Note that although you can use this to create a valid deed poll, it's not suitable if you plan to enrol (i.e. register) it with the Royal Courts of Justice. Enrolment often isn't necessary, but may be in some situations.

If your child is aged 16 or over, they must agree to the change of name by signing in both their new and old names. Note that if they're 16 or 17 and are (or have been) married or in a civil partnership, you'll no longer have parental responsibility for them.

Changing your name means you have to update all your official documents and records to show your new name, e.g. passport, driver's licence, bank accounts, insurance policies, voter's registration, etc. To do this they'll need evidence of your change of name. A statutory declaration is a formal document confirming that you are changing your name and will only use your new name(s) in future. Institutions should accept a statutory declaration as evidence of your name change.

To use this document you must be 16 or over, and must have it signed by a Notary Public.

Note that you don't need to use this document if:

• you want to update your birth certificate (apply direct to the National Records of Scotland instead)
• your name has changed following marriage/civil partnership or divorce/dissolution
  
  

In Scotland, if you need to change your child's name, you'd normally do so by applying direct to the National Records of Scotland for the name to be changed on the birth certificate. This statutory declaration isn't necessary for that process, but it can give you extra documentary evidence of the name change. This might be helpful when telling schools, GPs and other institutions.

Alternatively, this document is useful if you don't want to change the birth certificate, or haven't yet done it and need evidence in the meantime.

To use this document:

• The child must be under 16
• Everyone with parental responsibilities and rights for the child must agree to the name change
• It must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public