Adult Application Form

for

Change of Name Deed

Buckinghamshire Registration Service

County Hall

Walton Street

Aylesbury

HP20 1XF

Application to change your name by Change of Name Deed

Please read these guidance notes before completing the application form. Additional guidelines are also available on the Buckinghamshire County Council website.

What is a Change of Name Deed (Deed Poll) document?

In the UK, anyone may change their name if they want to. If you do change your name (unless it is through marriage or civil partnership - see below for more information) many official bodies such as the passport agency, banks and building societies mayrequest an official document to prove that a name has been changed.

If you decide to change your name through Buckinghamshire Registration Service, you will be provided with adocument which will help evidence your change of name.

You will have to sign and date your Change of Name Deed, and it also needs to be witnessed.

IMPORTANT:A Change of Name Deed does not replace a birth certificate. For all official purposes the Deed would need to accompany a birth certificate i.e. for obtaining a passport in the newly adopted name. In addition, please note different organisations may have their own internal policies as to what evidence they require for a change of name. Buckinghamshire Registration Service cannot confirm whether an organisation’s policy may require further proof of a Change of Name.

Please note if you wish to put your new name on public record you will have to “enrol” it at the Royal Courts of Justice and complete different government forms, information on how to do this can be found here - .

What can I change my name to?

By Change of Name Deed, you can officially change any part or your entire name. For example, you can change your forenames, surname (or both), add names, remove names, and change the spelling of your names. You can change your name by Change of Name Deed as often as you want, at any time and for any reason provided it is not for deceptive or fraudulent purposes.

When deciding on your chosen name, the new name must not be rude or offensive neither can it be used to create the impression of an inherited or awarded title such as Sir, Lord, Lady, Duke or Duchess, His/ Her Royal Highness etc. nor be chosen with the intent to defraud, it cannot include symbols or numbers.

Marriage and Civil Partnership

If you have married or entered into a civil partnership and wish to take the surname of your spouse, you do not have to complete an official change of name deed. However, you should contact the passport office, and all other institutions such as banks and building societies and the DVLA to let them know you have changed your name. Your marriage or civil partnership certificate is your proof of change of name.

If you intend to be married abroad, overseas authorities will wish to see both your passport and your birth certificate. If the passport and the birth certificate show different names, then you will need to prove that you have changed your name and that you are the same person. This is when you may be required to produce your Change of Name Deed.

If you have divorced or are widowed and you no longer want to be known by your former spouse’s surname, you have the option to revert to your previous name, but if you chose to change to another name or if an organisation requests it, you will need to complete an official Change of Name Deed.

Do I need a Witness?

Yes, you will need to bring someone with you who can act as your witness.

Your witness must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be known to you but be independent of you (not related to you byblood or marriage, adoption or surrogacy)
  • Not live at the same address as you
  • Be able to speak and read English

How long does it take?

At the end of the appointment, which will take approximately 45 minutes we will issue you with your new Change of Name Deed.

What documents are required?

Once the appointment has been booked please bring the following documents with you:

  • Your passport(s)OR two other forms of ID if you have no passport, for example,ID showing proof of signature if you do not have a passport e.g. driving license or ID showing your photographAND
  • Your standard Full Birth Certificate(s)
  • A Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate (if applicable)
  • Death certificate of spouse/partner OR Decree Absolute OR Dissolution Document of Civil partnership (if applicable)

How much does it cost?

A single appointment fee is £50 and you will be issued with one Change of Name Deed document. Additional Change of Name Deed documentswill be charged at £10 each. Additional Change of Name Deeds can only be issued at the time of appointment and will not be available once the appointment has ended.

PLEASE NOTE:Remember to practice your new signature in advance because you will need to sign the Change of Name Deed in both your old and new names.

Buckinghamshire County Council is not responsible for registering your Change of Name Deed on the Enrolment Book of the Supreme Court of Judicature. Further guidance on registering your Change of Name Deed and the documentation required to register your Change of Name Deed can be found at

Buckinghamshire County Council is not responsible for verifying any documents you produce as evidence of your citizenship status.

IF YOU ARE READY TO APPLY, please complete the application form and either deliver it by hand or post it to the Buckinghamshire Register Office, County Hall, Walton Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1XF. We will then phone you to book an appointment. The fee of £50 will be taken over the phone to confirm your booking. You will have to attend the appointment with the required documents and your witness.

CHANGE OF NAME DEED APPLICATION FOR AN ADULT

Current FORENAME(S):
Current SURNAME(S):
Please state any other names you have been known by or are currently using:
New FORENAME(S) (even if no changes):
New SURNAME(S) (even if no changes):
Your current Address:
Nationality:
Date of Birth:
Telephone number(s):
Gender:Male □ Female □
Please state which documents you will be bringing with you:

I [do/do not] wish to enrol my Change of Name Deed in the Enrolment Book of the Supreme Court of Judicature (delete as applicable).

I have been baptised Christian and intend to change my Christian name and I [do/do not] wish to enrol it in the Enrolment Book of the Supreme Court of Judicature (delete as applicable).

I declare that I have given due consideration to the legal consequences of changingmy name and understand that any such consequences come about as the result ofmy own actions and are taken at my own risk. I confirm that these details are trueand accurate.

Signature (Former Name)……………………………………………………...…………………….……

Signature (New Name)………………………………………………………………………….…...……

Date……………………………………………..………