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How to change your name?

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Hi all

Does anyone know the best and cheapest way to change your name, legally?

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    you can do it by statutory declaration, most local magistrates courts will do it, can be very cheap, but not everyone accepts it.

    Deed poll should be done only a solicitor, because it can be picked appart by people such as the passport agency and such. And this isn't so cheap...£150 +

    just to let you know, you can't change your first name legally, but you can give yourself any first name, and use that (as long as its not for means of deception).

    choose wisely! it was one of the best things i did, but i didn't have to make a choice, just changed from my father's surname to mother's surname...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    thanks for that quick response - I've been looking on the web for a few days, and have seen a website http://freedeedpoll.co.uk but am unsure if I need it witnessed by a solicitor or not.

    I suppose there is no harm in trying this, i suppose It'll only get regected if its not okay.

    However, if IT IS that simple, I can't understand how some companies charge £150? Wow, that is a lot of money.

    Is there an offical website by the government?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    You can, if you so wish, just start using a new name. No forms, no fees. Of course you have no 'official' change of name this way.

    http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/family/faq_index_family/faq_family_changing_my_name.htm
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    RubberSkin wrote: »
    You can, if you so wish, just start using a new name. No forms, no fees. Of course you have no 'official' change of name this way.

    http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/family/faq_index_family/faq_family_changing_my_name.htm

    ummmm- but most banks and passport people want a deed poll
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    there is a fact page on direct.gov if you look...

    it is very simple, its just that, as far as i am conserned, and i am not anyone in the law proffession, its the witnessing part thats the really important part. They don't know who you are and they have to look at documents and such to make sure that you are who you say you are.

    I have had stat dec's rejected, but my deed poll did fine. But, once your passport, NHS and DWP records have the name changed, you don't need to worry about anything else because everyone accepts letters from these people, or your passport to change your name
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Very true - If I get my passport done first then the rest should be easy :-)

    I'll give that website a go. The wording looks fine and I'm not going to give money away if I can do it for free. Sometimes the web can be a wonderful place :-)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    deed poll printed - now to send off to passport office. fingers crossed :crazyeyes

    Any ideas on funny names? like:

    Ivo Biggun
    Mike Hunt
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Black Adder
    Captain Tokyo
    Ultraman
    The Great Cornholio Herald of The Almighty Bunghole
    Bat Man
    Mister Mister (on forms you would be Mister Mister Mister)
    James Bond
    The Guy With the Big Nose
    Christopher Ulysses Norman Thomas (Always insist on writing your initials on forms)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It's VERY simple and VERY cheap. None of this 'deed poll' bollocks and forget £150, £50 or whatever.

    Copy and paste what is printed at http://www.gorge.org/experiences/deedpoll-wording.shtml substituting the red bits for your details.

    Print it out BUT DO NOT SIGN IT YET.

    Take it along to a solicitor, tell him/her you need it signed. You sign in their presence and they add their autograph to it, along with their business stamp. The solicitor's signature should cost £5, or £10 tops.

    Then you're done.

    Keep the document safe as most places won't accept a photocopy. This is the method I used last year to change my name and it was accepted by 2 banks, the DVLA and the Tax Office.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    How to change your name?

    Visit http://www.changingnames.co.uk
    No need to buy a Deed Poll here but this site has really good FAQ's

    Deed Poll from them costs £10

    Also, have some fun with the Matching Names Game at http://www.matchingnames.co.uk
    You can win a free just-for-fun Deed Poll or buy one for a £1 with an automatic charity donation.
    Pretend to change your name with a just-for-fun Deed Poll and watch your parents faint...
    :eek:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Christopher Ulysses Norman Thomas (Always insist on writing your initials on forms)

    Hahaha! I am so doing this with my kid.

    My friend wants to have a kid called Booby Prize.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    SJBSCHURE wrote: »
    Visit http://www.changingnames.co.uk
    No need to buy a Deed Poll here but this site has really good FAQ's

    Deed Poll from them costs £10

    Also, have some fun with the Matching Names Game at http://www.matchingnames.co.uk
    You can win a free just-for-fun Deed Poll or buy one for a £1 with an automatic charity donation.
    Pretend to change your name with a just-for-fun Deed Poll and watch your parents faint...
    :eek:

    Yeah well ignore all that, my method above is cheaper and better.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    red_star wrote: »
    deed poll printed - now to send off to passport office. fingers crossed :crazyeyes

    Any ideas on funny names? like:

    Ivo Biggun
    Mike Hunt

    Agent Smith. It must be done.
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