Change your name by Deed Poll

In the UK anyone can change their name if they want to.

If you do change your name, many official bodies may request a Deed Poll (also called a ‘Change of Name Deed’) to prove the change.

You must check before using this service, that a Change of Name Deed issued by the Register Office will be accepted by the organisation requiring evidence of your change of name.

Application process

1. Complete the application form

Email register.headoffice@leeds.gov.uk for an adult or under 16 deed poll application form.

2. Proving your identity

Along with the completed application form, you'll need to provide evidence of your identity.

When you book your appointment we'll ask you to bring along at least one of the following documents for each applicant:

  • Current valid passport
  • Birth certificate showing the name which is to be changed
  • Proof of current address dated within the last three months for example: driving licence, bank statement, council tax or utility bill
  • Marriage or Civil Partnership certificate
  • Decree Absolute or Civil Partnership dissolution
  • Late spouse or civil partner’s death certificate
  • Court Order or Parental Responsibility Order
  • Naturalisation certificate
  • Photographic ID

All documents provided must be originals (not photocopies) and will be returned to you after we have completed your Deed Poll.

3. Book an appointment

Phone

0113 222 4408
(Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, except Wednesdays when we're open from 10am)

Request a call back by email:

register.headoffice@leeds.gov.uk

4. Pay the fee

A single Deed Poll will cost £50. Additional deeds within the same application (for example relating to other family members) will cost £25 each.

You will be able to buy extra copies of a Deed Poll, costing £25, at any time within 10 years of the date of the original deed.


Our fees are subject to increase on 1 January each year.

Leeds Register Office will keep a copy of your Deed Poll in our records, in case you need a duplicate in future.

All appointments are held at:

Merrion House,
Woodhouse Lane,
Leeds,
LS2 8LX

Birth and marriage certificates

Changing your name by Deed Poll cannot amend or replace a legal birth or marriage certificate. You will need to present the Deed Poll with these certificates when you’re asked for them, for example when applying for a passport.

Restrictions

By using our Deed Poll service you can change any part or all of your name, but there are some restrictions. You cannot change your name with us if you:

  • are under 16
  • are not a British National
  • plan to do something illegal such as commit fraud
  • want to call yourself something vulgar, offensive, blasphemous, or similarly unsuitable
  • want to add a title such as Sir, Lord, Lady, Duke, or Duchess
  • want to add symbols, numbers or punctuation marks

We reserve the right to refuse to change your name to something we consider inappropriate.

Further information

If you have any further questions about our Deed Poll service, please contact us:

Phone

0113 222 4408
(Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, except Wednesdays when we're open from 10am)

Request a call back by email:

register.headoffice@leeds.gov.uk

Information we may collect about you

The council has a statutory duty to register births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships and to administer citizenship services on behalf of the Home Office. Your information will only be used to assist us with your registration appointment and/or ceremony or your copy certificate application. We will not share this information with anyone else unless we are required to do so by law. Please see our privacy policy for further information on how we process your personal data.