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It’s been 5 years since my deeds came in the post, the process of changing my name was complete. That’s right, I decided to get a name change, I decided to change my first name and my middle name. It was quicker and easier than I thought but it was still a massive deal. I often get asked questions about how, why and pricing etc, so I thought I’d write in a bit more detail about this today. So starting from the beginning, I hated my first and middle name, all through school as I often felt like it was unoriginal and just not me? It’s hard to explain into words what I mean. Changing my name was never about choosing a wild name or to hurt my family, it was something that I wanted to do, so I went for it.
It’s not unusual for us to change our surnames, after marriage or a divorce, but the process of choosing your first name is always one which we obviously don’t have a say in. So I some research and decided to change my name.
The process
Surprisingly the process was easier than expected, after hearing about going down a legal route including Lawyers in the past. deedpoll.org. Who advise you are able to change your own name above the age of 18. To start the process it can be as simple as filling out a form online Then it is simple, once you’ve filled out the form you need to get this signed by a witness and send it off in the post.
What can I change via deed poll?
When it comes to changing your name via deed poll you can change your name for a range of reasons. Some reasons include wanting a fun name,you’ve found another name you prefer or you hate your original. Alongside this reason,it can be done for reasons such as a trans person looking to change their title alongside their name.
DeedPoll.org also advises some people change their name to get the same surname as your child when not married and you can also swap your title (however, this doesn’t actually change your title). You can change all of your names if you want to or even add extras in, it’s pretty cool. However, it’s important to remember it’s a legal document so choose wisely.
How much does a name change cost?
The fee for ordering a deed poll online costs £33 then £13 for the original legal copy of your deed poll, followed by £1 for each legal copy.
The price varies on how many legal copies you’d like, I ordered a bunch of them for sending them off to places like my bank, for bills, the university and for my driving license. Although some places needed the deed poll with the seal on it, most were happy with the copied version.
Postage choice is up to you to choose from, they offer a standard for free or quick postage options such as Priority and Express for an additional fee.
What to do after a name change
First things first, it’s important to remember to disavow this name, by doing so it allows you to then live under your new name.
Make a list detailing all of the places you need to change your name, there was always one I’d end up forgetting, no matter how big or small. If you’re needing to submit your deed poll to a number of places at the same time, find out which ones will accept the copies to allow you to get things done at the same time.
Once your name is registered be sure to do the important stuff, like change your name on Facebook (most important thing…)
Some interesting facts about a name change:
- You can still travel under your old passport as long as travel documents are all under the name that is on the passport.
- Take your deeds everywhere with you, including any job interviews, when applying for a new bank account etc. Some places may ask for this.
- People really do change their names to Cheeseburger, Tyrannosaurus Rex and most recently a couple gave their child the name “@” as it’s something everybody uses and translated into Chinese it means love him. As long your new name doesn’t contain swear words, offensive or encourage hate then you’re good. But be aware, if you’re looking to apply for a passport, you may find this later involves issues and even refusal if you’ve used a name with a swear word in or a religious character.
- You are able to change your name as many times as you like, however, it’s important to remember it’s not something to be taken lightly.
- Finally, be prepared for people to be confused! I’ve been mistaken for being my own sister before, as they knew the surname but the first one didn’t match my previous one.
