Divorce

This document will allow you 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.

If you choose the deed poll option, you can choose to register (‘enrol’) this document with the Royal Courts of Justice. This document will provide the necessary documentation and guidance you need to do this.

You can only use this document if you are 16 years or older.

You can use this to change the name of your child (i.e. under the age of 18), provided that you have parental responsibility for that child. You can't use this document if there is more than one other person with parental responsibility, or if there is only one other person with parental responsibility for but they don't agree to the name change.

This document is only suitable for children who are British (or Commonwealth) citizens and permanently resident in the UK. If your child is aged 16 or over, they'll also need to agree to the change of name by signing in both their new and old names.

Note that if your child is 16 or 17 and are (or has been) married or in a civil partnership, you'll no longer have parental responsibility for that child and you can't use this document.

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