Expert Answers: Deed Poll and Statutory Declaration Name Changes Online System Launched

A new online system from Expert Answers makes the name change process by Deed Poll or Statutory Declaration even easier than before.

There are several different ways a person can change their name, the most common of which is by obtaining either a Deed Poll or a Statutory Declaration document, both of which are actually very simple and quick to obtain via a new website at www.change-name.co.uk. The process for both is essentially the same up to the point of validating the document once it has been downloaded and printed from the website.

The website guides users through the simple process of creating the document.

There are certain basic facts that must be provided such as the person's current or old name, address, date of birth, and very obviously the new name they wish to be known by. Once the personal data is input the next important choice is whether to use a Deed Poll or Statutory Declaration. Which one the person chooses is determined by how they would like to have the document validated.

With a Deed Poll, validating the document is by signing and dating it in front of two witnesses, who must not be family members, who then also sign and date the document. The name change process is now essentially complete. The user simply shows the document to anyone they need to identify themselves to.

For a Statutory Declaration to become valid, the document must be sworn in front of a qualified person such as a solicitor, barrister or judge. Most people take the document along to their local firm of solicitors who are usually happy to help in this way for a small fixed fee of five pounds. The process is complete when the solicitor signs and then usually stamps the document to confirm the person has sworn an oath confirming the name change. The fact a Statutory Declaration has been signed by a qualified person gives many people an added feeling of security that the process is complete.

If there is a need to change the name of a child aged under eighteen years of age then the process is almost the same apart from the fact the parent's name is included in the document as they are the person changing the child's name. One point that must be confirmed is that the parent has sole responsibility for care of the child if the child was born after December 1st 2003. If the parent does not have sole responsibility for the child they must also produce a letter of consent from the other parent allowing the change of name, along with the name change document whenever they need to prove the identity of the child.

The name change document will be accepted by all UK agencies and businesses, such as the Home Office Identity and Passport Service, HM Revenue and Customs, DVLA, the big four high street banks, The Post Office, utility companies, etc.

For more information and to obtain a name change document please visit the www.change-name.co.uk website.

Contact Information

Expert Answers
Simon Robinson
01512077180
simon@change-name.co.uk
www.change-name.co.uk