Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what legal status is granted to non-enrolled deed poll; and which Government agencies recognise non-enrolled deed poll changes.

It is a well-established right within the common law of England and Wales that an individual may change their given or family name freely, for example by marriage. If a person uses a new name and becomes known by that name, the name is considered legally altered.

Whilst there are no legal formalities needed to change one’s name, many organisations will require some form of proof that the change has occurred. This proof might take various forms; however, in practice, many people prove their name change by signing an unenrolled change of name deed. If this deed is properly prepared and executed it is a legally valid document and is usually sufficient evidence of the name change for all purposes, including applications to Government agencies.

A name change made to deceive or defraud another person or organisation, such as the Probation Service or Police, is not legally valid and constitutes a serious criminal offence.