Get Legal Help to Change Your Name

There are many reasons why people might want to change their name. Getting expert legal advice at the outset can make the process quicker and easier. 

How Do I Change My Name?

If you are over 16 in the UK, you are free to change any part of your name, including your first name, middle names, and surname, at any time. If you wish to enroll the deed with the Royal Courts of Justice, you must be over 18.

In order to prepare a change of name deed, our team will need to know the following:

  • Your existing full name;
  • Your proposed new name;
  • Full address;
  • Marital status; and
  • Nationality.

Samuels Solicitors LLP charge a fixed fee of £175 plus VAT to prepare a change of name deed and provide you with certified copies of the deed to present to the relevant organisations (such as the passport office, DVLA, banks and building societies etc.) so they can update their records, which is usually satisfactory.

If you choose to enroll the deed with the Royal Courts of Justice, then our fixed fee for drafting the deed and accompanying documents is only £300 plus VAT plus an enrolment fee of around £42 which is payable to the Court. You will need to tell us whether you wish to enroll the change of name deed when you instruct us.

The enrolment process includes obtaining a statutory declaration from a person who has known you for 10 years or more. This person must not be related to you, they must be a Commonwealth or British citizen and a home owner. This statutory declaration will need to be sworn as an oath by another solicitor and the fee for this is usually £5-10. An application for a notice in the London Gazette is also required, and we will deal with this for you.

If you want to change your name, we will make the process quick and simple for you. Why not contact us today to see how we can help?

 

How Can I Change My Child's Name?

If you wish to legally change your child's name, you can use the Deed Poll process if you have either:

•             the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility; or

•             a court order.

A mother automatically has parental responsibility and a father has parental responsibility if he’s either married to the child’s mother or is named on the birth certificate. The situation can be a little more complex if either of the child's parents has remarried.

We charge a fixed fee for drafting the application and accompanying documents for enrolment with the Royal Courts of Justice, of £375 plus VAT plus the Court's fee.

In order to prepare the deed poll application, we will need to know the following:

•             Your child’s existing full name and new name, age and nationality;

•             Reason for change of name;

•             Full details of both parents (including whether you are married, separated or divorced); and

•             A copy of any court order (if already obtained).

The enrolment process for a child’s change of name deed includes preparing an affidavit of best interest which must state the reason why it is in the child’s best interest to change their name, and obtaining a statutory declaration from a person who must state how long they have known you (which must be for no less than 10 years) and also how long they have known your child. This person must not be related to you, they must be a Commonwealth or British citizen and a home owner. This affidavit must be sworn before another solicitor, and the fee for this is usually £5-10. An application for a notice in the London Gazette is also required, and we will deal with this for you.

If you want to change your child's name, we will make the process quick and simple for you. If you need help, contact us today.