Have you been known by a nickname or a shortened version of your first name your whole life? Perhaps "Dave" instead of David, "Liz" instead of Elizabeth, or a completely different preferred name? If you want to make that commonly used name your actual legal name, then yes, a Deed Poll is the way to do it in the UK.
Why Make it Legal? While friends and family might use your preferred name, official bodies and documents (like passports, driving licences, bank accounts, contracts) generally require your legal name. This can cause confusion or inconvenience if the name you use daily doesn't match your official ID. Legally adopting your preferred name via Deed Poll resolves this.
The Deed Poll Process: It works just like any other name change:
- You obtain an Adult Deed Poll (e.g., from Legalmaster™).
- The document declares your current full legal name (e.g., David Smith).
- It then declares your new full legal name, incorporating your preferred name (e.g., Dave Smith). You might change only the first name, or adjust middle/surnames too if desired.
- You sign and have the Deed Poll witnessed correctly.
- You then use this legal document to update all your official records to "Dave Smith".
Important Note: This makes the preferred name your new legal name. You are formally abandoning the old legal first name (David, in this example) for all official purposes. You can't easily switch back and forth legally without another Deed Poll.
If you're tired of the mismatch between the name everyone uses and the name on your official documents, a Deed Poll offers a straightforward solution. Legalmaster™ can help you make your preferred name your legal reality. Contact us on 0333 340 8984 to learn more.
