A Deed Poll is a form of legal contract that concerns one person (and it is only signed by that person). A Deed Poll binds the person who signs it to aparticular course of action as detailed on the Deed Poll document.

Deed Polls have one generally accepted meaning, that is, a change of name. By executing the Deed Poll (signing, dating and having your signing witnessed) you are committing yourself to:

• Abandoning the use of your former name;
• Using your new name only at all times;
• Requiring all persons to address you by your new name

A Deed Poll provides documentary evidence that you have changed your name and that you legally bind yourself to using your new name. It is a formal statement to prove that you have changed your name and it provides you with the necessary documentary evidence of the name by which you wish to be known.

What is the purpose of a Deed Poll?
If you want to get all your documents and records (e.g. your medical records, bank account, credit cards, passport, drivers licence etc) changed to show a new name, you will be asked to produce documentary evidence of your change of name.
A Deed Poll works in the same way as a marriage certificate for a married woman who wishes to take her   husband's surname. She writes to everyone that has her name on records, enclosing her marriage certificate as documentary evidence, and requests that her surname is changed to her husband's. When changing your name by Deed Poll, you simply write to everyone, enclosing your Deed Poll as documentary evidence, and request that your name be changed to the new name shown on the Deed Poll.

With a Deed Poll, you can change your forenames or surname, add names, remove names or rearrange your existing names. You can change your name at any time and for any reason provided it is not to deceive or defraud or to avoid an obligation.

Who can apply for a Deed Poll?
To change your own name by Deed Poll, you must be at least 18 years of age. If you are under 18 years of age, one of your parents can apply for a Deed Poll on your behalf so long as anyone else with parental responsibility consents to your name change.

What do I need to secure a Deed Poll?
If you are 18 years or older and wish to change your name by Deed Poll you can visit or call the Registrar General’s Department. Depending on the nature of your case you may need to provide one or both of the following:

•  A certified copy of your Birth Certificate
• A certified copy of your marriage certificate

It takes at most 10-21 working days to produce Deed Poll. During this time the customer will be required to:

• Visit the Registrar General’s Department and have a copy of the Deed Poll drafted.
• Sign the new name in the presence of a Justice of the Peace.
• Take the document (draft copy) to the Stamp Duty and Transfer Tax Department  to be legally stamped by a government agent.
• Return the stamped document to the Registrar General's Department for recording

Once the above has been completed you will need to return it to the RGD to have it officially recorded. Thereafter, you receive a certified document recording the name change, with your birth certificated attached. It should be noted that after you have obtained a Deed Poll document you should never apply for copies of your Birth Certificate only. You should apply for copies of your Deed Poll document which must always be used along with Birth Certificate.

Deed Polls are processed on the services listed below:

• Express deed polls processed within five to ten days
• Regular service deed polls are processed within twenty one business days.

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