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Reviewed by Mark Keenan, Founder and CEO, Online Legal Services Limited · Last updated 22 October 2026
What’s the difference between a deed poll and an enrolled deed poll?
A deed poll does not need to be registered anywhere to be valid. You can choose to enrol it, which means it is recorded by the courts and your name change is published in The Gazette.
What does enrolling a deed poll mean?
Enrolling your deed poll means making your name change public. It provides a public record of your name change and your details at that time.
Enrolment is a voluntary process and is not required to make a name change legal.
Why would you enrol a deed poll?
Most people who change their name by deed poll choose not to enrol it because of the extra fees, time and paperwork.
Those who do enrol usually want a public record of the change. GOV.UK also notes that a few organisations, such as some banks, mobile phone companies or energy providers, may only accept an enrolled deed poll.
Advantages:
• Your name change is placed on public record
• It may be required by the small number of organisations that only accept enrolled deed polls
Disadvantages:
• More paperwork than an unenrolled deed poll
• Court fees on top of the cost of the deed poll
• Processing can take several weeks
• Your old and new names and address are published in The Gazette
Applying for an enrolled deed poll
If you would like to enrol your deed poll, you apply to the Deed Poll Office, which is run by HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
The GOV.UK website explains the process, fees and what you need to send.
Our deed polls
Deed polls are the most common way to change your name in England and Wales.
The majority will never be enrolled. For most people an unenrolled deed poll is all they need to update their passport, driving licence and bank accounts.
We have been helping people change their name since 2014.
If you would like to change your name, you can get the process started today.
If you would like more information on this topic, please get in contact and one of our team will be happy to help.
Email: [email protected]
