What do I need to know?
On this page you’ll find lots of information about the services we offer. We provide free services, and some you can pay for. We also have a link to our ‘DIY Deed Poll’ for you to download if you want to do it yourself.
Please note, we currently ONLY provide a deed poll preparation service for people aged 16 and over. If you (or the person you are requesting one for) is approaching 16, you can pre-order using our service.
Can you prepare my deed poll for me?
With pleasure. We’ve created a simple tool that will give us the details we need to prepare your deed poll for you. If you use this service, you will receive your electronic copy immediately.
You can use this service for free, or pay for extras. The choice is yours. There’s information about the different packages below.
All deed polls prepared using this service will have our branded professional design and you will receive an email with an electronic version.
Watch our short explainer video about how to use our deed poll service:
Is this service free?
Yes. If you only want us to prepare your deed poll and send you the electronic copy, this can be free.
You can print this and arrange for someone to witness and sign it. This will be your original master copy once signed and witnessed and you will need to take copies yourself or scan the original if you want to send this to relevant organisations. We will also send you instructions to follow to help you complete the deed poll when you receive it.
If you’re happy with the service and would like to make a donation, we’d very much appreciate that.
Do you offer full printed services?
Absolutely! As well as finding it easier to let us do it for you, you might want us to provide the additional services set out in our paid for options.
These include optional extras that some people have requested from us in the past, so we’ve put them into ‘bronze’, ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ options:
Use our service
Complete the form below and we’ll get to work on it!
If you are choosing one of the paid for services, the form will ask you how you wish to pay.
Can I do it myself?
Yes. Because it’s possible to change a name without contacting or paying anyone, we’ve provided the commonly used wording in a downloadable document. Just click on the link below to download this and enter the details yourself. If you need any help with it, you can contact us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can print this and arrange for someone to witness and sign it. This will be your original master copy once signed and witnessed and you will need to take copies yourself or scan the original if you want to send this to relevant organisations.
Got questions?
We’ve tried to keep it as simple as possible, but we understand that this might mean you have some questions about the process. Take a look at the answers to some frequently asked questions below, of feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can.
What is a deed poll?
A change of name deed (usually referred to as a deed poll) is a document that states your intent to stop using a previous name and from then on, use a new name. This intention can be written or printed on anything – yes anything! Legally speaking, you don’t even need a written declaration to use any name, as the use of a name is in fact what makes it official (this is all to do with names being common law in the UK).
Why do I need a deed poll?
Although ‘legally’ speaking, a deed poll is not strictly necessary when asking organisations to change a name on their records, they will often ask for a deed poll. It’s common practice that organisations request (or as they usually say, “require”) this for audit purposes. This is basically to document your instruction that you no longer use a previous name, and for all purposes, now use a new name.
Do I need to pay?
No. There is no requirement for you to pay to change a name. Any services that cost, like our paid for services, are optional extras. You would be paying for the time and materials it would take to provide you with such services.
Why does Umbrella Cymru provide a paid for service?
We are often asked by people to provide card copies of deed polls as well as additional copies so that the original can be kept safe. Some organisations request certified copies, so we also provide this in our Gold and Platinum levels. The optional extras take time to prepare, so we charge for this. As we are a Charitable Organisation, we do not make any profit. This means that all money generated from the sale of our services go back into the organisation to develop the wider free support services we provide across Wales.
What does 'certified copy' mean?
A certified copy of a deed poll is a copy of an original that has on it an endorsement that it is a true copy of the original. It does not certify that the original is genuine, only that it is a true copy of the original. Some organisations request this certification, so to have one can sometimes help (although it is not necessarily ‘legally’ required.
Do I need parental consent if I'm under 18?
Not usually. In the UK, a person can change their name without parental consent from the age of 16. It is also possible to do so under the age of 16, as formal documented consent is usually obtained to prevent any future challenge or dispute. This can get a bit more tricky, so it might be worth seeking legal advice if you wish to do this.
Are there exemptions or special circumstances?
Yes. There are other occasions where changing a name is not quite as simple, and rules are sometimes different for some non-uk nationals, young people where there is a care order in place with specific restrictions on names, and some other circumstances. Again, if you are unsure whether there are any special circumstances that would apply, it might be worth seeking legal advice. For most people, this would not be necessary.