Changing name by deed poll free?

[Bittersweet12]

Me and my partner are planning to get married, and had plans to join our surnames together.
Plan was to change his by deedpol and then us get married and I take his name, which would be the joined surname.
I've read a few sites that want to charge £30+ to do it! But then I've also seen a site that gives you the template to do it for free!
My question is if we do it ourselves will places really accept this? Bank, utilities, driving licence, work place? Will they take our document as legit or because it's not 'stamped' or got a 'serial number' will we have trouble?

We've done this. We simply took the wording, printed it on nice paper, got witnesses to sign and then used it as proof. The person we spoke to at the bank took some persuading but sent it off for us and it was accepted with no issues. We then applied for passport, updated driving licence, etc. We've changed the name on absolutely everything and it's been fine.

I think getting the bank sorted first helped, as you then have bank statements in your new name and it shows that you're actively using it.

@Flippydip

We've done this. We simply took the wording, printed it on nice paper, got witnesses to sign and then used it as proof. The person we spoke to at the bank took some persuading but sent it off for us and it was accepted with no issues. We then applied for passport, updated driving licence, etc. We've changed the name on absolutely everything and it's been fine.

I think getting the bank sorted first helped, as you then have bank statements in your new name and it shows that you're actively using it.

Did the bank kick up a bit of a fuss? What did you end up doing to persuade them🤣

I did mine for free using an online template, got 2 friends to witness and sign.

Sent off my passport to get changed over first, then everything else. Bank should use it (even if they can be a bit sniffy about it)

I used the wording off the gov.uk site www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll, got two friends to witness it and used it to change my driving licence. No issues.