Deed poll help please

[Illbefinejustbloodyfine]

I've been googling, can I really just draw one up myself, get it witnessed and that's it? No connections with other countries so just needed for UK, banks, driving license and all that stuff.

Don’t spend a penny on it!

I googled Free Deed Poll for the correct wording and got 2 colleagues to witness and that was good enough for the DVLA, HMRC and the passport office.

I took the wording from the Gov website, but the thread linked above, people say no one accept it. I'll go fir the passport , if they accept it then I can use the passport for everything else I guess.

That’s what I did, changed passport first as it was due for renewal, then used that for everything else. It was pretty simple.

This is exactly what I did. I used the wording straight off the .gov.uk website and two witnesses later, I was back to my maiden name. Got my passport changed first and then everything else.

https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll/make-an-adult-deed-poll

EXCELLENT! Thank you!

Is it really that straightforward?

Watching with interest as I really want to change back to my maiden name too, although I want to keep my married name at work & on bank, as it pisses my ex off that I haven't changed back to maiden name after getting divorced & he pays an amount into my bank each month, so would like to keep married name there.

I'd be interested on this.
On the wording I have seen it says about 'renouncing' the previous name.

(And if anyone knows how long is reasonable to switch all ID etc as asked above I'd be very grateful.)

Or can you do a deed poll and then not bother to change passport, etc?

I reverted to maiden name a few years ago after using married name for almost 20 years (still happily married). I got a DIY deed poll and have changed most things such as driving licence, HMRC, banking etc but passport and children’s trustee bank accounts are still in my married name.

The bank is the craziest - we have a joint account which has a bank card in married name and a solo account which has maiden name. On the rare occasion I get cheques in my married name, they have to be paid into the joint account.

I find the (free) deed poll is handy in circumstances when I need to ‘prove’ the name change - DBS checks etc. I keep it with the marriage certificate so I’ve got the full history all together.

My passport is up for renewal next year and I will change my name on that then but I understand (from ringing the passport people) I can ask for a note to be added that I use my married name as well.

@sashh already told you to do that two days ago 🧐

Indeed, and I said thank you. Then as above, had quite a bit of conflicting info, including on the link posted above, about no one accepting it.

A solicitor on this thread said just start using your maiden name too.

@MaggieBsBoat As above, your maiden name is YOUR name. No changing just start using it again. PAY NO MONEY!
Pp suggesting solicitor or company is uninformed or a solicitor (ironically I am a solicitor)

That is what I've done. And am gradually working my through an extensive list of things that need changing over. Starting with the passport for the official stuff, but also school/work for the less official. I printed off the wording from the government website but then was worried it wouldn't be enough. Hence being pleased to see it backed up above.

I used this
https://freedeedpoll.org.uk/
when my divorce was dragging on and I just wanted to stop using my married name. I needed a new passport and really didn't want to renew for 10 years in married name. Then I did the banks and utilities, and finally all the apps, loyalty cards etc. Way more stuff than when I'd got married 20 years earlier!

Most people were fine with 1 witness, only 1 company said they needed 2 witnesses. I argued back, said I could provide my birth certificate and passport as evidence of my name and that they were being unreasonable and they did agree.

I've still got some stuff floating about in married name - no-one checks up on you, it's fine to have stuff in two names! When I first got married, I had my personal stuff in maiden name (including not changing name at work) and only joint stuff in married name. Only changed everything when I was pregnant a few years later.

I had to make a deed poll change of name when I applied for a new passport many years after the old one, issued in a different name, had expired. I'd been using my new name for banking, driving licence etc without issue, but the passport office needed extra proof that I was no longer Theodora Teacake and I had to legitimise the Crumpet identity by abandoning the Teacake. I printed off the recommended wording and got my neighbours to witness it. No money changed hands and the passport office were happy.