How can I find people to witness my deed poll signature? Friends all said no 😞

[NattyFawn]

Hi all,
I’m in a bit of a bind and hoping someone here might have ideas. I’m legally changing my name via deed poll and need two adult witnesses to sign the document. Unfortunately, it can’t be family, and all the friends I asked said no (mostly because they’re unsure what it means or don’t want to share ID).
It literally takes under 5 minutes:
✅ You just watch me sign
✅ Then write your name, address, and signature
✅ Show a quick form of ID (passport or driving license)
You’re not legally responsible for anything – just confirming you saw me sign.
I’m in Wembley but can travel a bit, and I’m happy to meet at a coffee shop or restaurant and cover your food as a thank you.
Has anyone had to do this before or have tips on how to find people who’d be open to helping? I’ve tried asking online, but people are understandably cautious.
Thanks so much 🙏

Local library. If the librarians don’t want to someone nosy will likely volunteer

I guess they don't understand the implications of witnessing a signature. (Or, more accurately, the fact that there are no implications. They just need to sign to say they watched you sign.)

You can ask anyone, including a complete stranger. Work colleague? Neighbour? Librarian?

I once witnessed the will of a complete stranger I only met for about two minutes. I was working in the office upstairs and she asked me if I would do it. If anyone contacted me now (assuming they could trace me despite several address changes) I would be able to say, "Yes, that was me, and yes, I saw her sign."

That’s really strange if your friends, it’s no different to witnessing a passport or any other document.

my neighbours did mine

It is actually very different to countersigning a passport.

To countersign a passport you have to have a suitable occupation and have known the person for more than two years.

Neither of those things are required for witnessing a signature. You could get someone you accosted in Sainsbury's to do it.

You have weird friends.

Sorry Op, if this is genuine, but there is absolutely no way I would give a complete stranger my name, address, signature, and sight of my passport / driving license. That is a recipe for all sorts of financial fraud…

Right. When someone gullible rocks up, it'll turn into 'i just need to take a quick photo of your ID'

Bonkers.

There must be some work colleagues who would do this? Or even neighbours.

When I needed a Will witnessing I took it into work and the first 2 people I asked had no problem with this. What's so difficult to understand, it's just witnessing a signature! If I couldn't find anyone I'd call the local solicitors who are used this this, but will probably charge a fee. Sorry I'm nowhere near you but I hope you get sorted.

Post office?

I changed my name when i was 18 but still at collage so i got my collage nurse - who i had known since i was 3! to do one signature, and i think the farmer down the road who was also a JOP to do the other.

But i'm fairly sure that the post office can/do offer a service or something like that - at least in the bigger ones?

I got my neighbours to witness a name change form for me. We aren't close at all; it was simply that they were literally the nearest adults who weren't related to me on that day. I already knew their names and where they lived. I didn't need their ID, and the form I printed off was accepted by the passport office. I don't know why your friends wouldn't do it. It's very straightforward and has no implications for the signatories at all.

For those saying ‘why wouldn’t anyone do it’, it is the fact that the OP has asked that the person bring along ID, like passport etc, which is not actually required for witnessing a signature. So name, address, signature, plus ID would be the absolute jackpot for someone involved in financial fraud…

Same for me, many years ago but the two secretaries to the solicitor witnessed my signature. No friends had to be asked.

No one ever checks with the witnesses, OP.

Just saying.

You don't need ID from the witnesses to a deed poll.

Yeh, "where can I find..." rather rapidly turned into "will one of you...". A quick Google search would have answered the first question. And what's with the ID request 🤔 who does OP think the witness needs to show ID to?

Back in the early 2000s, my name appears as a witness in a dozens of patent applications.
I worked for a solicitor and i used to pop downstairs (with the senior partner) to their office as a witness.

It never occurred to me to say no. It sounds like the OP’s friends are maybe misunderstanding what’s required of them.

I did this for my daughters ex. I didn't need to provide id. Are you sure you've read the form right @NattyFawn?

Surprised noone has suggested a notary public yet.

How strange that your friends refused.
DH changed his name when we married so we had it ok the table in church when we signed the marriage register and it was witnessed by the MoH and Best Man. We had various other things to witness later on when we were in a new area with no friends nearby and we just put a message on a local facebook group and a couple of random neighbours, a retired teacher and someone who works in the Fire Brigade, kindly volunteered. It's such a non-big-deal. Do your friends actually disapprove of your name change and are refusing to witness as a way of registering their objection?

My will was witnessed by my next door neighbours. Just ask any two people you know. All that's needed is a name and address after their signature.

Most (virtually all) of them are solicitors.

How bizarre they won't witness this. It's only a deed poll not guarantor for a flat!!! I get my work managers to witness things like this for me. I changed my name by deed poll some years back.

Do you work?

I usually ask my colleagues to do stuff like this if needed, we all return the favour for each other!

Many solicitors won’t now witness or certify things unless you’re already a client/ known to them. Banks won’t do it either.

However as PP say you don’t need ID and you don’t need to be a trusted person. Try asking a friend again without the need for ID.

Agree counter signing for official stuff like passports needs overhauling. Many people don’t have personal connections with the trusted occupation lists or necessarily live near them if they do. People you know only professionally won’t do it.

Why is their ID needed?