To change my name by deed poll to drop my middle name

[MolyHolyGuacamole]

I’ve always disliked my middle name, but the older I’ve grown, the more it’s turned into hate. I was named after my paternal grandmother. Not only is it a very old-fashioned name that no one has been named for generations (think something like ‘Philomena’), my grandmother was a truly horrible person.

I wasn’t close to her at all, she wasn’t maternal and was over-bearing and strict on the few times we visited as children. My father tried to force a relationship with us children as we got older with weekly visits, once she became more frail and eventually bedridden, but it never took.

It seems trivial, but I really hate seeing my full name on my driver’s license and passport, and just want to be known by First/Last Name only.

I don’t plan on telling my parents as I know they won’t approve. Despite his parents not having been warm and loving (he and his siblings were raised by live-in help), he gave all of us middle names from members of his family and remains dutiful to his dad who is still alive. That’s all fine, it’s his choice, but I want a choice in my name now.

So, AIBU?

So if, like me (and it sounds like the OP too) you want to have your new name legally recognised on your driving licence, passport etc, you do need to pay.

Having done it myself, that's not true. All you need for the items you've listed is a deed poll itself, for which there is no charge.

I know a kid called philomena 😂 your choice OP x

[quote MrsSpenserGregson]**@Tippexy* @TurquoiseDragon yes I know that thanks, but if you want to put your new name on public record in the UK, you do* need to pay for it. Here www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll

So if, like me (and it sounds like the OP too) you want to have your new name legally recognised on your driving licence, passport etc, you do need to pay.[/quote]
No, you don’t have to. You create your deed poll yourself and it is perfectly fine for use with banks, passport, driving licence etc. Trust me!

@Tippexy It depends on the individuals situation, as I gained British citizenship rather than it being a birth right I had to have mine enrolled. Without it being enrolled I couldn’t change my name on my passport etc.

[quote SimonJT]@Tippexy It depends on the individuals situation, as I gained British citizenship rather than it being a birth right I had to have mine enrolled. Without it being enrolled I couldn’t change my name on my passport etc.[/quote]
I can see that it might be necessary at times, then, but MrsSpenserGregson's post implied that deed polls needed to be enrolled for everyone who wanted to change their licence/passport, when that isn't true.

In almost all situations bar official documents, nothing will change, people will still call you by the same name. Seems a reasonable thing to do and if you are happier as a result, do it.

You don't need a deed poll, statutory declaration at a solicitor's is enough, then you get a piece of paper to give to any authority that needs it

@wheelywheelynice

You don't need a deed poll, statutory declaration at a solicitor's is enough, then you get a piece of paper to give to any authority that needs it

Why pay a solicitor, when it's free to do yourself? You prepare a statement, get witnesses to sign it, then make as many copies as you want.