To change my name via deed without using a service

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The Gov website has the wording to change your name by deed poll which just needs to be signed and witness by two witnesses.
I was going to do this as it's free. Then change my name on HMRC website and then bills, bank, driving licence and passport.
But I have heard some places wrongly challenge the use of a free deed poll and prehaps I am better off paying for one of the online services (surely it's just a certificate on their paperwork - same wording still needs signing and witnessing.)

The challenge comes from when they do not have a notorised copy of the Deed. You get a notorised copy by having the deed "notorised" by a professional, or post office. I've never received challenge from mine, I've used 2 separate services (for different family members ), one was via solicitor, one was via online service.

Both methods I had to get notorised copies due to challenge from utilities companies.

It depends on the institution whether they will accept an "unenrolled" deed poll or require an "enrolled" one. The unenrolled on can be done for free, you have to pay for the enrolled one (about 50 quid).

Lots of companies will do it on your behalf for a fee, but the service isn't that difficult so you should just do it for free/basic enrolled fee, depending on what you need.

It's not that businesses "wrongly" demand the paid version, it's that there is a difference between the fee to the state for the enrolled one and the admin/service fee if you pay to someone to do the (small amout of) work on your behalf.

I changed my name with only a free deed poll website. The DVLA accept that, so I changed my driving licence first and then I had a government issued photo ID in my new name to use as further proof. The only people who questioned the unenrolled deed poll for me were EE, and they were fine after seeing my new driving licence.

I only ever used a diy one - used the required wording (though even this isnt defined) and got 2 Friends to sign.

The only place it was queried was by the little fella in our local post office when sending off my details for the DC passports several years later (they needed LOTS) of extra paperwork from me and he said they needed a deed poll completely ignored the bit when I needed to send off the court order paperwork but wouldn't accept a legal change of name declaration

I did a free one and no-one has ever queried it. That includes the passport office, DVLA and DBS. If they accept it, why would anyone else question it?

I did my own for free, never had it notorised.

Have moved multiple times since, and it's been accepted for passports and child benefit etc.

I did a free one. It was enough to get me a new passport and birth certificate, and that's all I've needed since.

Fairly sure you can't change the name on your birth certificate?

Whoops, I mean driving licence!

I did mine, accepted everywhere, in fact the post office offered to insure it when they sent it off .

use posh paper and a formal font so people think it’s real and official!

get your witnesses to sign at least four copies then you have several “originals”

I used a free one printed on nice heavy paper. Had no issues with DVLA etc - my only issue was Lloyds Bank but think that was just an over zealous employee. I spoke to another member of staff a different day and it was fine

I've never had a problem with mine. No posh paper or fancy font needed. Cheap printer paper and crumpled to hell!

Send it to DVLA first as that's easy, then if you come across an awkward company, they can also see your ID.

Make sure you make multiple real copies in case some get lost.

Anyone 'requiring' it notorised or enrolled can fuck off (I never came across this anyway)