Anyone changed their name by deed poll?

[Juliefaith]

Hello, I want to use my second, middle name as my forename. Is it best to use a solicitor, notary public to help me, prepared a document for me and as a witness? What is the difference between an enrolled or unenrolled deed poll?
My passport has expired, should I renew my passport and apply later for a new passport with my new name? Thanks. Any advice, suggestions appreciated.

I did when I got married.

You definitely don’t need a solicitor. You just need a deed poll which you can easily get online and have it witnessed by two people. And that was it, my name was changed.

I didn’t get it enrolled as it was enough to change my name and get a new passport. Getting it enrolled is only needed if the bank or someone else needs an enrolled copy and no one ever needed it for me.

Btw I signed and had witnessed two copies of the deed poll, as I had to send the original off when I got my new passport and wanted another copy in case it got lost in the post.

Search 'free deed poll' and you will find various sites. You don't need to use a solicitor.

Print out the document and get two witnesses.

I actually timed mine to go with my passport renewal, once I had my new passport I took that and my old one to the Dr, bank etc.

Enrolling it just means you have an advert put in the press.

If it is just a change in name order you don't actually need to do anything, lots of people use their middle name as a given name.

Thank you both for suggestions, advice. Just going for the basic, but two witnesses, friends? Someone you know for a long time? I probably be worried about my info in the press, especially a lot of scam, Identity theft etc...
Thanks again. xx

Yes friends, colleagues, just someone who knows you.

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

You don't need an enrolled deed poll at all.

Just print off the form here and have two friends sign it: freedeedpoll.org.uk

That's what I did. First thing I did was use it to change my bank account. That gave me the evidence to change my passport, which then made everything else very smooth. Some places ask you to show your new ID to change their records which is legally not a requirement, but I did it just to make life easier.

You will occasionally encounter people who don't know how it works and refuse to accept the paper deed poll. My mortgage lender's branch staff did this. But making a formal complaint got it resolved quickly.

My tip is to print and sign lots of copies of your deed poll, as initially you will need to change lots of things and it's handy to be able to post out several at once rather than waiting for them to come back (and some people won't return them!).

Friends, your next door neighbour, colleagues, anyone.

It won’t be in the press if you don’t have it enrolled. And there’s no need to have it enrolled.

Evening ladies, thanks again x