Deed poll agency

[LynnThese4reSEXPEOPLE]

Has anyone ever used a Deed poll agency (people who complete the paperwork for you) to change their name? Please do you have any recommendations?

See also...

Which is ridiculous as it will mostly affect women...

I'm really sorry, I was wrong. However, it's not just a blank refusal. If there are reasons why you want a name change without the spouse's permission then it can still be done.

So, if this is a case involving domestic abuse, then that would likely be sufficient reason for not needing the spouse's permission.

The relevant statute is The Enrolment of Deeds (Change of Name) Regulations 1994

Regulation 3(2) does indeed say that a spouse needs permission, but that requirement can be dispensed with if there is good reason:

3(2) In addition to the documents set out in paragraph (1), an applicant who is married must—

(c) show that he has obtained the consent of his spouse to the proposed change of name or that there is good reason why such consent should be dispensed with.

[emphasis added]

So you would need to include in the application a statement about the domestic abuse.

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But, just to step back a bit, I think that @LittleGreenDragons gives some very practical advice here:

"Would it be easier to change banks and then do a normal deed poll? If not, then open another current account elsewhere, do deed poll/name change, close Lloyd's bank account when safe to do so."

Opening a new bank account in her current name and then afterwards changing the name of the new account will likely be the easiest way of achieving what you are looking to do.

We will do this if necessary - unfortunately her other bank has just been taken over by Lloyd's 🙄

Are you talking about Halifax?

They've been owned by Lloyds for years, it's just that they're now getting rid of the branding and relabelling them all Loyds.

There are plenty of other banks out there that she can either switch to or open a new account and then close an existing account.

Some even have special offers at the moment. For example Nationwide currently offer £175 if you switch a current account to them including at least two direct debits.

I also know somebody who did exactly this. They switched their account to Nationwide and closed their old account. Then a couple of months later used an unenrolled deed poll to change the name on their Nationwide account.

Thanks, that's very helpful. If we don't get anywhere with the bank manager, I think this may be the next step.

Or we can ask the DA charity she is working with for a note and perhaps a copy of the MASH report to go in with an enrolled document bundle (not my favourite choice as it will take ages!)

Sorry if I miss the point, but would it be easiest to change the bank?

Well sorry about that. That is madness from Lloyds. Hopefully you can sort it out.