Any person that is 16 or over and is resident in the United Kingdom can legally change their name at any time. You can change your name for any reason providing it is not to deceive anyone (e.g. To avoid paying a debt or fulfilling an obligation). The cheapest way to change your name is to simply ask people to start calling you by your new name - this is known as a name change by usage.
While changing your name by usage is the most cost effective (free) option, you may run into problems further down your name change route. The problems will usually start arising when you are trying to get particular official documents changed to your name name. Government agencies such as the DVLA and the Identity and Passport Service (formerly UK Passport Service) will require what is called "documentary evidence" of your name change before they will reissue your documents. You will also find that many private companies and organisations such as financial institutions and utility providers require documentary evidence of your change of name before they will amend their records.
Documentary evidence is a term given to describe a document that will be accepted by government departments, private companies and organisations to change a persons name. You would describe the following as documentary evidence that can be used to change your name:
If you wish to change your name for any reason that is not listed above (marriage, civil partnership, adoption, etc), you will need to provide documentary evidence of your name change before you will be able to get official documents and records amended. Deed polls act as the documentary evidence required in order to prove your change of name and ensure that all government agencies, private companies and other organisations will update or reissue their records and documents without delay.
