Do you like your name? I guess we all accept it since this name was given to us by our parents or someone close. But how much do you really like it? Also, given the option that it was easy to change your name, would you do it.
How Much Will You Spend To Change Your Name?
Maybe you have a really lovely royal name like Elizabeth or not such a nice one, something like Summer. Perhaps It’s common, and perhaps you want something unique. Your name was Violet, but you might hate the color, or what if your name was something innocent and sweet, but you want something mysterious. Well, it doesn’t hurt to have options open. If you wish to change your name, this is how much it will cost:
First, you can only enroll for a name change yourself if you are at least 18 years old. Your parents or guardians will have to do it for you in other cases. To apply for a name change you need an enrolled deed poll for which you will have to apply to the Royal courts for just £42.44.
Note, you don’t need a deed poll if you want to tale the username of your partner or spouse. You just have to send the documents to the record office, and they will be able to update them for you.
What Is Deed Pool, You Ask?
Well, it is pretty easy to understand. A deed poll name change is a legal document that allows the name change process. You will need a deed poll through whomever or wherever you may apply.
How Much Does A Deed Poll Actually Cost?
The cost of a deed poll is actually nothing. But for that, you will need to make it yourself. And believe us when we say it is not easy. Creating a deed poll is a big task, from legal terms to the correct fonts. It is also very time-consuming as you would need to send it to the proper government department with perfect wording. The official deed poll costs on average £36.
Child deed polls and adult deed polls cost the same £36. Some deed polls lost depending on through which law firm you apply. They might cost you a mere £8.99 to £18.
If you want to buy a replacement deed poll, it will cost you the exact amount you purchased it.
What if you have a divorce and want to go back to using your previous surname. The same as changing your username. It costs nothing. All you need to do is have the correct documentation for the name change from the first time, divorce papers, and other identity proofs and send them to the records office. They will revert your username to the original one.
The fee of one deed poll is £33 for an adult and £35 for a child if you receive a benefit or are a previous client of your respective chosen law firm. The fees for a second deed poll come down to £23 for an adult and £15 for a child. If both a child and an adult change their name together, the deed poll will cost £23 with a discount or £58 full fee. Three children changing their name together costs £58 for all three deed polls together with a discount or £75 full fee. But to qualify for this reduced fee, all the deed polls much be ordered on the same date and time and have the same delivery and dead poll address.
You could also claim a reduction on the fee up to £10 if you are receiving any benefits under:
Income Support.
- Income-related Employment & Support Allowance.
- Pension Credit.
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
- Housing Benefit.
- Working Tax Credit.
- Child Tax Credit (if your household income is less than £20,000 pa).
- Universal Credit (if your household income is less than £20,000 pa).
- If you are applying for an Adult Deed Poll and someone receives Child Benefit for you.
Although this scheme is available, you need to provide the correct and required documentation to avail them. Also, it depends on law firms to firms if they will allow you or not.
Transgender people who might want to change their name have to go through the same process, pay the exact fees, and apply by deed poll. However, bear in mind that U.K.U.K. law only recognizes two legal genders, female and male, so if you are non-binary, it might be a bit hard for you.
Before embarking on the journey to change your name, see to it if you could draft your deed poll by yourself since it will save you a lot of money. Also, you could ask someone to help you decide if they have prior experience or maybe are a law practitioner themself and can help you. Read through and see a few polls before you start drafting one if you have the time for it. Also, if not, it can be pretty helpful to apply through a firm as they can streamline the whole process and make it smoother. Firms can also give discounts for the deed polls if they can. But make sure you know what they are offering and how long are they willing to help. Sometimes firms might give you discounts on the essential cost of the deed poll and add in their fees, which might be more than what you are supposed to pay. Make sure to read all documents before signing.
Thus, we see changing your name may cost from night to a lot. We hope that you take the right decision and see through all documentation while applying. So, think for a while before changing your name, as it has consequences you might not think about. Since changing your name does not cost too much, you might want to make hasty decisions, but we precautionary you against that. But if it makes you happy, all the best for your new name.
