Change your child's name by deed poll

A child deed poll is a legal document that changes a child's name.

Eligibility

You can apply for a child deed poll if your child:

• is under 16
• lives in Wales

You must have parental responsibility for your child.

If your child is 16 or 17, they can apply for their own deed poll, without anyone else's agreement.

Who needs to agree

Everyone with parental responsibility for your child must agree to the change and sign the deed poll.

A mother always has parental responsibility. A father has it if:

• he was married to the mother when the child was born
• he is named on the birth certificate, for births registered in England or Wales on or after 1 December 2003
• he has a parental responsibility agreement or court order

Adoptive parents, appointed guardians and anyone given parental responsibility by a court also have it.

How to apply

First, check that everyone with parental responsibility agrees to the change. Then apply online. You will be asked for:

• your child's current name
• their new name
• the names of everyone with parental responsibility
• your address in Wales
• an email address

It costs £25 to apply for a child deed poll with the Wales Deed Poll Office. You can pay by debit or credit card.

After you apply

You will get a confirmation email after you apply.

Your child's deed poll should arrive within 4 working days.

What your child's deed poll includes

Your child's deed poll sets out:

• your child's former name
• their new name
• a declaration that your child has given up their former name and will use their new name
• spaces for everyone with parental responsibility and 2 witnesses to sign

Every deed poll is sealed and has its own serial number.

If you need more than one copy

Schools, GP practices and other organisations will usually ask to see your child's deed poll. Some hold on to it while they process the change, then send it back.

You can add extra copies to your application, so you can update several records at once. Extra copies cost £2.50 each.

Signing your child's deed poll

Everyone with parental responsibility signs the deed poll in front of 2 witnesses, who then sign it as well.

Each witness must be 18 or older and know you personally. A witness cannot be a close relative or live at your address.

Most people ask a friend, neighbour or work colleague.

Your child's deed poll is legally valid once everyone with parental responsibility and both witnesses have signed it.

Updating your child's records

Use your child's deed poll to update their name with organisations such as:

• their school
• their GP and dentist
• HM Passport Office

Each organisation has its own process, and there is no deadline for telling them.

Your child's deed poll is legal proof of their name change in Wales and throughout the UK.