Can I change my name at 16 in the UK?
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In short: Yes in England and Wales — from 16 you normally sign your own [adult deed poll](instantdeedpoll.co.uk/adult-deed-poll*). Under 16 needs a [child deed poll](instantdeedpoll.co.uk/child-deed-poll*) with everyone’s parental-responsibility consent. NI GRONI recording has separate under-18 rules.
Last reviewed:
Reviewed by Kaiser Khan
Document services and GOV.UK practice treat 16+ as able to execute an adult-style change of name deed. Instant Deed Poll’s [adult deed poll](instantdeedpoll.co.uk/adult-deed-poll*) (from around £14.99) is aimed at that group; some services will date a document for a 15-year-old’s 16th birthday — check the provider’s rules before you pay.
Under 16, use a [child deed poll](instantdeedpoll.co.uk/child-deed-poll*) executed by someone with parental responsibility, with written consent from everyone who has parental responsibility. Schools and HMPO often want those consent letters alongside the wet-ink deed.
Northern Ireland’s GRONI “record a change of name” route for under-18s uses qualified applicants and a witnessed form — different paperwork from an England and Wales unenrolled deed. You can still use a deed poll as proof for many UK organisations. More: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/recording-change-name
Primary source: gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll
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