Page "Name change" Paragraph 21

Documentary evidence of a change of name can be in a number of forms, such as a marriage certificate, decree absolute, civil partnership certificate, statutory declaration or deed of change of name.

Such documents are mere evidence that a change of name has occurred, however, and they do not themselves operate to change a person's name.

Deeds of change of name are by far the most commonly used method of providing evidence of a change of name other than changing a woman's surname after marriage.

A deed poll is a legal document that binds a single person to a particular course of action ( in this case, changing one's name for all purposes ).

The term ' deed ' is common to signed, written agreements that have been shown to all concerned parties.

Strictly speaking, it is not a contract because it binds only one party and expresses an intention instead of a promise.

' Poll ' is an old legal term referring to official documents that had cut edges ( were polled ) so that they were straight.