Enrolled and unenrolled deed polls

There are 2 types of deed poll: enrolled and unenrolled. In Northern Ireland, an unenrolled deed poll is the standard way to change your name.

You do not need to enrol your deed poll.

What enrolment is

Enrolment means registering a deed poll with the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

It is part of the court system in England and Wales. There is no equivalent process in Northern Ireland.

Legal validity

Enrolling a deed poll does not make it more legally valid. An enrolled and an unenrolled deed poll have the same legal effect.

Once you and your witnesses have signed it, an unenrolled deed poll is legal proof of your name change. Organisations such as HM Passport Office, the Driver and Vehicle Agency and banks accept it.

Privacy

An unenrolled deed poll is a private document. Your name change is not added to any public record.

When a deed poll is enrolled, the name change becomes public. It is published in The Gazette, and anyone can see your former name and your new name.

If you have read about enrolment elsewhere

Many websites about deed polls cover England and Wales. If you have read about enrolled deed polls there, it does not apply to changing your name in Northern Ireland.

Apply for a deed poll

It costs £25 to apply for an unenrolled deed poll with the NI Deed Poll Office. You can pay by debit or credit card.