Deed Polls – Can They Be Used as Identification?

In the UK, thousands of people change their names each year, a trend that is growing in popularity. Some people wonder whether a deed poll can serve as proof of identification, and it’s a valid query. This blog answers that question.

Is a Deed Poll Official Identification?

You may think the deed poll paper is a valid form of identification because it shows your new name. A deed poll is not a legitimate form of identification and, therefore, cannot be used as such, unlike a passport, birth certificate, or photo driver’s licence. 

This is because a deed poll acknowledges that you have changed your name; it does not establish your identity or your former name. Despite popular belief, a deed poll is not a certificate in and of itself but a legal instrument. Obtaining a deed poll is pretty straightforward, and it is not a legal identification document in the same way as the documents mentioned above. 

Authenticating Your Identity

You must do more than produce a paper with your name to verify your identification. A passport, driver’s licence, or birth certificate are the best options because they include your date of birth. A deed poll provides the name change and no other information; therefore, it cannot be used for identification.

Proving your identity may be necessary in various situations, such as opening a bank account, requesting a loan, or giving notice of marriage. Usually, you require identification when using credit to make a purchase. If you buy, sell, or rent real estate, you must produce identification that verifies your name and address under anti-money laundering laws (a utility bill works well).

It’s advisable to find out which types of identification are accepted and whether you will need to provide them before submitting an application or starting any process. It can help you avoid a lot of annoyance and wasted time.

In Summary

A deed poll is an official document required to verify a name change, but it is not a reliable source of identity verification. You should use a valid driver’s licence or passport for this. Always prepare these valid documents whenever you do something that requires official identification. They must be in date and show the correct information regarding name, date of birth and address. 

If you would like to change your name, contact deedpolls.co.uk.