Change of Name Deed Poll

[Ken Boyce]

The following appeared in the London Times c1967 (I’ve left out the names and post WW2 dates )
Notice is hereby given that by a Deed Poll dated ---------- and enrolled in the Supreme Court of Judicature on the ---------- I (new forename and surname) (occupation) of (address), a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by birth abandoned the name of (old forename and surname) and on behalf of my son (forename) (new surname) abandoned the surname of (old surname) – Dated this ----Day of --------------
(New forename and surname) formally (old forename and surname)

I have four questions
What additional information is given in the court documents?
As this is a civil matter presumably the High Court of Justice Division would hear the application. Where would the court hearing (if there was one) have occurred (Strand?)
How does one get access to the court record?
Why would the highest court in the land be interested in a name change Could the child have been a minor and the change required the Supreme Courts blessing. We don’t see the unkown mother involved so possibly there was a divorce
Regards

[Colin Moretti]

Hello Ken

This guidance leaflet at TNA answers some of your questions:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=176

As I read it the deed poll was enrolled just so that it was formally recorded, there was no legal reason to involve the Court. The original documents seem to be held at Kew. It's not clear if there is any further information in the enrolled documents.

When you've read that you'll know as much as I do; perhaps there are others who can respond with more information.

Colin

[Peter Goodey]

Ken

In English law anyone can change his or her name without any legal formality whatsoever. A deed poll formalises the change and is increasingly useful in these bureaucratic times.

There is no 'application' and no court hearing - the deed poll is a declaration, not a request and is simply lodged with the court.

"deed poll A deed to which there is only one party; for example, one declaring a change of name."

Source: Oxford Dictionary of Law

[Guy Etchells]

First let's get one thing clear there is only one way to change a person's name in the UK and that is by using a new name.

"Deed Poll" does not and never has changed a name it is simply one way of proving that a change of name has taken place.

In the instance mentioned all that has happened is the Deed of Change of Name has been sworn out (in front of a Solicitor or Commissioner of Oaths) and it is then registered (or enrolled) at the Central Office of the Supreme Court.
There is no court case.
Cheers
Guy

[Ken Boyce]

Thanks to one and all
The one word I did not look up was the meaning in law of enrolled

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Five years after I remarried, my 11 year old daughter asked if she could have her surname changed, as she *didn't feel part of the family with a different name* ...... her words, not mine.

After 'teasing' her about the comments she would get, with a name like this, only after talking to her for a long time, did we find out that it was really important to her.

Working for Solicitors' all my life, I had a word with my boss and everything was done as Guy said. The only condition was, that I had to obtain written permission from her father for this to go ahead. He did give it, *the Deed was done!* (excuse the pun ;)) but I was informed that he wouldn't have agreed if she had been a lad!