What is a Deed Poll?
The term Deed Poll essentially means an agreement from one person, or several persons. It is more of an expression of intent than a contract. Poll is an archaic legal term referring to documents with straight edges; these distinguished a deed binding only one person from one affecting more than a single person (an “indenture”, so named during the time when such agreements would be written out repeatedly on a single sheet, then irregularly torn or “indented” so that each party had a document with corresponding tears, to discourage forgery). Over the last 150 years or so the use of Deed Polls has died out, with the exception of Deeds of Change of Name – which most people now refer to as a Deed Poll. A Deed of Change of Name is used to change a persons name. Deeds of Change of Name can be used by Adults wishing to change their own name, Adults wishing to change their children’s names or Adults wishing to change their Title. On this website when referring to a Deed Poll we are referring to
