How Signing and Witnessing Deed Poll is Done

If you want to use your Deed Poll as documentation of your name change abroad, you must have it verified or attested by a Notary Public.

Prior to your witness signing the Deed Poll

Once a witness has been obtained, you need to give them an explanation of the Deed Poll before they sign it. Make sure they understand this as evidence that you have legally changed their name and that it is enforceable. It's also a good idea to let them review the paperwork so they are fully pleased before having them sign it and act as your witnesses.

Giving the witness a certified copy is also a good idea because it guarantees their knowledge of exactly what they have signed and enables them to store the document safely in case it is questioned. It's also useful for someone else to have a duplicate in case your Deed poll becomes lost or misplaced.

Obtain the deed poll's witness signature

After the Signing and witnessing deed poll, the witness should write their name, place of residence, and occupation beneath their signature. If there are any duplicate originals, use the same process

Then, if any duplicate originals were ordered, you and your witness must treat them in exactly the same way. Now that your deed poll has official legal status, With your deed poll, you can start amending your records and papers right away.

Admitting the Role of Witnesses in the Name Change Acts

Signing of a name change is a significant legal process that requires meticulous attention to detail and extreme caution. Whether an adult changes their name through a deed poll or parents change their child's name through a child change of name deed, the witness is an essential part of any name change process.