When researching deed polls, you may come across the term "enrolled deed poll." This sounds official — and it is, in a specific sense — but it is important to understand what enrolment actually means, what it does not mean, and who genuinely benefits from it.
The short answer for most people: you do not need to enrol your deed poll.
What is an unenrolled deed poll?
An unenrolled deed poll is the standard type of deed poll used for the vast majority of name changes in the UK. It is a document you sign in front of two witnesses, which declares your intention to abandon your old name and adopt a new one.
An unenrolled deed poll:
- Is immediately legally effective from the moment it is signed
- Is accepted by HMPO (for passports), the DVLA, banks, HMRC, the NHS, and employers
- Requires no approval, registration, or official processing
- Remains a private document — there is no public record of it
This is what our service produces, and what most name changes in the UK use.
What is an enrolled deed poll?
An enrolled deed poll is one that has been submitted to — and formally recorded by — the Senior Courts Costs Office at the Royal Courts of Justice. Enrolment is governed by the Enrolment of Deeds (Change of Name) Regulations 1994.
Once enrolled, your name change appears in the London Gazette (the official public record). The enrolled deed poll is assigned a court reference number and becomes part of a permanent public record.
What does enrolment cost?
The court fee for enrolment is currently £42. However, there are additional requirements:
- You must use a solicitor to prepare and submit the enrolment application (the court does not accept applications directly from individuals in most cases)
- Solicitor fees for enrolment preparation typically add £50 to £100 on top of the court fee
- Total enrolled deed poll cost: approximately £92 to £142, plus the cost of the deed poll document itself
Is an enrolled deed poll more legally valid?
No. This is a common misconception. An enrolled deed poll is not more legally valid than an unenrolled one. The Passport Office, DVLA, HMRC, and banks do not require enrolment and do not treat enrolled deed polls as having greater authority.
Enrolment simply creates a public record of the name change. It does not confer additional legal powers or make the deed poll more authoritative.
Who genuinely benefits from enrolment?
Enrolment is useful in a narrow set of circumstances:
Property and formal legal proceedings
In some complex property transactions or formal legal proceedings, having a court-enrolled deed poll provides an additional layer of verifiable evidence. Solicitors handling complex estates or cross-border transactions may prefer the enrolled version.
Changing a child's name
When changing a child's name, some solicitors recommend enrolment as it provides a clear, permanent record. However, it is not a legal requirement even for children's name changes.
Proving a historical name change
If you changed your name many years ago and need to prove it definitively — for example, for inheritance purposes — an enrolled record can be easier to locate and verify than an old unenrolled document.
Who should NOT enrol their deed poll
Enrolment is actively unhelpful — and can be harmful — in some situations:
Trans and non-binary people
An enrolled deed poll creates a permanent, publicly searchable record of your old name and new name in the London Gazette. For trans people who need privacy around their former name, enrolment should generally be avoided. An unenrolled deed poll is accepted for all purposes including a Gender Recognition Certificate application and passport changes.
People changing names for privacy or safety reasons
If you are changing your name to protect yourself from harassment, to escape an abusive situation, or for any privacy-related reason, enrolment would publicly link your old name and new name. This defeats the purpose entirely. Never enrol a deed poll for a safety-related name change.
Summary
For the vast majority of people — including anyone changing their name after marriage, divorce, transition, or simply personal preference — an unenrolled deed poll is all you need. It is accepted everywhere, costs less, and keeps your name change private.
Enrolment is a niche option for specific circumstances. If you are unsure whether you need it, you almost certainly do not.