Deed polls are free to make yourself — you're paying for this service to generate,
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You only sign one original — certified copies are what you send to organisations.
£14.99 — instant PDF download Common questions ↓Once you have signed your deed poll, you should never send your original away. Instead, you make certified copies — photocopies that you have signed and annotated to confirm their authenticity. A certified copy carries the same evidential value as the original for the purpose of notifying organisations of your name change, and most organisations (including the Passport Office, DVLA, and banks) will accept them without question.
Making a certified copy is simple: photocopy your signed original deed poll, then on the copy write by hand "I certify this to be a true copy of the original deed poll" and add your new name signature and the date. That annotation, written by you on the copy, is what makes it "certified". Some organisations may also ask you to sign it in both your old name and your new name — it is good practice to do this on every certified copy in case it is required.
There is no limit to how many certified copies you can make. You should make enough for every organisation you need to notify, plus a few spares. Keep your original signed deed poll somewhere safe — a folder at home, alongside your other important documents. You should not need to produce the original again unless a specific organisation requests it, which is rare.
Deed polls are free to make yourself — you're paying for this service to generate,
format and deliver yours instantly and correctly.
Write on the photocopy: "I certify this to be a true copy of the original deed poll" followed by your signature (in your new name) and the date. Some organisations also ask for a signature in your old name — including both is good practice.
No. Unlike the original deed poll, a certified copy does not require witnesses. You certify it yourself by signing and annotating the photocopy. No solicitor or other third party needs to be involved.
Most organisations accept certified copies by post. The Passport Office and DVLA both accept them by post. Banks vary — some require in-branch presentation, others accept postal or digital copies. Check with each organisation before sending.
This is unusual, but if it happens, send it by recorded delivery and keep a record of when and to whom it was sent. Ask the organisation to confirm in writing that they will return it. Never send your original without a plan to get it back.
Make at least 8–10. You will typically need one for: Passport Office, DVLA, your bank(s), HMRC, your employer, your GP, and a few spares. Making copies is free and takes minutes — it is better to have too many than too few.