It is, perhaps, not widely known that anyone in the UK can call themselves by any name they choose, unless it is for fraudulent reasons, and provided that they always give their official name on official and legal documents. Adopting a new name in this way is perfectly acceptible for everyday use, and is of course, a very cheap method of creating a new identity. However, to have a change of name accepted by major institutuons, official organisations and government departments such as the Passport Agency, Inland Revenue, banks etc. would require a more official and documented method. There are three basic ways of officially changing your name: Advertising The simplest and cheapest method to officially notify people that you intend to change your name is to advertise in the local newspaper. If you use this method, it is a good idea to hold on to a copy of the advert in order to show anyone who might need to know in future. Statutory Declaration Someone using a new name who needs to prove legally who they were previously (perhaps to prove they are legal beneficiaries to a will under their old name) can do so by swearing before a magistrate to the name they have been using and the name they were given at birth. Deed Poll This is the most widely recognised method of changing your name. The deed is a written statement consisting of your original name and the name you now wish to use. The same deed poll can be used to change the name of other members of your family as well, but this can cause complications in the future, and we do not recommend having a joint deed poll. You may change any part of your name of your children.