changing names?

Question

does anyone know how much it costs to change your name?
and how do u go about it?
and also if it means u start a clean slate?

cheers

by the way im not looking to change my name,
again, me n pals @ work are just curious

Answer 1

There are a number of ways to change your name in the UK.

The simple way is to simply tell your friends, family, employer and whoever that you henceforth wish to be known as Captain Melonhead (or whatever name takes your fancy). It's free, but doesn't have any legal standing. As far as the police or government would be concerned whatever you might choose to be known as is not what is on your birth certificate, so you would be charged under your real name.

To do it legally usually involves a solicitor and a process known as "deed poll" at the local County Court. You can change your name for a variety of reasons, but if you are trying to avoid the law catching up with your old name or intend using your new name for fraud, then that is forbidden. You are not usually allowed to use a name that denotes an office for which you are not entitled if you try to defraud people - you cannot call yourself "Doctor Fred Smith" (with doctor being your first name not a title) but then try to actually pass yourself off as a doctor of medicine. The same goes for other titles like army ranks or styling yourself as "Lord" - Screaming Lord Sutch did it, but you have to be careful your name isn't offensive to public morals - I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be allowed to choose Hitler as a name for eaxmple. Assuming you don't intend to change your name to anything bizarre, the process is fairly painless, and probably costs a couple of hundred pounds including solicitors fees, but it can probably be done for less. Even then, your idea of a "clean slate" is wishful thinking I'm afraid...

Answer 2

To change your name you need something called a deed poll. By Deed Poll, you can officially change any part or all of your name. Your forename, surname or both. You can change your name by Deed Poll as often as you want, at any time and for any reason provided it is not for deceptive or fraudulent purposes.

Without a deed poll it is not official and you will not be able to change your official documentation like passport, drivers licence etc without one.

You can find companies which will sell you the deed poll online for as little as £15 (its a one-off cost), but since it is a legal document you can have a solicitor etc draw one up for you.

I would encourage you to get one from a reputable source since it is as important as a passport! As far as wiping your slate clean it can't be used as a means to get around financial or criminal troubles since anyone looking into your identity will see your old one linked to the new one on official records.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

it costs about a hundred and fifty dollars to change a name legally.
Anyone can do it, just go to the right Government office!
a clean state is hard to do, even if you change your name you will still find applications that ask for previous names and security checks that probe your social security #.
If you get false id you will also find that it will not be permanent and you may have to change it again.
It is also hard to reestablish a new identity if you asociate with old freinds and even Family. and still want a clean slate after doing so.

Answer 4

It's legal process involving lawyers. Google "deed poll" for more info.

And no you don't start with a clean slate. Bad before, bad after.

Answer 5

You go and see a solicitor it will cost you less than £50. It doesn't mean that you lose responsibility for anything you did in your previous name no. So if you've done something it will be down to you to sort it.