How to Change Your Name on the UK Electoral Register After a Deed Poll [2026 Guide]
You update the name on the UK electoral register by submitting a change-of-name notification through gov.uk/register-to-vote (or by post to your local Electoral Registration Officer). An unenrolled, signed and witnessed deed poll is accepted as evidence of the change; the ERO updates your entry on the rolling register so you can vote under your new name at the next election.
Quick answer
Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote and select "Change your details". Enter your new name, your National Insurance number, your date of birth and your address, then submit. Your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) updates the register within a few weeks — most people do not need to send a paper copy of their deed poll. If you are registering for the first time, the same form works — just add "deed poll" in the previous-name field.
Who needs to update the electoral register
- Any UK, Commonwealth or EU citizen resident in Great Britain or Northern Ireland who is registered to vote and has changed their name by deed poll.
- Citizens on the household ("open") register and the edited ("opt-out") register — both are updated simultaneously.
- Anyone registered at a previous address who has since moved and changed their name — submit one update covering both.
You do not need to update the register if you have only changed a nickname or a professional name that you do not use for legal or voting purposes. The electoral register records your legal name, which is the name on your passport, driving licence, HMRC records and bank accounts.
How to update the register online
- Sign your deed poll first. The portal asks for your new name and the date of the change — both must match your witnessed deed poll.
- Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote and select "Already registered? Update your details". You will need your National Insurance number, date of birth and current address.
- Enter your new name exactly as it appears on your deed poll. Spelling, capitalisation and any middle names must match precisely.
- Confirm the date of the change — this is the date you signed the deed poll in front of your two witnesses.
- Submit the form. You receive an email confirmation and the ERO checks the update. Most updates are processed within two to four weeks.
Updating by post
If you cannot use the online portal (for example, you have no National Insurance number), contact your local Electoral Registration Office. Download a paper registration form from gov.uk, complete it with your new name, and post it with a certified copy of your deed poll to your local council's elections office. Avoid sending the original — most EROs accept a clear certified photocopy.
Deadlines before an election
The register updates continuously on the "rolling register", but the deadline to register or update your details for a particular election is usually 12 working days before polling dayfor UK Parliamentary elections and 11 working days for local elections. Submit your update before these deadlines so that your polling card arrives with your new name and you can vote without on-the-day verification steps.
Common mistakes
- Submitting the update before your deed poll is signed — the ERO may reject it.
- Mismatching the National Insurance number against your HMRC record (use the number on your payslip or P60).
- Spelling your new name differently from your deed poll — the ERO records exactly what you enter.
- Forgetting to update at the same time as moving house, leading to two outdated entries.
Official source
gov.uk/register-to-vote — Register to vote or update your detailsFrequently asked questions
Do I need to register again or can I just update my name?
You do not need to register from scratch. Use the gov.uk/register-to-vote portal and submit a change of name update — your local electoral registration office (ERO) amends the existing entry on the rolling register, so you keep the same polling number when one is issued.
How long does the update take?
Most name changes are processed within two to four weeks. During the annual canvass (typically July to November) or just before a scheduled election, processing can stretch to six weeks, so submit your update as soon as your deed poll is signed.
What happens if I move house at the same time?
Submit one update covering both the name change and the new address. The gov.uk form lets you change both in a single submission — the ERO will register you at the new address under your new name and remove the old entry automatically.
Will my polling card show my old name at the next election?
If your ERO has processed the update before the next polling-card print run, your card shows your new name. If you submitted close to an election deadline, the polling card may show your old name — the staff at the polling station can still accept your vote once they verify your identity against the new register.
Ready to update your voting record?
Get your witnessed deed poll first — your ERO accepts it as evidence of your new name.
Apply for a deed pollRelated guides
UK Deed Poll Bureau Editorial Team
Deed Poll Support Specialist
22 August 2026
- GOV.UK — Register to vote (and update your details)
- Electoral Commission — Rolling registration guidance
- GOV.UK — Change your name by deed poll