How to Change Your Name on a Registered Property Title After a Deed Poll [2026 HMLR Guide]

Eligibility — when you should update HMLR

• You are the registered proprietor of a freehold or leasehold title in England & Wales.
• You have legally changed your name (by deed poll, marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, statutory declaration or enrolled deed poll).
• You want the register to match your current name before a sale, transfer, mortgage or remortgage.

You do not need to update HMLR if you live in Scotland (use the NRS recording route), or if the property is not yet registered. Individually owned unregistered land is governed by your deeds, which you can update separately when needed.

Required documents

• Form AP1 (Application for alteration of register) — one per title.
• Evidence of name change — your witnessed unenrolled deed poll, or marriage / civil partnership certificate, or statutory declaration. If sending a copy, have it certified as a true copy by a solicitor (HMLR will usually return originals).
• Form ID1 (Statement of identity) — only required when the application also involves a transfer or charge (e.g. remortgage) and your identity needs verification, or in other cases HMLR considers higher-risk. A solicitor or conveyancer must certify it.
• Title number(s) — list every title affected on the same AP1.

Current costs

Exact process — step by step

1. Order your deed poll and arrange for it to be witnessed. Allow time for any hard-copy to arrive by post.
2. Locate the title number(s) for the property on the official copies you already hold, or order copies via the HMLR portal first if you don't have them.
3. Download form AP1 from gov.uk/hm-land-registry and complete one form per title.
4. Choose your submission channel: prefer the HMLR Portal if you have a conveyancer; otherwise post the AP1 to the relevant local HMLR office (a Citizen Service Centre deals with name changes by post).
5. Attach evidence: original or certified copy of your deed poll, and any ID1 forms.
6. Pay the fee by cheque (payable to "HM Land Registry") or via the portal.
7. Wait for completion — typically several weeks. HMLR will update the register and send written notice.
8. Order new official copies of the register and any title plan so you have updated records on file (small additional fee per copy).

Common mistakes

• Sending the original deed poll without keeping a copy — HMLR usually returns it but you may have to wait for it.
• Forgetting certified copies on identity — HMLR will reject uncertified copies of statutory declarations.
• Mixing titles in one AP1 — each title number should be on its own AP1, even when the name change is the same.
• Updating only your bank and not the register — a future sale will stall while the conveyancer reconciles the names.
• Noticing the address is also out of date on your deed poll and ordering a fresh deed poll before HMLR — get both names right first time, otherwise there's a fresh application for each additional amendment.

When an unenrolled deed poll is sufficient

For a straightforward change of name on the register — that is, you are the sole proprietor, there is no transfer, no charge being added or removed — HMLR accepts an unenrolled deed poll as evidence. The deed poll must be properly witnessed (two witnesses aged 18 or over) and, if you are sending a copy, certified as a true copy by a solicitor.

When HMLR might require something more

• Form ID1 if you are applying jointly with a transfer or mortgage, or if HMLR deems the application higher risk (often the case for high-value titles).
• Enrolled deed poll if proceeding via the High Court — historically the enrolled copy is the most authoritative form of proof, but it is not normally required for a name change on the register.
• Statutory declaration (notarised) in some Northern Ireland cases or where a copy is being submitted without certification.

Official source

Frequently asked questions