Certified copies of your deed poll
General UK name-change information, not individual legal advice. Requirements can vary by organisation and UK jurisdiction; where a decision matters, check the relevant official guidance.
A certified copy is a photocopy of your deed poll that a recognised professional has signed to confirm it is a true copy of the original. Some organisations ask to keep a certified copy rather than your original, so it is worth having a few prepared.
What a certified copy is
The certifier compares the photocopy with the original deed poll and writes or stamps "certified to be a true copy of the original", then signs, dates and adds their name and contact details. The certified copy then carries the same evidential weight as showing the original.
Who can certify a copy
- Solicitors, notaries and barristers.
- Teachers, doctors, dentists and pharmacists.
- Accountants and bank or building society managers.
- Post Office branches offering a document certification service.
Why organisations ask for them
An organisation that needs to retain evidence of your name change often prefers a certified copy so it does not have to take responsibility for your original. Having a few ready means you can send one off without losing access to your original.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need certified copies of my deed poll?▼
Not always, but it is useful to have a few. Some organisations ask to keep a certified copy rather than the original, so certified copies save you from sending your only original through the post.
Who can certify a copy of a deed poll?▼
A professional person such as a solicitor, notary, teacher, doctor, accountant, bank manager or a Post Office counter clerk offering a certification service. They write 'certified to be a true copy' and sign and date it.
Are ordinary photocopies accepted?▼
Many organisations accept a plain photocopy for their own records, but some insist on a certified copy. If an organisation needs to retain a copy, a certified copy is the safer choice.
Free tools to help your name change
No sign-up, no payment required.