Statutory declaration for name change - Legal UK process explained

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Changing your name in the UK doesn’t always require a deed poll.

A statutory declaration for name change offers a formal, legally recognised alternative that’s particularly useful if you’re in Scotland or need your documents authenticated for international use.

This guide explains what statutory declarations are, when you need one, and how to get yours sorted properly.

What is a statutory declaration of name change?

A statutory declaration is a written statement you make under oath, confirming you’re abandoning your old name and adopting a new one.

It’s governed by the Statutory Declarations Act 1835, which makes it a legally binding document.

The key difference from other name change documents is that you must sign it in front of an authorised person, usually a solicitor, notary public, or commissioner for oaths.

They’ll verify your identity, watch you sign, then add their own signature and official stamp.

The declaration must include the prescribed legal wording from the Statutory Declarations Act 1835, confirming you conscientiously believe the declaration to be true under the provisions of that Act.

HM Passport Office and other government bodies may reject your document without this exact wording.

Making a false statutory declaration is a criminal offence under the Perjury Act 1911, punishable by up to two years in prison.

Statutory declaration vs. deed poll: key differences

Both documents legally change your name, but they work differently.

Here’s how they compare:

Feature	Statutory Declaration	Deed Poll
Witness requirement	Must be signed before a solicitor, notary, or commissioner for oaths	Any independent adult over 18 can witness
Can be enrolled	No	Yes (£50.32 at Royal Courts of Justice)
Best for	Scotland, international use, non-UK citizens	England, Wales, Northern Ireland (domestic use)
Legal weight	Higher formality due to the oath requirement	Legally valid but less formal
International acceptance	Widely accepted, especially when notarised	Often rejected by foreign authorities

In Scotland, statutory declarations are the standard method for changing your name. Deed polls aren’t commonly used or recognised by Scottish authorities. If you live north of the border, you’ll almost certainly need a statutory declaration.

For international use, statutory declarations are often preferred. Many foreign governments and embassies require documents that have been notarised or witnessed by legal professionals, which a standard deed poll doesn’t provide.

If you’re planning to use your name change document abroad, you’ll likely need it apostilled. London Apostille Services Ltd can help you apostille your statutory declaration or apostille your deed poll for international recognition.

Infographic showing the key components of a statutory declaration for name change.

When to use a statutory declaration for changing your name

You’ll need a statutory declaration instead of a deed poll in several situations:

If you live in Scotland: The Scottish system doesn’t recognise unenrolled deed polls in the same way England and Wales do. Statutory declarations are accepted by the National Records of Scotland, banks, and other Scottish institutions as standard proof of name change.
When you’re not a British citizen: Many embassies and immigration services require notarised statutory declarations from foreign nationals changing their names in the UK.
If organisations specifically request one: Some banks, professional bodies, and government departments prefer statutory declarations over deed polls. While HM Passport Office accepts both, you might find certain institutions want the extra formality.
When you need multiple name changes documented: If you’ve changed your name several times and need to show a clear legal trail, statutory declarations provide better documentation than multiple deed polls.

Steps to changing your name with a statutory declaration

Getting a statutory declaration is straightforward.

Here’s what you need to do:

Prepare your identification: Gather your current photo ID (passport or driving licence) and proof of address dated within the last three months. A utility bill, bank statement, or council tax notice works fine.
Choose your new name: Pick any name you like, but it must be pronounceable and can’t include numbers or symbols (hyphens are fine). You can’t choose a name to commit fraud or evade debts.
Write or obtain the declaration form: You can draft your own using a template or ask a solicitor to prepare it for you. If you draft it yourself, make sure it includes all the required legal wording and follows the proper format.
Find an authorised witness: Contact a local solicitor, notary public, or commissioner for oaths to book an appointment. Most high-street solicitors can do this with same-day or next-day availability. If your document is for international use, go straight to a notary public.
Attend your appointment: You must appear in person. Remote signing isn’t accepted for statutory declarations. The witness will check your ID, watch you sign the document, then add their signature, date, and stamp. You’ll need to sign using both your old name and your new name on the form.
Get certified copies: Request several certified copies immediately. Most organisations want certified copies rather than originals, and it’s easier to get them done at the same time as your declaration.

The whole process usually takes less than 30 minutes once you’re at the appointment.

UK statutory declaration template and wording example

Your statutory declaration must contain specific wording to be legally valid.

You can download our free statutory declaration template that includes all the required legal language, or use the format below:

STATUTORY DECLARATION OF CHANGE OF NAME

I, [New Full Name] (formerly [Old Full Name]), of [Your Full Address], DO SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY DECLARE as follows:

I was formerly called [Old Full Name] and am a citizen of the United Kingdom.
I absolutely and entirely renounce, relinquish, and abandon the use of my former name of [Old Full Name] and assume, adopt, and determine to take and use the names of [New Full Name] in substitution of my former name.
I shall at all times hereafter in all records, deeds, documents, and other writings and in all actions and proceedings, as well as in all dealings and transactions and on all occasions whatsoever, use and subscribe the said name of [New Full Name] in substitution for my former names of [Old Full Name] so relinquished as aforesaid.
I authorise and require all persons at all times to designate, describe, and address me by the adopted name of [New Full Name].

AND I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the STATUTORY DECLARATIONS ACT 1835.

Signed: _________________ (as [Old Name])

Signed: _________________ (as [New Name])

DECLARED at [Location] this [day] day of [month] [year] before me [Witness name and designation]

The witness section is completed by your solicitor or notary. Don’t fill that bit in yourself.

Who can sign a statutory declaration in the UK?

Not everyone can witness a statutory declaration.

The law restricts it to specific authorised people:

Solicitors with a valid practising certificate can witness statutory declarations.
Commissioners for Oaths are appointed by the Lord Chancellor specifically to administer oaths and witness declarations. Many solicitors are also commissioners for oaths.
Notaries public can witness declarations and are essential if you need the document for international use.
Justices of the Peace and magistrates are authorised witnesses.
Armed forces officers at Major, Lieutenant Commander, or Squadron Leader rank and above can witness declarations for service personnel.
British diplomats and consular officers can witness declarations for UK citizens living abroad.
Local councillors in Scotland have been authorised to witness statutory declarations since December 2007.

Your witness must be independent. They can’t be related to you, acting as your legal adviser on a connected matter, or involved in drafting the document.

They need to verify your identity before witnessing your signature.

Visual showing all authorised witnesses for statutory declarations in the UK.

Legalising your name change declaration for overseas use

If you’re using your name change document abroad, it usually needs additional authentication.

The process depends on which country you’re dealing with.

For Hague Convention countries

For countries that are party to the Hague Apostille Convention (including all EU nations, the USA, Canada, Australia, and over 120 others), you need an apostille from the FCDO Legalisation Office.

An apostille is an official certificate that confirms your document is genuine.

The FCDO offers two service options:

1

Standard apostille: £45 per document, processed within three or more weeks
2

e-Apostille: £35 per document, processed within two working days

For your statutory declaration to be apostilled, it must be witnessed by a solicitor or notary whose signature the FCDO can verify.

Starting with a notary public makes the process smoother if you know you’ll need international authentication.

For non-Hague countries

Countries not part of the Hague Convention (such as the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Egypt) require a more complex process called embassy attestation.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1

Get your FCDO apostille first
2

Take the apostilled document to the relevant embassy in London
3

Pay for their attestation stamp (fees vary by embassy)
4

Wait for processing (can take several weeks)

This multi-step process can be time-consuming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with embassy requirements or working to tight deadlines.

Let us handle your document legalisation

Getting an apostille through the FCDO directly means:

1

Handling the paperwork yourself,
2

Posting documents,
3

Waiting weeks for processing, and
4

Dealing with any rejections if something’s not right.

Without FCDO registration, you’re stuck with these long timelines.

That’s why people use London Apostille Services Ltd to handle the entire legalisation process, from notarisation through to apostille and embassy attestation.

As an FCDO-registered agent, our next-day service (our most popular option) gets your apostille the next business day, and our standard UK apostille service processes it in three to four business days.

With over 15 years of experience, we make sure your documents are properly authenticated the first time, saving you the hassle of resubmissions and delays.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your document legalisation needs.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to common questions about statutory declarations and name changes:

At what age can you legally change your name in the UK?

You can change your name independently from the age of 16 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, you can apply to the National Records of Scotland from age 16.

Under 16, your parents or guardians must apply on your behalf with consent from everyone holding parental responsibility.

Do I need a solicitor to make a statutory declaration?

Yes, but not necessarily. You need an authorised witness, which includes solicitors, notaries public, commissioners for oaths, justices of the peace, and in Scotland, local councillors. A solicitor is the most common choice because they’re widely available.

For documents going abroad, use a notary public from the start. Their signature is internationally recognised and simplifies the apostille process later.

How much does a statutory declaration for a name change cost?

The statutory fee for witnessing is £5, set by the Commissioners for Oaths (Fees) Order 1993.

However, real-world costs vary:

High-street solicitors, following the statutory rate, charge £5–£7.
Some solicitors add an appointment fee of £20–£30 on top.

Notaries public aren’t bound by the £5 statutory fee.

Can I use a statutory declaration to change my child's name?

Yes, but you need consent from everyone with parental responsibility. If you can’t get consent, you’ll need a court order. In Scotland, children aged 16 and over can change their own names without parental consent.

Is a statutory declaration permanent?

No. You can change your name again whenever you want by making a new statutory declaration or deed poll. There’s no formal revocation process. You simply create a new document adopting whatever name you choose, including reverting to a previous name.

Scotland does impose limits, though. You can only change your forename once and your surname up to three times, with five-year gaps between surname changes. These restrictions apply to changes recorded with the National Records of Scotland.

Frequent name changes might attract scrutiny from banks and government departments. Changing your name to avoid debts or criminal liability is fraud and a criminal offence.