Service summary:
  • We can apostille an original if solicitor-certified
  • In most cases, we apostille a ‘copy’ of the deed poll
  • The apostille process takes 2-3 days and starts from £79.

To get an apostille for a Deed Poll, it first needs to be signed by a solicitor or notary public. Most Deed Polls are not solicitor-signed when created.

If your Deed Poll was not solicitor-signed originally, a copy can be certified by a solicitor as a true copy and then issued with an apostille. 

To get an apostille for the original Deed Poll, you need to have a solicitor sign it as a witness or certify it as original. 

What it is:  

A UK deed poll is a legal document that proves that you have legally changed your name.

Frequently used for:

A deed poll may be requested:

  • When getting married abroad
  • When you emigrate to another country
  • When you want to apply for a visa
  • When you want to apply for an overseas residency card

Original or copy:

The apostille can only be applied to the certified copy of the original.

This is due to UK regulations that prevent private documents from being apostilled directly.

Good to know:

Deed polls can be either unenrolled or enrolled, and we can legalise both types.

Replacement documents:

Since there is no deed poll register in the UK, you must draw up a new, original deed poll with a solicitor or notary public or get a free deed poll via the official UK government online service. [4]

How much does it cost?

You can have your UK deed poll legalised using our standard service that starts from £79.

Additional costs will depend on what service you choose (same-day service) if you need certification by a UK solicitor, embassy fees or translation fees and what return delivery method you choose.

How to order:

Order a straightforward apostille for a UK deed poll online via our website. You can choose additional options on the order page. If you have questions, please call our head office, and speak to one of our trained advisors.

What is legalising a deed poll?

Legalising a deed poll is the process of the UK government authenticating the signatures on the deed as genuine. Using the document in a country other than the UK, the document must be legalised as per the Hague Convention. [2]

Additional legalisation steps are required if the country is not part of the Hauge Convention.

In what circumstances do you need a deed poll legalised?

You must legalise the deed poll if you need to use it outside the UK or if an overseas authority has requested legalisation.

Legalising the deed poll means the UK FCDO verifies the signature, seal, or stamp on the solicitor-certified deed poll document. However, the FCDO attached apostille only confirms the signature, not that the deed pool document is genuine.

Download a free deed poll template

Download deed poll word doc version
Download deed poll google doc version
Download deed poll pdf version

How should the deed poll be certified so it won’t be rejected for the apostille?

The deed poll must be certified by a practising UK solicitor or notary public. The person changing their name must have their signature witnessed when signing the document.

Anyone can be a witness, but if you intend to get the document legalised, we recommend signing the document in the presence of a UK solicitor or notary public. [3]

Suppose the document was already witnessed by an individual who is not a legal official, which means it was signed by ‘private signatories’. In that case, the document should be countersigned by a solicitor or a notary for the apostille to be issued.

Whoever signs your deed pool, that signature must be registered with the UK FCDO office. Often UK solicitors or notary public are registered with the FCDO; hence we recommend you use their service.

Types of deed polls that can be legalised:

  • Standard deed poll
  • Replacement deed poll
  • Retrospective deed poll
  • Complex deed poll
  • Physically impaired deed poll
  • Enrolled deed poll
  • Unenrolled deed poll
  • Copy deed poll
  • DIY deed poll
  • Adult deed poll
  • Family deed poll
  • Child deed poll

How can I get my deed poll certified if I am already abroad?

If you are already in a foreign country and would like to have our deed poll legalised, there are two options:

  • Take it to your local British Embassy or consulate or high commission and ask them to certify it (or to certify a photocopy as true). There will normally be a fee for this service, and not all diplomatic missions will offer the service.
  • Send it to a solicitor or notary public based in the UK to have it certified.

Note that if your deed poll were originally executed outside the UK, you wouldn’t be able to have it legalised in the UK.

Preventing fraud trying to get a legalised deed poll

Changing your name is, in most cases, used for legitimate reasons, but there are instances where changing names can aid fraudulent activities.

Changing your name in the UK is FREE, so be wary of those that charge a fee. [4]

  • For people with convictions, it is generally because they want a fresh start. But criminals can change names by deed poll without declaring convictions.
  • It has been known that people are trying to use deed polls not to have to declare bankruptcy records or avoid repaying debt.
  • Some people have tried to use deed polls to register fake titles or honours.
  • Deed polls have also been used in the past to commit electoral fraud.

Our solicitor and notary public will perform their due diligence for ID verification as UK law requires to prevent fraud. [5]

Can I legalise a statutory declaration or affidavit as well?

Yes, deed polls, statutory declarations, and affidavits are often used together, and customers wishing to have them legalised together should contact us for discounts offered.

This article has been written by experts and fact-checked by experts. We only link to high-quality sources like government information & data, original reporting and interviews with industry experts. Reputable publishers are also sourced and cited where appropriate to support the facts within our articles.

[1] Hague Member Countries
https://apostillelondon.com/hague-convention-countries/

[2] The Hague Convention
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/apostille

[3] Notary public service in London
https://apostillelondon.com/notary-public/

[4] Change your name by deed poll
https://www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll

[5] What identification does a notary public require?
https://apostillelondon.com/notary-public/#what-id-does-a-notary-require