Apostille Deed Poll — How to Legalise Your Name Change for International Use
Changing your name is easy. Getting it recognised worldwide? A bit harder… That’s where we come in.
From Deed Poll to Apostille, we’ll make sure your new name gets the legal respect it deserves.
We take care of the whole process.
Apostille Deed Poll – What is it ?
If you’ve changed your name via a Deed Poll document in the United Kingdom, that’s only half the job. To use your new name abroad — for things like bank accounts, driving licences, passport applications, or with foreign authorities— you’ll need an apostille certificate on your original deed poll.
This proves the document is genuine, legal, and officially recognised by countries signed up to the Hague Convention.
When You Need to Apostille a Deed Poll
You need to apostille your Deed Poll if you’re:
- Moving abroad
- Getting married overseas (or entering a civil partnership)
- Opening international bank accounts
- Applying for visas, residency, or government ID
- Changing the name on Criminal Records, tax records (e.g. HM Revenue), or National Insurance number
Process to Apostille Deed Poll (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Make sure your Deed Poll is valid
- Signed, witnessed, and dated properly
- Must be an original Deed Poll, not just a copy of your Deed Poll
Step 2: Get a Notary Public to certify the document in one of three ways
- Get a Notary Public witness your signature on your Deed Poll to certify that you have signed it and it is valid.
- If you have already signed the Deed Poll and want to keep the original. Get a Notary Public to certify true copy your Deed Poll. You will need to show the Notary the original document. The Notary will take a copy and certify that the copy is a true copy of the original UK Deed Poll. Common for
- If you’ve already signed the Deed Poll and want to send it overseas – get the Notary Public to certify that a Deed Poll is a legal method to change a name in the UK.
Step 3: After you have Notary certification – send it for Apostille
- Submit to the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in Milton Keynes
- We can do this for you giving guaranteed processing times on a Premium (next day) or Standard (five day) service.
- You will receive a paper apostille fixed to your certified Deed Poll — with an Apostille Stamp for international recognition
Step 4: Use your legalised change of name deed globally
Use it for official tasks as official document with foreign governments, local authorities, and banks… court documents, educational certificates, or business documents
Accepted in over 120 countries part of the Hague Convention.
Give us a call now on our phone number, or fill in the form below using your email address.
What Documents Can You Apostille Along With a Deed Poll?
You can bundle your Deed Poll with:
- Proof of ID: certified true copy passport or driving licence
- Supporting proof of address docs: e.g. certified true copy bank statements, and utility bills
- Educational certificate and academic documents – see our Certify Degree page
- Criminal Records checks like ACRO Police Certificates (Apostille directly) or DBS Police Certificates (needs notarisation)
- Certificate of naturalisation
- Company documents if name change affects directorship (e.g. Identity of Directors)
- Companies House documents
- Certificate of incorporation
- Articles of association
Real-World Scenarios (And What to Watch Out For)
- A UK national changing their surname post-marriage needs their Deed Poll apostilled for their Spanish residency application
- A dual citizen correcting their educational certificates abroad following a legal name change
- A UK entrepreneur updating their company registration after legally changing their name
- Original deed poll document
- Valid photo ID (passport or driving licence)
- Proof of address (e.g., bank statement or utility bill)
- Payment method (we accept credit card)
- Contact details: Phone number, email address
You may also need a Statutory Declaration or a solicitor’s confirmation depending on how the Deed Poll was executed.
🗣 Additional Services You Might Need
- Translation Services for use in non-English-speaking countries
- Legalisation at a foreign embassy (if not a Hague Convention country)
- Company name change support for Articles of Association or Companies House updates
Book Your Apostille Now
Call us on +442074992605
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
An apostille certifies your UK Deed Poll so it can be officially recognised abroad. It confirms the document’s authenticity for use in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.
You only need an apostille if you plan to use your new name overseas — such as for visas, banking, residency, or foreign government documents.
No — unless it has been certified as a “true copy” by a UK solicitor or notary. Most authorities require the original Deed Poll.
Standard processing is 2–5 working days. We also offer same-day express services upon request.
You’ll need your original Deed Poll, photo ID (passport or driving licence), and proof of address (like a bank statement or utility bill).
Yes — in over 120 countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. For others, embassy legalisation may be needed.
Yes. We take care of document checks, certification (if needed), submission to the FCDO, and return delivery with the apostille securely attached.