If you have changed your name in the UK and need foreign authorities, employers or institutions to recognise it - for a foreign passport, immigration application, marriage abroad, overseas banking or employment - your Deed Poll will typically need an apostille. The correct route depends entirely on which format your deed is in. There are three accepted formats, and each leads to a slightly different process.

Your deed was signed by a solicitor or Notary Public

An original Deed Poll signed and certifed by a UK solicitor or Notary Public at the time it was executed can be submitted directly to the FCDO for apostille. The FCDO authenticates the wet-ink signature, seal or stamp of the solicitor or notary on the document. This is the most straightforward route and does not require any further preparation before submission.

Your deed was not signed by a solicitor - it was privately made

A privately created or unenrolled Deed Poll - one you created yourself or through an online service without solicitor involvement - can still be apostilled, but it must be certified by a solicitor or a Notary Public first.

You only have a copy

A photocopy or printout of a Deed Poll can be apostilled if it has been certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public as a true copy of the original. An uncertified copy carries no original signature or seal for the FCDO to authenticate and will be rejected. Do not post an uncertified copy - have it certified first.

Documents that cannot be apostilled

Unwitnessed deeds, deeds with missing signatures or dates, self-made documents without proper legal wording, laminated documents and uncertified photocopies are all rejected. If your deed does not meet the requirements for any of the three formats above, it will need to be remade before legalisation can proceed.

Supporting documents may also be needed

Many overseas authorities ask for a Deed Poll alongside other supporting documents such as a birth certificate, passport copy or marriage certificate - each of which may also need to be apostilled separately. For countries outside the Hague Convention, embassy attestation will be required after the apostille. Call our team on +44 (0) 204 630 6700 and we will confirm everything needed for your destination.