In the United Kingdom, it is totally acceptable for people to change their names. There are many reasons why people might go to such lengths to alter their names. A reason for this is they may not like the names they were given or they may simply be bored. There are many reasons why our parents would say they named us. Some people get named based on the current trend around before their birth, some others simply because the name sounded nice. Yet others got named just out of the ‘feeling’ the parent had at the time. Whatever the reason that is how you came about your personal name. It is your name, even though you had no active part in the naming ceremony apart from occasionally sucking your thumb. Some people may change their names for such trivial issues as the fact that they want to have names like their favorite celebrity.
I know that there are several other reasons why people would want to change their names. However I would like to address the processes involved in changing your names in the UK. A deed poll is often the bet for it. This is what is used in the UK to effect those name changes. These have even been in use since the year 1851. If you want to change your name or that of your child, there is a declaration you will have to make and it contains five simple paragraphs in your legal document.
Here are the statements:
• You must agree to severe all connections with your former name
• You will then assume total and complete use of your new name
• You will have a request embedded which will make everyone who will address you to call you by your new name.
• In cases were is can be applied, the Mr. or miss or otherwise will also me assumed.
You can change your names for as many times as you fancy.
There are different types of deed polls an I will go on to list them and explain them.
There is the adult deed poll. This is used for people who are over sixteen years of age and enables them to change their ages.
There is another aspect of the adult deed poll that concerns the gender title alone. This is open to people who are at least sixteen years old. This will redress and change the previous gender title of the bearer into something more acceptable.
There is also the child deed poll. It is the exclusive right for parents and guardians who wish to change the names of their young charge. This is for people below the ages of fifteen.
In the UK all British citizens are eligible to have their names changed. However for the child deed poll, the name change is required to be done by someone older. Adult deed polls can be done by the person concerned. This is provided the person is above sixteen years of age.