Changing your name by deed poll

Information

In Ireland, a deed poll is a signed declaration by a person that binds him/her to a particular course of action from the date of signing. A deed poll for a change of name contains declarations (in other words a sworn statement or affadavit) that you are abandoning the use of your old name, that you will use your new name at all times and that you require everyone to use your new name.

Changing your name after marriage

There is no legal or other obligation on anyone in Ireland to change their name on marriage. The fact that some people do, is purely based on tradition and culture. They may for example wish to signify they have joined a new family, etc. and therefore take the new name - but this is purely a social/cultural choice and has no legal basis.

How you earn your name is by use and repute. Effectively this means for most purposes, if someone wants to be known by their married name (or any other), then they just use this name and ask people to call them by it.

The only way to legally record the change of name is by executing a deed poll.

The use of the title 'Miss' or 'Ms.' or 'Mrs.' in Ireland are cultural ones that indicate whether a woman is single or married. There is no basis in law stating you are required to use an appropriate title whether you are married or single. As people earn their name by use and repute, a woman is free to use whichever title she wishes before her name. Therefore, she is free to call herself Mrs. (single name) if she so chooses.

Changing the surname of a child

The surname of a child can be changed in the Register of Births but only in certain circumstances. However, the surname of a child can also be changed by deed poll or common usage. Children aged between 14 and 17 years can execute the Deed Poll themselves but need the consent of both parents. Where a child is under the age of 14 years, one of the child's parents must execute the Deed Poll with the consent of the other parent.

Enrolment of a deed poll

The advantage of changing your name by deed poll is that a record of the change is kept for future identification. This can be attached to your birth certificate, is acceptable for most administrative procedures and provides an easy and inexpensive solution to most of the difficulties that can arise when you change your name.

You can get a solicitor to do the deed poll for you or you can do it yourself.

If you apply to officially change your name in Ireland, your deed poll enrolls or registers your name change with the High Court.