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A deed poll is one form of valid proof of name change, however, there are other forms of documentation that are equally acceptable. You might not necessarily require a deed poll to change your name, depending on your circumstances and the kind of change you want to make.
Note that nothing
precludes you from proving your name change using a deed poll in addition to
other forms of evidence. The deed poll
or marriage certificate is used to alter your name rather than you changing
your name yourself. There is therefore
nothing wrong with confirming your name change in numerous places if that is
what you like to do.
In some cases, a deed
poll won't be necessary if you want to change your name. When you change your name, you must correctly
register it in some form; however, you may be able to use a record or
certification that you already have. If
you got married and want to take your spouse's name, you can present your
marriage certificate as evidence of the name change.
Your name legally changes
when you adopt a new name
There are a few select
instances in which you can record a Deed
poll name change on your birth register entry or re-register your birth
as an alternative to a deed poll. Legally, it makes no difference whether you
present proof of your name change on an altered birth certificate or a deed
poll. The record, whether it be a deed
poll or a birth certificate, solely serves to formally record the name change. The
majority of women or men who adopt their partner's surname do not want their
birth record entry to be permanently changed after their marriage or civil
partnership, which is by far the most common reason for name changes. A name change by deed poll is exactly the
same in concept as a name change by marriage or civil partnership, with the
exception that your deed poll is used as proof of your name change.