Petition · past parliament · Cabinet Office

Do not require deed polls to be enrolled to serve as a proof of name change

Closed 66 signatures

What the petition asks

Currently the government is considering changes to how deed polls are processed. In its response to a previous petition it says it intends to amend guidance so that only enrolled deed polls are accepted as a proof of name change.
Revoke the right of registered sex offenders to change their name by deed poll
Currently publicly enrolling deed polls is optional. Requiring them to be enrolled in this way will be harmful to abuse survivors and transgender people, amongst others. Doing this would make it a lot easier for abuse victims to be found by their abusers again – many change their name to get away from them. It could also potentially be used for hate crime purposes against trans people as you must declare your address on a deed poll. This is a dangerous precedent.

Timeline

19 Feb 2021 Petition opened for signatures
19 Aug 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 66
Status Closed
Department Cabinet Office
Opened 19 Feb 2021
Closed 19 Aug 2021

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.