Deed poll


A deed poll is a legal document binding only to a single person or several persons acting jointly to express an active intention. It is, strictly speaking, not a contract because it binds only one party and expresses an intention instead of a promise.

Use for changing name

The most common use is a name change through a deed of change of name. Deeds poll are used for this purpose in countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Hong Kong and Singapore. In the UK, a deed poll can also be used to change a child's name, as long as everyone with parental responsibility for the child consents to it and the child does not object to it. The child's parents execute the deed poll on the child's behalf. In some other jurisdictions, a person may simply start using a new name without any formal legal process. The usual requirements are that the new name must be used exclusively and that the change must not be made with intent to defraud. In fact, under English law a person must notify every creditor when they change their name via deed poll.
In Australia, prior to 1 November 2000, name change was formerly accomplished by deed poll but now is done by completing a Change of Name form.

Other uses

Another common use is to partition land. This form of deed poll is commonly used in Hong Kong.
A deed poll may also be used for clergy of the Church of England to relinquish their holy orders.
Bonds, powers of attorney, and wills are also good examples of deed polls as they are made by grantor alone.

Origin of the term

The term "deed", also known in this context as a "specialty", is common to signed written undertakings not supported by consideration: the seal is deemed to be the consideration necessary to support the obligation. "Poll" is an archaic legal term referring to documents with straight edges; these distinguished a deed binding only one person from one affecting more than a single person.