Deed Poll

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Deed Poll

For legal purposes, a name change must be in the form of a Deed Poll which is a statement on a specific form signed, witnessed, and passed by the Royal Court. The Deed Poll is then registered at the Judicial Greffe.

An application for the registration of a deed poll may be made by any person of full age (18) who is ordinarily resident in Jersey. For the changing of a name for a minor, please seek legal advice due to the CHILDREN (JERSEY) LAW 2002

Please see the attached Deed poll document Here. This contains examples of Deed polls and further guidance.

Guidelines for registering deed poll:

These guidelines are to help you select the appropriate deed poll and demande (application) that you need and type up the documents.  The deed poll will need to be witnessed and signed by an advocate/solicitor or notary public, the demande you sign yourself and you need a court stamp receipt to the value of £75 fee can be paid on line using a debit or credit card via on line payments form available at Court fees – Courts.je Department select “Samedi Division” application Select “Deed Poll”

Required to provide:

Ordinary residence: Confirmation of how long the applicant (or minor, where the request is being made on a minor’s behalf) has been ordinarily resident in Jersey.

Evidence of names to date:  Receipt of certified copies of the following in respect of all applicants (alternatively, original documentation should be presented at Judicial Greffe reception for validation as an original and copy for our records):

  • Birth certificate
  • Any marriage certificates and any acts confirming dissolution of previous marriages
  • Any previous deed polls or other legal acts changing the name of the applicant.

 

Photo Identification and Proof of Address verification for all signatories: This is required for all applicants (including parents where signing deed poll in respect of a minor) and other signatories to such deed poll (excluding witnesses) (for example, where a spouse has endorsed their written consent on the deed poll, we will require ID verification/proof of address in respect of that signature).

Photo identification and Proof of Address is provided by either of the following methods:

  • The applicant/representor/signatory presents themselves at the Judicial Greffe with Photo Identification and copy of copy proof of address (dated within the last 3 months) to confirm their identity and signature of applicable documents.
  • The applicant/representor/signatory submits a ‘wet-ink’ certified copy of their Photo Identification and copy proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), certified by a suitable certifier, to the Judicial Greffe when submitting their documentation.

For the above purposes:

“Photo Identification” means a full current passport, a current driving licence, or such other official documents bearing a photograph and signature (such as a current national identity card) as may be acceptable to the Judicial Greffe (acting in its absolute discretion) from time to time.

“Proof of Address”: means the following documents, not dated more than 3 months previously: correspondence form a government department, bank statement, utility bills or such other document as may be acceptable to the Judicial Greffe (acting in its absolute discretion) from time to time.

“Suitable Certifier” may include any of the following, who must state their full name and capacity in which they are signing (self-certification or certification by a family member or close relation is not acceptable):

  • a member of the judiciary, a senior civil servant, or a serving police or customs officer;
  • an officer of an embassy, consulate or high commission of the country of issue of documentary evidence of identity; or
  • an accountant, doctor, practicing lawyer or notary public who is a member of a recognised professional body.

Certification language: In addition to language confirming the certifier has seen the original of the document and that it is a complete and accurate copy of the original document, the certification of photo identification must include wording certifying that the photograph contained in the document bears a true likeness to the individual that has requested certification of the document.

Once the all the above has happened please place in an envelope marked for my attention this will take 15 working days.