If you want to change a name by deed poll, the Judgments Section of the Central Office of the High Court will be your first port of call.
The Judgments Section/Deed Poll section will give you precedent wordings that you can use and adapt to your own particular circumstances and which will be used in your deed poll application.
Changing a Child’s Name
If the child is aged between 14 and 17 years, the child can execute/sign a deed poll with the consent of both parents.
If a child is under the age of 14 years, a parent who is a guardian must sign the deed poll with the consent of the other guardian. If this consent is not forthcoming you need to contact the Judgments Section of the Central Office of the High Court.
Documents Required
To change a name by deed poll you will need
- The deed poll printed on good quality strong paper-deed paper, parchment paper, or judicature paper is recommended
- An Affidavit of Attesting Witness-this is a sworn statement from the person who witnessed the execution/signing of the deed poll
- The Original Birth Certificate of the person who wants to change name.
There is a stamping fee of €35 which will need to be stamped on the deed poll.
All documents to do with your deed poll application must be lodged by hand in the Judgments Section of the Central Office of the High Court.
Foreign Nationals
A foreign national must first obtain a change of name licence from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration (INIS) before filling out a deed poll. A British citizen does not need a licence but will need a letter from the INIS confirming this for the Deed Poll section of the High Court.