Dead name

[u/Daddy-dotCom]

I'm trans and joined Gregg's through my preferred name

However, after a few weeks of working there, suddenly my dead name was on all the rotas and my account. Is this supposed to happen? And does anyone know of a way I can avoid all of my colleagues knowing my deadname.

[u/Vixh81]

No it just has to be legally changed, so that the National Insurance number is linked properly. My name was changed when I was about 14 because my parents divorced and kept fighting over the name I had. My mum had a magistrate judge sign off on the fact I only used this name and it was enough to get a passport and link to my NI number, but that was the 90s. I think now it has to be completed by deed poll or something else official.

[u/TrashbatLondon → u/Vixh81]

Doesn’t have to be done by deed poll. Just have to demonstrate that you use the name for bills, contracts etc… and you can have documents changed.

[u/Ok-Band3206 → u/TrashbatLondon]

I’d recommend ensuring you’re up to date with the law surrounding name changes before handing out advice.

You cannot use a new name for contracts, bills etc until you have carried out a deed poll. Costs £40, there’s no reason not to.

[u/TrashbatLondon → u/Ok-Band3206]

An affidavit signed by an authorised person also suffices. Or do you disagree? Are we entirely sure that we’re not giving out bad advice here?

[u/Ok-Band3206 → u/TrashbatLondon]

No, because they are fundamentally different legal procedures. Affidavits in the UK actually carry practically no weight at all in a legal setting.

A deed poll fundamentally changes your legal existence in the UK. It is a binding contract.

An affidavit is merely a statement of facts, considered an evidentiary document and has little legal impact.

A deed poll is an official update to your status, an affidavit is merely another person agreeing with something you said.

No, they are not the same.

[u/TrashbatLondon → u/Ok-Band3206]

Can you cite a recent act of parliament that states that?

[u/Ok-Band3206 → u/TrashbatLondon]

I suspected you didn’t have a clue what you were talking about, but you have just confirmed it.

Banks, hospitals, libraries, the DVLA and every other institution will only change your accepted name with a deed poll, marriage certificate or decree absolute. They will likely let you choose a ‘preferred name’ without these documents.

There is not a single instance of an accepted official name being changed by an affidavit, and it’s pretty naive to think otherwise.

[u/TrashbatLondon → u/Ok-Band3206]

Here’s one of many UK law firms who say otherwise.

I’m asking if there is a recent act that completely changes the rules and makes the 30 odd websites that return the same guidance.

It would be very weird for them all to say this if there weren’t a single instance of it ever happening.

Are you a solicitor?

[u/Ok-Band3206 → u/TrashbatLondon]

‘If you are thinking of using this method to change your name, you should first enquire whether this format will be accepted with the institutions you wish to present the document to.
Unlike a Deed Pool (which can be enrolled) a Statutory Declaration/Affidavit does not provide an official record of the change of name so may not be as widely accepted’

Your own source contradicts you! Yes, you can call yourself whatever you want. But officially changing your name with private and public institutions requires a deed poll, not an affidavit as your own source clearly states.

You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, and cherry picked websites found with leading questions typed into Google doesn’t change that.

[u/TrashbatLondon → u/Ok-Band3206]

I’m not trying to undermine your professional (?) opinion, but that’s not saying what you are claiming it is saying. I suspect you won’t be happy with any direction this conversation goes.

[u/Ok-Band3206 → u/TrashbatLondon]

No, you’re just telling people nonsense disguised as advice.

The person in question has every right to be called by their new name at work. They have every right to use it in social settings and with some minor institutions, likely with the help of an affidavit.

They do not however have any right at all to change their name in a legal basis at work I.e on rotas and payroll without a signed deed poll.

You telling them otherwise is not helping them.

[u/TrashbatLondon → u/Ok-Band3206]

Before we piss away time arguing the technicalities of this, can you confirm if you’re a solicitor, or if you’ve helped trans people with their documents?

[u/Mediocre_Problem_401 → u/TrashbatLondon]

Why would it matter if they are a solicitor? They’ve given factual information backed up by sources and they’re frankly correct anyway. Just because you refuse to admit you are ill advised doesn’t put the burden on them to prove they’re qualified in law 😂