Practice Direction (Deed Poll: Minors)

Central Office
6^th August 1969

In consequence of difficulties which have arisen the Master of the Rolls  proposes, subject to the approval of Parliament, to amend the Enrolment of Deeds (Change of Name) Regulations so far as they govern applications to change the name of a minor.  He desires that in the meantime the following procedure should be observed:

1. (a) The statutory declaration required by regulation 4 should state the period during which the householder has known the minor and his parents respectively.
2. (b) If the minor is under 16, the deed poll should be executed by a parent or legal guardian or by a local authority in which parental rights are vested.
3. (c) If the minor is over 16, it may either be signed by him (in both his old and new names), or, if executed as in (b) above, his signed and duly witnessed consent should be indorsed upon it.
4. (d) In all cases the application should be supported by an affidavit showing that the change of name is for the benefit of the minor and that both parents join in or consent to the application, unless special reasons are shown why they cannot or do not do so.

B.A. Harwood
Senior Master
6^th August 1969