Quote from: Papillon on June 24, 2010, 05:35:52 AM
If so, it costs only £33 to get your name changed by deed poll, and then you just take the certificate to your bank etc to get them to change your name on your official docs.

Incorrect. Name changes by deed poll are completely free. Anyone trying to charge you to do it is ripping you off.
To change your name by deed poll you need to find the correct wording for the document, fill your details in and print it out. Just sign it yourself and get two witnesses to sign it and it's legal. Accepted by the DVLA and the passport people.

Here's a website with the wording: http://www.gorge.org/experiences/deedpoll.shtml