Running electoral registration - England

Documentary evidence provided by an elector should show a clear link between the name under which an applicant is currently registered and the name to which they wish to change the entry.
Acceptable documents may include:

• marriage or civil partnership certificate
• overseas marriage or civil partnership certificate
• enrolled deed poll
• unenrolled deed poll or change of name deed
• statutory declaration or affidavit
• baptismal or confirmation certificate (for first names only)
• birth certificate
• certificate of naturalisation or registration
• adoption order/certificate

This list is not exhaustive and it is for you to decide whether a document constitutes satisfactory proof of the change of name of the elector.
Other documents that may be considered include:

• an amended birth certificate, this may occur if the holder had their forename changed within the first twelve months of their birth, or under some other circumstances
• an amended certificate of naturalisation, this may occur if the holder subsequently changed their name 
• registration, or an adoption order/certificate if the document has been amended and includes both the former name and the newer altered name

You should request copies of the evidence either by post or by electronic means. The applicant may attend your offices in person with either copies or original documents if they do not wish to send copies. Copies of documents provided by applicants, or taken by you of the original documents, must be stored securely in the same way as application forms.

You must be satisfied that the documents or copies provided appear to be genuine. If you have any doubts, or if the copy is of such poor quality that you cannot make an assessment, you may ask the applicant to present the original document(s) to you in person or to send original documents to be copied and returned. However you should be aware that you would become responsible for the secure transit of the document. 

Where there has been more than one change of name, the applicant should provide sufficient documentary evidence to show a clear link between their name as currently shown on the register and the name to which they wish to change the entry.

The following are examples of decisions that an ERO might take in determining a change of name application:

• An elector registered as John Smith would like to change his name on the register to John Smith-Brown. He provides a copy of a marriage certificate recording the marriage of John Smith and Alice Brown. The ERO considers this sufficient evidence, as the link can clearly be made between John Smith and John Smith-Brown from the surname of his wife.
• An elector registered as Lucy Jones would like to change her name on the register to Lucy Lewis. She provides a marriage certificate recording the marriage of Lucy Jones and Mike Green, and a deed poll proving Lucy Green’s change of name to Lucy Lewis. The ERO considers this sufficient evidence, as while there is no direct link between Lucy Jones and Lucy Lewis, the link between each of these and Lucy Green has been made.
• An elector registered as Jane Grey would like to change her name on the register to Jane Walsh. She provides a marriage certificate recording the marriage of Jane Walsh and Thomas Grey. The ERO considers this sufficient evidence, as the link can clearly be made between Jane Grey and Jane Walsh from her maiden name. 
• An elector registered as James Osborne would like to change his name on the register to James Smith. He provides a passport in the name of James Smith. The ERO does not consider this sufficient evidence, as it does not demonstrate the link between the two names.
• An elector registered as Michael Giggs would like to change his name on the register to Arthur Lucas. He provides a deed poll affirming the change of name of Michael Giggs to Arthur Lucas. The ERO considers this sufficient evidence, as the link between the two names is demonstrated.