deed poll

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deed poll

a deed in one part and signed only by the grantor. The ‘poll’ part refers to the fact that originally the edges of the deed were shaven, or ‘polled’. The phrase is seen mostly in the expression ‘change one's name by deed poll’, which refers to a declaration needed in England and Wales for a person to change his or her name.

DEED POLL, contracts. A deed made by one party only is not indented, but polled or shaved quite even, and is, for this reason, called a deed poll, or single deed. Co. Litt. 299, a.
2. A deed poll is not, strictly speaking, an agreement between two persons; but a declaration of some one particular person, respecting an agreement made by him with some other person. For example, a feoffment from A to B by deed poll, is not an agreement between A and B, but rather a declaration by A addressed to all mankind, informing them that he thereby gives and enfeoffs B of certain land therein described.
3. It was formerly called charta de una parte, and, usually began with these words, Sciant praesentes et futuri quod ego A, &c.; and now begins, "Know all men by these presents, that I, A B, have given, granted, and enfeoffed, and by these presents do give, grant and enfeoff," &c. Cruise, Real Prop. tit. 32, c. 1, s. 23.

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So I thought it was time to redress the balance after years of abuse when I read that more people than ever before are changing their name by deed poll.

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If you've suffered in the name department since your youth, if you want to change title after the end of a relationship or, like Frank, just want to forget your past and move on to a new life - then deed polls are the done thing.

Just call me Kavanagh Young Earnshaw Sam Cardiff 'Til I Dies Hammam. . .; (. . . and if that's a bit too much to remember, just plain Fred'll do! )

Yesterday, the highest bid stood at just pounds 30, before the UK Deed Poll Service's chief executive Mike Barratt stepped in with pounds 5,000.

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James Dr No From Russia With Love Goldfinger etc and, right, his deed poll certificate.

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A deed poll is only a formal declaration of intent, but it has no relevance if you use a different name in practice.

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Mike Barratt, UK Deed Poll Service chief executive, said: "There has been wonderful crop of bizarre names.

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He is understood to have changed his name by deed poll and when he returns to work, is expected to be wearing women's clothes and make-up

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Baron" George Fothergill pays pounds 50 for deed poll titles.

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A RECORD number of people changed their names by deed poll this year - including bizarre new ones for a sweets fanatic and a King of Pop lookalike.

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The Aussie could change his name by deed poll to Gerry Rafferty.

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Garry Hocking Australian Rules captain for Geelong, he takes to the field against Richmond having changed his name by deed poll for the day to 'Whiskers' as part of a special sponsorship deal.

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The King's biggest fan, who changed his name by deed poll so many years ago that no one knows his real name, died in hospital of heart problems and his funeral took place at an empty crematorium.