I hope to move to somewhere in the south of England in the near future, leaving behind family rows which have been going on for the best part of 20 years. I would like to make it impossible for family members to trace me, so I’m planning to change my name. Can I legally do this when I enrol on the electoral register in my new home town?
Yes. But if you wish to change the name on your bank account, passport, with the Inland Revenue or DVLA you will have to provide evidence that you have adopted a new name. This will have to take the form of a change of name deed obtainable cheaply online or via a solicitor.